Lighten Your Car

[stretch240sx]

240 hatch... with lexan window? im not sure if they have them already, but if they do im sure they are *Censored**Censored**Censored* expensive....

[Godfather]

If you make the S13 stuff (dash, door pannels, trunk lid, and JDM style hood), and the price is right I will definately be buying all of it from you. I would also be interested in stocking a selection of your offerings at my shop as an alternative to the halfa$$ed stuff on the market now.

I am especially interested in the dash. I have been wanting to do one for a while now.

[nrgdrft]

Originally posted by Rooney
Carbon Fiber doors for a 95-98 240

yes doors , they weigh a shiteload

[mranlet]

How much have you worked with Carbon Fiber in the past? If you're just starting out, a panel like a hatch or one with compound cirves like a fender (flared, especially) will present a challenge.

Unless you're buying in extreme bulk, good quality cloth will cost enough to make any profit to you (in order to afford to spend the time on it) be very minimal. It'll be very difficult to be better quality at a lower price unless you're an ace at laying fiber.

I agree that many companies are more concerned with look than fincaitonality, and that it would be great if someone would make parts that are more weight-oriented.

I beg to differ about the notion that Fiberglass is negligably different from steel in terms of weight - even something as simple as a hood can be lightened 15 lbs when molded in FRP. Something like a hatch with a non-glass window (Polycarbinate is the way to go, since lexan will break into sharp shards in an impact and will not meet satefy specs) you can eliminate a lot of the streuctural reenforcements nescessary for steel panels, a wiper motor (if present) the weight of the glass, interior panels, heavy latch systems, gas supports (or at least smaller and lighter ones) and the weight savings really adds up. FRP is also much much cheaper than CF.

I'm not trying to disuage you, but I want to make sure that you consider all the aspects of manufacturing parts before you dive into it.

-MR

[GRiDRaceTech]

Mranlet- I will be fabricating the simple things, like gas doors and interior panels. All the harder work will be subcontracted to a local fiber fabricator. (The company I have in mind created an all carbon fiber Protege5, so I have the utmost faith in their skills.)
Here are details about my ideas:
Rear hatch: if I can find a polycarbonate fabricator nearby, I might be able to offer f/g or c/f hood with polycarbonate "glass" installed.
Doors: serious work is involved to create a whole door that is satisfactory. I will have to test the door to make sure it does not crack from handling stress. I fear the development required would make the door cost, and weigh, more than is optimal.
Trunklids, hoods: I will offer FRP for most popular drift cars, with optional custom ones for turbocharged vehicles. (Subtle air outlets to reduce underhood temps)
Dash: any dash I produce will be absolutely custom in shape. It will be simple and very light.
This won't take off for at least a couple months, as I'm shopping around for a fabricator.

[aphxero]

You can use an sr5 or GTS hatch lid from 84-87 they are all exactly the same. It should be pretty easy to find one. Also, I suggest not putting in the rear wiper hole. Not all ae86 had them and it's not really necessary. All you really need is the ability to use the stock latch.

If you can make these out of FRP I'd be the first in line with my money. You really don't need to make CF ones since most of the AE community cares more about saving money than bling. I'd paint it anyway.

Again, please make this stuff.

[OppLock]

Re: RE:

Originally posted by ACDSupra7
CF parts for MA70 Supra. Alot of drifters are interested in MA70s, but are put off by their weight.

I'm telling you, if you do make parts for the MA70 it could actually make it a more popular car all around, because weight is your enemy. Like ACDSupra7 said, the MA70 would be a compelling choice if it weren't for its excess weight. If you make lots of parts for it, the car will be more popular in autocross and drift events, provided the company gets the word out. I would even consider one, like that white one in town(just a cheaper one).

[GRiDRaceTech]

I know what you're getting at, but the drift Supra scene isn't all that big here. MA70 guys, prove me wrong.
Development: I'm thinking about buying a 240SX coupe, thus negating the need for someone to lend me one. I'll save money this way... plus, I've needed a dedicated drifter for a while now.

[driftxtreem]

CF doors and dashers are on the market in Japan right now. The work is exelent and a set of door panels is only 750. another way to provide look and save manufacturing cost is to lay up your molds in FRP and do a last coat with CF. Cf looking FRP will still sell as long as your honest. You could also do CF door covers for the look and if done right they would be slim and not increse any real weight. They can be aplied with pannel bond from say like 3M, or Durabond. once there on there not coming off.

[stretch240sx]

Originally posted by GRiDRaceTech
Development: I'm thinking about buying a 240SX coupe, thus negating the need for someone to lend me one. I'll save money this way... plus, I've needed a dedicated drifter for a while now.

no man, get a hatch.... you need to have the hatch, lol.

no one likes coupes anyways. j/k. but serious, get a hatch

[GRiDRaceTech]

Drift- I will only do interior door panels, I think. Or, I might buy one of those sets of door panels from Japan and see if I can replicate it for cheaper. That way, I don't have any development costs. (Hey, if the car manufacturers do it with cars, I don't see why I cannot do it with doors...)
Stretch- I cannot get a hatch. I just can't. I saw a dark green 240SX coupe in Murrieta at the housing tract I work at yesterday and just fell in love. (He had lazy eyes, was lowered, and had steelies... anyone on the board?)

[prodigy]

Sounds good. Let us know when you got something made.

[sobe]

nice

[pcbootleger]

Originally posted by oni_roh86t
heh i drive a z31 300z so i could use carbon fiber just about anything but 0 funds atm, as soon as i get some cash i'll contact you, the idea is awesome and i'm sure it will fly

yeah our cars sure are heavy. but dont bother with the hood. I hear they are light already and carbon fiber wouldnt help that much. not worth 500 bucks at least.

[DrifterFD3S]

one popular car we havent mentioned yet is the RX7. I could get you so many customers off of rx7club.com if you made parts for our cars. (mostly the 2nd gen) i know that me and at least 15 other ppl just in my local area alone (dallas TX) would buy fiberglass or carbon fiber front fenders, hoods, and hatches! my drift machine right now is going on a serious diet (im up to 325 lbs off my FC already!) and i could really use a hood, fenders, and hatch right now (especially with the formula D event in houston right around the corner!)

PLZ MAKE US STUFF!