Next Level Performance
August 14, 2026 • 10 min read
Our Verdict
Start with a carbon fiber hood — it is the biggest, most visible weight save on the FR-S and BRZ.
For most 2013-2016 Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota 86 owners, the Seibon TS-Style carbon fiber hood is the best first upgrade: it strips roughly 15 lbs off the nose, adds functional heat extraction, and bolts to the factory hinges and latch in under an hour. Step up to the dry carbon roof and CSL trunk once the front end is done.
Shop Our Top Pick →Swapping factory steel for carbon fiber is the single most effective way to cut weight from a 2013-2016 Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, or Toyota 86. The gen-1 twins (chassis codes ZN6 and ZC6) left the factory near 2,760 lbs, and every pound you shave off the hood, roof, and trunk lowers that number and drops the car’s center of gravity. This install and fitment guide covers the Seibon carbon fiber body parts we stock at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL — from a $1,170 OEM-style hood to the flagship $2,520 dry carbon roof — and exactly how to fit them.
Why Carbon Fiber Is the FR-S & BRZ’s Best Weight Mod
Carbon fiber body parts are lightweight composite replacements for the FR-S/BRZ’s factory steel and plastic panels, molded from woven carbon cloth and resin to shed weight while keeping the exact factory shape and mounting points. That matters because carbon panels remove weight from the highest and farthest points of the chassis, which sharpens handling more than shedding the same weight low and central. On the FR-S and BRZ, the factory steel hood weighs roughly 28-30 lbs; a Seibon carbon replacement runs 12-15 lbs, a swing of about 15 lbs off the very front of the car. Do the roof and trunk too and you can pull 25-35 lbs off a chassis that already tips the scales at just ~2,760 lbs.
Seibon panels are hand-laid CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer) over a fiberglass substructure, finished in a 2x2 twill weave under a UV-resistant clear coat. Because the low-slung FA20 boxer engine already keeps the FR-S/BRZ center of gravity down, trimming mass from the hood and roof is where you feel the biggest gain in turn-in response and front-end agility. Weight also comes off the sprung and, for the hood, the front axle line — both help the car rotate.
Key Specifications
Choosing a Carbon Fiber Hood
The carbon fiber hood is where nearly every FR-S/BRZ build starts, because it delivers the most weight savings and the most visual impact for the money. Seibon offers the gen-1 hood in six profiles that all bolt to the factory hinges, latch, and prop-rod locations: the OEM-style (a clean factory-shaped panel for a sleeper look), the vented TS-Style (Tuner Series, with functional heat-extractor vents), and the VS, VT, FA, and DV styles that add progressively more aggressive scoops, domes, and vents. All six are direct replacements — none require cutting or a new latch for street use.
Our pick for most builds is the TS-Style. The heat-extractor vents help pull heat off the FA20 in Tampa summer traffic, and the aggressive-but-not-loud look suits a street/track FR-S. If you want the weight savings without changing the car’s lines, the OEM-style hood is the value play at $1,170.
The vented VT-Style hood is one of six Seibon gen-1 profiles.
The FA-Style adds a motorsport-inspired profile while keeping factory mounting.
The Full Seibon Carbon Lineup at a Glance
Beyond the hood, the entire gen-1 exterior can go carbon. Here is how the core Seibon FR-S/BRZ pieces we stock compare on what they replace, the benefit, and price. Prices update live from our catalog; the current promo is an extra 10% off across the Seibon range.
| Part | Replaces | Key Benefit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TS-Style Carbon HoodTop Pick | Steel hood | ~15 lb off the nose + heat extraction | $1,350.00 |
| Dry Carbon Fiber Roof | Steel roof skin | Lowers center of gravity at the highest point | $2,520.00 |
| OEM-Style Carbon Hood | Steel hood | ~15 lb saved, factory sleeper look | $1,170.00 |
| CSL-Style Trunk/Hatch | Steel trunk lid | ~8 lb off the tail with a ducktail lip | $1,260.00 |
| TB-Style Side Skirts | Plastic rocker trim | Lower, aggressive stance | $1,170.00 |
| GT-Style Rear Spoiler | Adds a wing | Rear downforce and presence | $900.00 |
Beyond the Hood: Roof, Trunk & Skirts
Once the hood is done, the highest-impact panel is the roof. Seibon offers the FR-S/BRZ roof in dry carbon — a prepreg, autoclave-cured construction that is lighter and stiffer than standard wet-layup carbon. Because the roof sits at the very top of the chassis, replacing the steel skin has an outsized effect on the center of gravity, which is why the $2,520 dry carbon roof is the flagship of this lineup.
At the rear, the CSL-Style carbon trunk trims roughly 8 lbs off the tail and works in an integrated ducktail lip for a cleaner, more planted look. Pair it with the TB-Style side skirts and a GT-Style rear spoiler to finish the exterior. Every piece bolts to factory hardware locations.
Buying the full exterior in one shot adds up — a hood, dry carbon roof, CSL trunk, side skirts, and spoiler land in the $6,500-$7,500 range before the current 10% Seibon discount — so most of our customers build in stages. A practical order of operations is hood first (biggest weight-per-dollar), then trunk and skirts to balance the look front to rear, and finally the roof as the halo piece once the rest is dialed in. Because the panels are all genuine 2x2 twill carbon, mixing pieces bought months apart still matches in weave and finish.
The GT-Style rear spoiler adds downforce to match the carbon lineup.
