How to Install a C7 Corvette Hood

There is nothing more satisfying than installing a new hood on your 2014+ C7 Corvette! ACS Composite offers a range of different styles of hoods to suit your Corvette's style and performance needs. Whether you are looking for a ZR1 style hood, or something more unique like our Zero7 Hood for your custom build, ACS Composite has you covered.

ACS Composite has a history spanning over 20 years, beginning as a manufacturer for major OEMs like Ford and GM. We built a strong reputation for producing high-quality fiberglass panels such as the Ford GT Hood!

Today, our focus is on aftermarket Corvette performance accessories and parts, leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques and maintaining a commitment to producing in North America. Our expertise lies in fiberglass and plastic injection, ensuring top-notch durability and quality. Check more of our work on our Portfolio page.

In this guide, we will walk you through step-by-step how to install your new hood, including important adjustments to get the perfect fit and minimal gaps.

What to Expect with Your ACS Hood

ACS Composite hoods are crafted from high-quality RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) Composite. This material is known for its strength, durability, as well as crashability, making it an ideal choice for high-performance vehicles like the Corvette. The hood arrives with a vinyl ester primer topcoat ensuring it's ready for the final paint preparation.

These C7 Corvette hoods are designed to provide an excellent fit and finish comparable to C7 OEM hood standards. They come reinforced with metal brackets at critical points such as the latch and hinge areas ensuring structural integrity and safety. The design includes features like crush initiators that allow the hood to crumple in a controlled manner in the event of a collision, enhancing safety.

For our best C7 performance hood, consider the C7 ZR1 Hood. This hood is designed to fit perfectly and enhance your Corvette's aggression. If you are doing a C7 ZR1 conversion, then this will be your final piece of the puzzle.

Before installation, you'll need to do some light sanding to break through the gel coat and bring it to a ready-to-paint state. The hood is designed to be easy to work with, making the preparation process simple.

Step-by-Step Installation of the ACS Composite C7-ZR1 Hood

Step 1: Pre-Installation Preparation

First, read all the instructions provided with your ACS Composite C7 Corvette hood. This helps avoid mistakes during the installation process. Begin by removing the front wheel deflectors located in front of the wheel. Retain these deflectors and their mounting screws, as they can be reinstalled later.

Removing the front bumper is a crucial step since it gives you the necessary access to the hood’s mounting points. The C7 Corvette's hood, fenders, and bumper are assembled in a specific order, so disassembly is important to get the right alignment.

This is also a good opportunity to install or upgrade your Corvette’s front grill since you will need to remove the front bumper. Check out our latest C7 performance mod, the Five7 Grill installation. We show you how to remove the C7 front bumper.

Step 2: Removing the Front Bumper

To begin, you’ll need to remove the front bumper to access the hood’s mounting points:

• Remove the 12 fasteners on the fascia (body-colored portion) and the 4, 10 mm bolts on the rear-most edge of the lower cover panel. For non-Z51 cars, remove the 7 mm bolts for the central deflector and slide out the lower cover panel.
• Remove 3, T15 Torx screws from the front wheel liners on both sides of the car.
• Open the hood and remove the two plastic covers on each side of the fender to access the 4 Torx bolts along the upper edge of the bumper cover. Remove the two scrivets along the same edge.
• Pull the front wheel arch edge (where side markers are located) away from the liners, and unplug the side markers.
• Gently pull upward on the bumper cover next to each headlight on the areas where the bumper cover meets each fender, near the hood. Some force may be required to slide the square tabs off the snaps.
• Place the fascia on a well-protected surface using foam or blankets to prevent scratching the painted surface.

Step 3: Removing Hardware from the Hood

With the front bumper removed, you can now proceed to remove the hood:

• Disconnect the gas struts on either side of the hinge.
• Using a 13 mm socket and the help of an assistant, remove the 4 hinge bolts located at the front of the hood.
• Carefully remove the OEM hood.
• Take this opportunity to remove the latches and bump stops from the OEM hood, as these will be needed for the new hood.

Step 4: Adjusting the Hood on the Hinges

Install the ACS hood using the 4 bolts from the previous step. To relieve any stress on the hinges, use the two M8 bolts on the rails for horizontal adjustments. Ensure the hinges are parallel to prevent any stress on the hood. This alignment is vital for a smooth and precise fit.

With the hood raised, loosen the hinge bolts slightly and pull the hood forward as much as possible. Snug the hinge bolts just enough to hold the hood in this position, but don’t fully tighten them yet. Close the hood slowly with the help of an assistant, making sure it doesn't hit the fascia or fenders. The hood should sit about 1” too high near the front edge relative to the fenders. Apply pressure to the hood surface to lower it flush with the fascia and fender (you are only adjusting the front section).

Step 5: Aligning the Hood

Adjust the hood from left to right and front to back using the bolts on the mounting hinges. Make sure the tip of the hood is about 3-4 mm behind the fender. This prevents any interference with the bumper and ensures a clean, gap-free look.

If you need left-to-right adjustability, loosen the horizontal rail bolts holding the hinge pivoting system to the car’s rails.

Step 6: Height Adjustment

Adjust the height of the hood using the two vertical bolts. This ensures the hood aligns properly with the fenders and front bumper, giving it a seamless fit. Install the bump stops and adjust the height in the rear of the hood.

Step 7: Rear Latch Mechanism Adjustment

Reinstall the latch hardware from the stock hood using the two 10mm bolts. Adjust the latch loop on the hood and fine-tune the car’s latch mechanism to match the desired height. This ensures the hood closes smoothly and securely.

Reconnect the gas struts and ensure all alignments and clearances are correct. Tighten all bolts securely to complete the installation. This final check ensures everything is in place and functioning correctly.

Final Preparation and Painting

Before painting, the hood needs proper preparation. Start by sanding the hood lightly to smooth the surface. Use 200-grit sandpaper initially, followed by 300-400 grit for a finer finish. We recommend painting the inside of the hood with carbon flash black or satin black. This gives a clean and professional look, especially when viewed from the driver's seat.

If further adjustments are needed, make them before reinstalling the bumper. Reattach the bumper by reversing the removal steps. For the best results, have a professional painter handle the final painting process. They have the expertise and equipment to achieve a flawless finish.

If you have a C6 Corvette, check out our C6 Corvette Hoods.

Video Guide

As a supplmentary resource to this guide, Joseph offers additional insight behind installing and adjusting your new ACS Corvette Hood:

Take Your Corvette to the Next Level

Installing an ACS Composite hood on your C7 Corvette is a great way to improve its look and performance. The process involves careful preparation, adjustment, and painting. Following this step-by-step guide ensures a smooth and successful installation.

Ready to upgrade your Corvette? Visit the ACS Composite website to get your C7 ZR1 Hood today. Transform your Corvette and enjoy the enhanced performance and sleek new look!