ZMoneyPIT

iTrader: (1)

Well if it's going to happen it will happen. Up to OP on what he wants to take a risk on. Can't make money without a little risk involved. Last big start up we had was the Brainiac guys except they didn't want to risk a loss so it fell through the cracks.

dboyzalter

iTrader: (3)

Or you could make a nice carbon light weight piece to replace the aluminum bumper crash bar, that thing is actually pretty heavy... Pretty sure it adds to the structural rigidity of the front end though.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

It's like a 10 to 12 pound aluminum piece

bealljk

iTrader: (13)

I took 7lbs off each structural bumper by hole-sawing out pieces...

I think the aluminum structural bumper provides crash impact absorption attributes ... may not be a good candidate for a swap...

I think the plenum (~25lbs) and the strut tower bar (7lbs) would be optimal places to start.

ZMoneyPIT

iTrader: (1)

An effective cf plenum that can hold boost!? Let's stick to the body parts first hah.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

I know in Japan they run CF door bars on the S2k for wheel to wheel racing. cF when properly build can be strong

dboyzalter

iTrader: (3)

They feel heavier than that, just the steel part that they bolt onto feel like they are 10lbs.

stratxc

the only issue with scenario 2 you have there is if I make the parts I will not make any money to buy more materials to make more parts. I would be losing money on all of the parts that were created since that would not pay for all of the materials. I will create a part and have the mold on standby whenever someone wants a part made. It will be a fully functional hood and not just for looks. This will be more geared towards the track cars. Not the 17 year old who just graduated high school.

bealljk

iTrader: (13)

but you will make zero money if you charge $1500 a unit...


I speculate that nissan used a ductile aluminum as (upon impact) it can deform and absorb energy where I believe cf would be more brittle?

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

Just a FYI on putting a carbon hood on many Z33 racecars. Most SCCA and NASA 350Zs race in classes where replacing the OEM hood is not allowed. Of course, there are the super unlimited and T1 classes where just about anything is allowed, but that usually makes up just a small percentage of the Z racers out there. Redline Time Attack and other open track day guys may be where your market is.

turboed350z

Half your asking price, about same weight as oem, fitment is 7/10. Wet carbon fiber. Vented for heat, looks 8/10.

Can ya beat that? If not, why would someone go for your hood for 2x the price?

stratxc

Because mine will be half the weight of a stock hood and won't yellow in the sun after a year of having it. Also, mine will fit just like oem.

stratxc

I was just throwing a figure out there. Since that is what he sells sti and frs/brz hoods for. Also. I'd make -$ if I charge $500 per hood. Especially when the quality is going to be nothing like other $500 hoods on the market.

dcains

iTrader: (15)

Every time I say I've seen the F'ing stupidest thread ever, I'm proved wrong. Mods - please kill this thread.

DACodeRed

The issue is that a BRZ/FRS are currently ~30k new and ~20k used. While the 350z is selling for anywhere between 5k to 15k. Since the price is so low for the 350z people are not willing/wanting to spend 1/5th to 1/15th of the cost of their car on a single hood.

So it seems that you only really have two options as far as I can tell.

1. You can either drop the price to make it more competitive with other manufacturers and a more justifiable purchase for buyers.
2. You come out with a unique design that helps performance that the track guys and show guys would be interested in. They're the ones who are more willing to drop that kind of money in a hood since they'll see some return on investment; winning races or shows.

dboyzalter

iTrader: (3)

And then when your sweet 10lb $1500 hood cracks when you shut it, or better yet the latch breaks off on the highway and gets destroyed eveyone will be like what did you expect buying a pos stra-txc dry carbon non jdm hood.

isy_nismo

iTrader: (1)

Something like the design of the GT-R nismo GT with all the vents and functionallity will be nice, with a touch of the jun 350z....will be welcome for the track guys!!, like a roof or floor panels in dry carbon....

turboed350z

been 2 years+ in AZ sun and still not yellow yet.... and a 10lb weight saving, ill for 2x the price isnt worth it. can you guarantee that it will fit like oem? or is that all smoke? there are lots of company that does NOT require deposit for their hoods to start the molding process, and yet they cant even get it to fit as oem, how can someone do it on a budget?

bealljk

iTrader: (13)

^I'm begining to side with DCains that this is a pipe dream...

OP knows little about the culture of the z and appears to have minimal business sense - I wish him the best!

turboed350z

if its as good as he thinks it sound im willing to pay around 1300 and thats for it shipped. but i doubt he can get it to be 10lbs lighter than oem, have functional vents that actually helps, be structurally sound, fits without adjustment, and have quality of the big boys.

just doesnt seem plausible with a 200 deposit. thats $4000 (assuming 20 people are willing to buy, which at this point, i see only about 5 interested for track). 4k for a start up on molds, material, labor, R&D, idk about you, but 4k in the business world barely go anywhere.