How to Install a Carbon Fiber Hood (Step-by-Step)
Installing a Seibon hood on an FR-S or BRZ is a bolt-on job that takes about 45-60 minutes with two people. You are reusing the factory hinges, latch, prop, and washer-nozzle hardware — nothing is cut. Here is the sequence our Tampa shop follows:
- Prep and protect. Park on level ground, pop the hood, and lay fender covers or towels along both fenders and the cowl to protect paint.
- Disconnect the washer line. Unclip the windshield washer hose and any under-hood insulation clips from the factory steel hood.
- Support and unbolt. With a helper holding the hood, remove the four hinge bolts (two per side, 12mm). Lift the steel hood straight up and set it aside.
- Transfer hardware. Move the factory rubber bump stops, washer nozzles, and any grommets to the carbon hood.
- Mount the carbon hood. Set it on the hinges and start all four bolts by hand before snugging them, so you keep the panel adjustable.
- Align the gaps. Close slowly and check the hood-to-fender and hood-to-bumper gaps. Loosen, shift, and re-snug the hinge bolts until the panel is centered and flush, then torque to spec.
- Set the latch and bump stops. Adjust the rubber bump stops up or down so the hood sits flush and closes with a firm, even latch.
- Add hood pins (recommended). For spirited or track driving, install hood pins or a pin kit as a secondary retainer — carbon hoods are light and can lift at speed on the factory latch alone.
The same basic process applies to the trunk (reuse the factory struts and latch) and side skirts (which use the factory clips and screws). The dry carbon roof is a professional, bonded install and is best left to an experienced body shop.
Fitment Notes: FR-S vs BRZ vs 86, Dry vs Wet Carbon & Care
The 2013-2016 Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota 86 share one body shell, so these Seibon 12-13 FR-S/BRZ hoods, roofs, trunks, and skirts fit all three interchangeably. The 2017+ facelift (86/BRZ) changed the front bumper and lights, so confirm year before ordering front-end pieces. Expect minor gap fine-tuning on any aftermarket carbon panel — that is normal, and the adjustment steps above handle it.
Care is straightforward but not optional. Every Seibon panel ships with a UV-resistant clear coat, but carbon left in direct sun for years can still yellow if it is neglected. In Florida sun we tell customers to keep the panels sealed with a UV-blocking wax or ceramic coating, hand-wash rather than run an abrasive brush, and use a cover for long outdoor parking. One more balance note: a carbon hood removes weight ahead of the front axle, so pairing it with the roof and trunk keeps the front-to-rear weight distribution close to the factory 53/47 rather than making the nose too light on its own.
A carbon rear diffuser cover ties the underbody into the carbon theme.
Want to keep the weight-loss theme going under the car? A lightweight aFe Takeda carbon-tip axle-back exhaust pairs naturally with a carbon build and frees up a few more pounds out back. Browse the rest of our exterior and carbon fiber catalog for matching pieces.
What We Like
- + Sheds ~15 lbs off the nose and lowers CG with the roof
- + Genuine 2x2 twill carbon with a UV-resistant clear coat
- + Direct bolt-on to factory hinges, latch, and clips
- + One shell fits FR-S, BRZ, and 86 interchangeably
Things to Consider
- – Hood pins are recommended for track use
- – Clear coat needs UV care (wax/sealant) to avoid yellowing
- – The dry carbon roof is a professional bonded install
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight does a carbon fiber hood save on an FR-S or BRZ?
A Seibon carbon fiber hood saves roughly 15 lbs versus the factory steel hood on a 2013-2016 Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, or Toyota 86. The OEM steel hood weighs about 28-30 lbs, while the carbon replacement is 12-15 lbs. Because that weight comes off the very front of the car, it also improves front-end balance and turn-in.
Do Seibon FR-S and BRZ carbon parts fit the Toyota 86?
Yes. The 2013-2016 Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota 86 share the same ZN6/ZC6 body shell, so Seibon 12-13 FR-S/BRZ hoods, roofs, trunks, and side skirts bolt to all three. Note that the 2017+ facelift changed the front bumper and lights, so verify the year before ordering front-end pieces.
Do I need hood pins for a carbon fiber hood?
For street driving, the factory latch holds a Seibon carbon hood securely on its own. For track or high-speed use, hood pins are strongly recommended as a secondary retainer because carbon hoods are light and can lift at speed. A bolt-on pin kit installs in minutes.
What is the difference between dry carbon and regular carbon fiber?
Dry carbon is a prepreg carbon fiber cured under heat and pressure in an autoclave, making it lighter and stiffer than standard wet-layup carbon. Seibon offers the FR-S/BRZ roof in dry carbon, which is why it commands a premium over the wet-layup hoods and trunks.
How long does it take to install a carbon fiber hood on a BRZ?
Installing a Seibon hood on an FR-S or BRZ takes about 45-60 minutes with two people. You reuse the factory hinges, latch, prop, washer nozzles, and bump stops, then align the panel gaps and torque the four hinge bolts. No cutting or drilling is required.
How do I keep a carbon fiber hood from fading?
Carbon fiber clear coat can yellow under prolonged UV exposure. Keep the panel protected with a UV-blocking wax or ceramic sealant, park in shade or use a car cover when possible, and avoid harsh abrasive polishes. Properly maintained, a quality carbon panel holds its finish for years.
Ready to Go Carbon on Your FR-S or BRZ?
Shop Seibon carbon fiber hoods, roofs, trunks, and skirts — plus thousands more performance parts — at NLP Performance.
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