TRUE Dry Carbon parts : Who really wants quality parts?
Like Chesbosto said, many consumers on the boards will ask "Why isn't it shiny." Though Dry carbon kicks Wet carbons @$$ anyday of the week, it isn't as attractive, and eventually must be painted before it starts to look like crackers. I am so down for dry carbon doors though... or if they can, a ROOF! since they'll be painted anyhow.
Originally Posted by Chebosto
with the prices for pre-preg CF nowadays... aiya..... good luck finding a market ... if you're talking $2k for a hood? no way.
$3k-$5k for a hood mold, three layers of pre-preg CF @ close to $50/sq yard, + honeycomb support, with a hood being 1.5ydsx1.625yds not including the undersupport u'd need to use.. basically round up to approximately 2.5 yd x 2.5yd and you'd have to cut down to get it out of the mold..
$312.5 each layer x 3 layers = $937.5
+ $ for honey comb + $ for labor for someone to lay it down + $ vacuum bag or $ for oven usage.. i'd estimate each hood approximately $1200-1500 each @ cost!!
pre-preg weight for a hood? probably 5 pounds. stock weight 11 pounds. that's $200/lb saved.
if you did a whole dry CF car, then wow. you'd probably be able to afford another Z.
imho unless you're in some serious SCCA competition and no race budget.. go for it.. for the majority of the ppl on this forum, they wont appreciate the effort. and they'll be like.. why isn't it glossy?
$3k-$5k for a hood mold, three layers of pre-preg CF @ close to $50/sq yard, + honeycomb support, with a hood being 1.5ydsx1.625yds not including the undersupport u'd need to use.. basically round up to approximately 2.5 yd x 2.5yd and you'd have to cut down to get it out of the mold..
$312.5 each layer x 3 layers = $937.5
+ $ for honey comb + $ for labor for someone to lay it down + $ vacuum bag or $ for oven usage.. i'd estimate each hood approximately $1200-1500 each @ cost!!
pre-preg weight for a hood? probably 5 pounds. stock weight 11 pounds. that's $200/lb saved.
if you did a whole dry CF car, then wow. you'd probably be able to afford another Z.
imho unless you're in some serious SCCA competition and no race budget.. go for it.. for the majority of the ppl on this forum, they wont appreciate the effort. and they'll be like.. why isn't it glossy?
The last sentence was hilarious.Cheston! It looks like you have been trying to get this out for these guys as well through fiberimages
(Rick takes notes). Your costs are pretty well in line with what I have been looking at. 
However, hopefully the small percentage of those who pay for quality products will see that the company I am going to use actually makes race parts for real race cars. I am a firm believer in education. Did you see the thread I linked to in my first post in this thread? Shocking to see the misinformation out there that people just DO NOT know about. Although admittedly the market is small for true dry carbon products, I would be happy to see a few more on board just due to the fact that they are now aware of what is available and the reasoning behind paying for such a product.
Last edited by Rickdogg; Dec 12, 2005 at 03:50 PM.
maybe you should just get a giant sticker that says "IT'S NOT SHINY ON PURPOSE"..
then you get those "Hey dude. did u know primer isn't a paint job" jokes. sigh.
man i'm all down for some hardcore dry CF stuff. but if ur going dry. go all out. Kevlar weaves. i mean,if ur up to $50/yard whats another few bucks.. go the extra effort.
how about a a one piece hood,fender,frontbumper combo... that would probably benefit you the most since u have no headlights. plus you'd probably savel ike 10+ pounds in all the mounting hardware and brackets...
then you get those "Hey dude. did u know primer isn't a paint job" jokes. sigh.
man i'm all down for some hardcore dry CF stuff. but if ur going dry. go all out. Kevlar weaves. i mean,if ur up to $50/yard whats another few bucks.. go the extra effort.
how about a a one piece hood,fender,frontbumper combo... that would probably benefit you the most since u have no headlights. plus you'd probably savel ike 10+ pounds in all the mounting hardware and brackets...
Also. With Dry Carbon, if left in the sun for too long it will turn yellow/white rather quickly. People then will complain that it's a pos. If you UV coated the dry carbon then it becomes glossy, but then the hardcore guys will say it's no longer dry carbon. You never win with the general public on dry carbon stuff 
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Florida
I use to tell everyone my Vis hood was Dry CF due to ishy quality. If I had a race track around here and a nice size budget. I would deffently de on the list. Maybe Second .
Props to you 100% racers and thanks for getting parts made.
due to ishy quality. If I had a race track around here and a nice size budget. I would deffently de on the list. Maybe Second . Props to you 100% racers and thanks for getting parts made.
Originally Posted by spf4000
Is it possible to make a dry carbon roof without negatively affecting the car's rigidity?
Originally Posted by bluesaint
Also. With Dry Carbon, if left in the sun for too long it will turn yellow/white rather quickly. People then will complain that it's a pos. If you UV coated the dry carbon then it becomes glossy, but then the hardcore guys will say it's no longer dry carbon. You never win with the general public on dry carbon stuff
Originally Posted by spf4000
Is it possible to make a dry carbon roof without negatively affecting the car's rigidity?
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From: SF, freezing my @ss off
Originally Posted by 350Zteve
How do you plan on attaching a carbon fiber roof to a set of steel A and B pillars? Ever see a race car with a steel body and CF roof? (not counting targa's where the roof is not part of the chassis)
Originally Posted by spf4000
M3 CSL and M6 have CF roofs. I have no idea how they are attached, but it'd be worth investigating for the weight savings from the highest point of the car.
They are using rivets to get the CF roofs.
I would have to agree with Chebosto on this, even at the universtiy, we have very limited means for dry CF due to cost. For small things like control arms its not so bad, but for something the size of our hood, would be expensive to do it right. I can't see this being very profitable, as the cost per lb saved would be really high. There are other lightweight materials than CF, and the doors and hood, fenders, do very, very little for structural rigidity. Why not aluminum skins to replace the steel ones for the fenders and doors? The hood's weight comes mostly from the bracing, but a a good dry CF, ( anyone have an autoclave?) would be stiff enough to go without and be worth the money. I guess I figure there are other options besides the beautiful weave of CF for light weight.
Will
Will
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From: Del Rio, Texas
Originally Posted by spf4000
M3 CSL and M6 have CF roofs. I have no idea how they are attached, but it'd be worth investigating for the weight savings from the highest point of the car.
On a seperate note, Rick, have you considered the effect of all the lightening on your car's CG? Such as lowering it below the roll center? Or do you have adjustable Heim joints or something in there?
The carbon fiber roofs on the M3 CSL and the M6 are Bonded to the Metal with a special epoxy. It could be done on a 350z, if a roof panel is made for the Z, then it could be taken to a Bodyshop that is trained in repairing the M6 and they could use the same expoxy to glue the roof on.
hmm just found this thread...this is definitely something worth while...sorry if youve posted another thread for updates, but are there any updates on this plan? if there is another thread any redirects please?
Originally Posted by creationv2
hmm just found this thread...this is definitely something worth while...sorry if youve posted another thread for updates, but are there any updates on this plan? if there is another thread any redirects please?
I will get mine done anyways though eventually after I complete a few more projects
