Fiberglass bonnet

[Robbo5390]

Hi all,
Just wondering if fiberglass bonnets are legal, couldnt find any threads. More specifically the ones off ebay, has anyone had one or seen one before, are they any good?
Cheers

[TVR-190]

Pretty sure they aint, as they dont crumple like a normal bonnet and its a safety issue

[Robbo5390]

cheers,
thought there might be safety issues, but the only ones on ebay are fiberglass, whats a bonnet from a wreckers cost. vy commodore btw.

[_R_J_K_]

cheers,
thought there might be safety issues, but the only ones on ebay are fiberglass, whats a bonnet from a wreckers cost. vy commodore btw.

All relative to where you live and which wrecker you decide to buy from. Anywhere from $150 to $250 or even $300.

Looked at Holmart lately? They have them going for $245.
Holden Commodore VY BONNET

[UFO]

my thoughts on what RTA Vicroads etc would be concerned with:

a) metal is a maluable material... so in an impact the bonnet bends but doesnt break/snap like fiberglass or carbon fibre

b) most aftermarket bonnets have non standard vents. this is definitely a nono from both a pedestrian safety point of view and also from the fact that it can expose hot/moving parts of the engine... or allow hot/moving parts to escape in the event of a malfunction. even a fiberglass bonnet with no vents is questionable, because it's not going to be able to withstand as much impact from a moving part as a metal bonnet (next time you have the hood up, look at all the bracing underneath... very strong). even though fibreglass can be made to be very strong, you typically have to thicker... and this will cause its own problems with weight. A metal bonnet, whilst only covered with sheet metal, is heavily braced and sheet metal itself is more forgiving when struck.

c) metal is going to be better in containing hot oil and other engine liquids in the event of a failure. hot oil is probably not going to react too well with fibreglass . another reason why aftermarket vents aren't allowed... a radiator hose gives way and you got a vent that allows that liquid all over the front windscreen, thats a major safety issue.

d) heat from the engine itself. the thermal properties of metal are much better suited to covering the engine bay. a metal bonnet will absorb and quickly disepate the heat created. a fiberglass or carbon fibre bonnet would be like a woolen blanket. keep the heat in and not be able to cool down as quick.

stick to metal imo