Carbon Fibre Body Panels for our cars
08-07-2015 | 06:43 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 13,582
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From: Boulder Creek, CA
Just weighed the cf hood. 12 lbs.
The oem hood is an extra 10lbs past that by my scale.
I've lost 40lbs in 2 years and that was free. Well, I mean 90k in medical expenses from a gallbladder removal. But the diet change was free.
It's all relative.
Like I said. Low hanging fruit.
The oem hood is an extra 10lbs past that by my scale.
I've lost 40lbs in 2 years and that was free. Well, I mean 90k in medical expenses from a gallbladder removal. But the diet change was free.
It's all relative.
Like I said. Low hanging fruit.
Low hanging is already pretty far up the weight-loss cost tree, because Porsche already did the REALLY low hanging fruit work to give us AL panels.
08-07-2015 | 07:10 PM
#17
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 25,152
Likes: 87
A rear plexiglass panel was 100 dollars. So that is at least 10 pounds. The hood was worth about 700. That's 10 more pounds. Lighter seats can save 50-60 pounds.
That's the kind of low hanging fruit.
On a real race car body where you tow to the track, there are some good options.
But yes, then you get into rare air.
That's the kind of low hanging fruit.
On a real race car body where you tow to the track, there are some good options.
But yes, then you get into rare air.
08-07-2015 | 07:39 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 13,582
Likes: 1,035
From: Boulder Creek, CA
A rear plexiglass panel was 100 dollars. So that is at least 10 pounds. The hood was worth about 700. That's 10 more pounds. Lighter seats can save 50-60 pounds.
That's the kind of low hanging fruit.
On a real race car body where you tow to the track, there are some good options.
But yes, then you get into rare air.
That's the kind of low hanging fruit.
On a real race car body where you tow to the track, there are some good options.
But yes, then you get into rare air.
I think it's fools folly, drive what you got, always be learning.
Always changing, prevents always learning.
Just my race build philosophy.
08-08-2015 | 01:08 AM
#20
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,429
Likes: 158
From: USA
For reference, an ole buddy of mine fabricated a full bodied late 50's Cadillac Pro Mod with a 120lb fiberglass shell. (Top 3 pics below). Bottom pic is of a 38 Chevy that he built in Carbon Fiber that weighed only 82lbs (with spoiler). The Chevy used to run 6.38/238mph 1/4 mile times. T
Last edited by 77tony; 08-08-2015 at 01:14 PM.
08-08-2015 | 04:49 AM
#21
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 607
Likes: 12
From: Brisbane, Australia.
IMHO - going for CF panels is chasing diminishing returns, as existing panelling is already lightweight.
How about a glass replacement? Hatch glass weighs a ton.
As for CF stuff: wheels give the most bang for buck as they benefit roadholding, acceleration and braking.
Then a CF drive shaft (has traction/power delivery benefits).
Add a CF torque tube and lose another 20lbs or so. As it's low in the car, this weight loss is the only benefit, but hey, 20lbs is 20lbs !
How about a glass replacement? Hatch glass weighs a ton.
As for CF stuff: wheels give the most bang for buck as they benefit roadholding, acceleration and braking.
Then a CF drive shaft (has traction/power delivery benefits).
Add a CF torque tube and lose another 20lbs or so. As it's low in the car, this weight loss is the only benefit, but hey, 20lbs is 20lbs !