Carbon Fiber Parts

[rydog1130]

I've seen some archived posts on this topic and as many of you know I've been interested in producing some parts for our EB's. The one thing I noticed was how outrageous the prices are on these parts. I feel that was a number one reason these individuals stopped making these parts or they never took off...I hope to price these competively with other non carbon fiber parts. Here's a little update as I've started to make a few molds. I'm starting out with door panels that will be priced at $225 set and a hood scoop at $225 as well. I'll be doing other parts when the weather gets a little warmer and I have some more space. Here's a preview of the mold making that's going on right now.

 

[Apogee]

Cool stuff...how about a carbon fiber top? That's where the true weight savings is to be had IMO. Most of the aftermarket automotive companies like Anvil are having their stuff prototyped here and then manufactured in China to keep the costs in check.

 

[Crawdad]

I'd love to find a low profile, wide hood scoop sorta like WHs Buckaroo hood. It has to be bolted on from under and not riveted or screwed in. Be my savior!

 

[NicksTrix]

how big of autoclave have you got in terms of capability?
looked at doing carbon door panels over 10 years ago and wasn't able to find a cost effective source to do them. congrats for the effort!

 

[rydog1130]

I'd love to find a low profile, wide hood scoop sorta like WHs Buckaroo hood. It has to be bolted on from under and not riveted or screwed in. Be my savior!

I'll be doing the 3 main hood scoops eventually...starting out with this model for now

 

[rydog1130]

how big of autoclave have you got in terms of capability?
looked at doing carbon door panels over 10 years ago and wasn't able to find a cost effective source to do them. congrats for the effort!

building a new pole barn.... huge

 

[rydog1130]

Cool stuff...how about a carbon fiber top? That's where the true weight savings is to be had IMO. Most of the aftermarket automotive companies like Anvil are having their stuff prototyped here and then manufactured in China to keep the costs in check.

A top wouldn't be for some time and its a pretty complex part but I understand it would be a huge weight saver along with a hood

 

[duffymahoney]

If I design a cold intake airbox, could you make a mold for it?

 

[5001craig]

I'm interested in the door inserts--and I don't even have doors yet. Lol

Any close-up pics of the carbon weave?

Thanks,

Craig

 

[rydog1130]

If I design a cold intake airbox, could you make a mold for it?

possibly....I would need a photo

 

[rydog1130]

I'm interested in the door inserts--and I don't even have doors yet. Lol

Any close-up pics of the carbon weave?

Thanks,

Craig

its a standard 2x2 twill weave. I could probably do special colors as they have yellow, red, orange and blue but it would cost extra

 

[Lhofkamp]

Cool stuff...how about a carbon fiber top? That's where the true weight savings is to be had IMO. Most of the aftermarket automotive companies like Anvil are having their stuff prototyped here and then manufactured in China to keep the costs in check.

Raw Carbon Fiber would look so out of place on a EB but I'll be damned if I wouldn't buy one and paint it. Theoretically that thing could weigh 40 - 70 lbs.

 

[maup]

Are you just buying it by the yard and doing a wet layup with an open air cure or do you plan to do any vacuum bagging? Or are you buying the prepreg stuff?

I've always envisioned taking a finished steel component, making a fiberglass mold with it, prepping the fiberglass mold surface to make it super smooth/glassy and then using vacuum bags to get full resin infusion and a really smooth finished surface...I've always worried that a simple wet layup without vacuum would leave bubbles on the finished surface.

How many layers you using on the door?

If you get into making hoods or larger body panels I guess you'll have to lay some struts or something structural in? We've used balsa wood in the past because its light, but idk how well that would hold up over a hot engine...also you may get some delamination pretty quick.

 

[rydog1130]

Are you just buying it by the yard and doing a wet layup with an open air cure or do you plan to do any vacuum bagging? Or are you buying the prepreg stuff?

I've always envisioned taking a finished steel component, making a fiberglass mold with it, prepping the fiberglass mold surface to make it super smooth/glassy and then using vacuum bags to get full resin infusion and a really smooth finished surface...I've always worried that a simple wet layup without vacuum would leave bubbles on the finished surface.

How many layers you using on the door?

If you get into making hoods or larger body panels I guess you'll have to lay some struts or something structural in? We've used balsa wood in the past because its light, but idk how well that would hold up over a hot engine...also you may get some delamination pretty quick.

vac infusion with a final temp cure. Most simple parts don't require more than 4 layers. If I get into larger parts they will get impreged with filler core/mat material to add strength. If you make a correct hood it consists of two molds, the top and bottom then they are glued together. If done correctly the original supports should work to give it enough support.

 

[maup]

Neat...

On the hood - using 2 molds is that so the inside is smooth enough to accept paint to protect the carbon from getting oily/grimy? Or is that mainly so you can glue supports between the finished panels?

I've always thought about 'playing' with carbon...dabbled with it some about 6-7 years ago for a small race car but didn't have to make any large panels...more lightweight small body panels and ducting than anything. It wasn't my money so it was an easier pill to swallow when it didn't turn out right!

 

[rydog1130]

Neat...

On the hood - using 2 molds is that so the inside is smooth enough to accept paint to protect the carbon from getting oily/grimy? Or is that mainly so you can glue supports between the finished panels?

I've always thought about 'playing' with carbon...dabbled with it some about 6-7 years ago for a small race car but didn't have to make any large panels...more lightweight small body panels and ducting than anything. It wasn't my money so it was an easier pill to swallow when it didn't turn out right!

Top mold provides the glossy top part of the bonnet while the mold of the underside provides the support

 

[Mtgrizzlymn]

Carbon fiber paintable? I want rear corner and taillight gaurds but want back or Matt black


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[rydog1130]

Yes you can paint it, but most people like the aesthetics of the carbon weave

 

[DirtDonk]

If you look for the red Bronco buggy that one of the members bought here (Can't remember his username at the moment) the whole thing is painted and you'd hardly know that the 7lb hood was carbon fiber.
Most of the custom panels were either aluminum or steel, but a few, including the hood, were carbon.
The truck was up for sale recently, so might even be in the classifieds here.

Paul

 

[Bukin 67]

Are you making door inserts for all years? I would be interested in some for a '67