Carbon Fiber Hood Feeler Thread
#23
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
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#24
350Z-holic
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.
#26
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
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.
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.
#28
Registered User
Thread Starter
A. do the entire production to make 10 hoods, sell for $1500 each, sell none of them, have them in the shop taking up space. Invest a lot of money and have zero return on investment.
B. do the entire production to make 10 hoods, sell for $500 each, sell all of them, make more hoods, expand onto other items. Invest a lot of money and have $5000 in returns. Furthermore, get your name out in the market as an alternative to the seibons, carbon creations, vis...
Its a risk...
#29
350Z-holic
iTrader: (13)
I speculate that nissan used a ductile aluminum as (upon impact) it can deform and absorb energy where I believe cf would be more brittle?
#30
General & DIY Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
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Just a FYI on putting a carbon hood on many Z33 racecars. Most SCCA and NASA 350Zs race in classes where replacing the OEM hood is not allowed. Of course, there are the super unlimited and T1 classes where just about anything is allowed, but that usually makes up just a small percentage of the Z racers out there. Redline Time Attack and other open track day guys may be where your market is.
#31
Registered User
Half your asking price, about same weight as oem, fitment is 7/10. Wet carbon fiber. Vented for heat, looks 8/10.
Can ya beat that? If not, why would someone go for your hood for 2x the price?
#32
Registered User
Thread Starter
Because mine will be half the weight of a stock hood and won't yellow in the sun after a year of having it. Also, mine will fit just like oem.
Last edited by stratxc; 12-26-2016 at 10:03 AM.
#33
Registered User
Thread Starter
I was just throwing a figure out there. Since that is what he sells sti and frs/brz hoods for. Also. I'd make -$ if I charge $500 per hood. Especially when the quality is going to be nothing like other $500 hoods on the market.
#35
Registered User
So it seems that you only really have two options as far as I can tell.
- You can either drop the price to make it more competitive with other manufacturers and a more justifiable purchase for buyers.
- 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.
#38
Registered User
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?
#39
350Z-holic
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!
OP knows little about the culture of the z and appears to have minimal business sense - I wish him the best!
#40
Registered User
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.