Carbon Fiber 370z / Logistics

[Jjaden]

Ok, so I know different forum members have played with the idea but I think I might be ready to make the commitment to go for a full CF 370z.

I have given some serious thought to a 12 month plan to convert my entire exterior to exposed Carbon Fiber.

I want to know if this is fisable? What problems would I run into? In another thread someone mentioned there would be difficulty with the rear fenders.

My intention is to do the exterior in three phases, ordering and installing a phase every 3-4 months.

This will allow me to try to spread out the cost of the project and allow for production time of parts, and deal with any issues that might arise.

I plan to have Phase 1 completed by the end of the summer, and since my car will be parked next winter I can get a lot done over the 6 months that it will be parked.

Stage 1 - Front Bumper / Fenders / Hood

Stage 2 - Doors / Roof / A-B Pillars / Mirrors / Side Skirts

Stage 3 - Rear Fenders / Rear Bumper


Since my car is Black, hopefully it won't look too hard on the eyes in between phases.

My questions to start is, are there different types of Carbon Fiber other than a Wet and Dry looking? Would a Carbon Fiber part from one company match a carbon fiber part from another company or would they look different?


I am really interested on any feedback or concerns forum members might have?

My vision is to have a 370z version of this Carbon Fiber Aston Martin.

[metz]

Well for sure there are different twills or weaves. The most common ones you see are a plain weave and a 2x2 twill weave.

[Lemers]

Look at this thread to see the Z stripped down the the frame. As you can see the rear fenders are built as part of the frame.

Exciting New Nissan 370Z NISMO Team

As far as the roof. There seems to be several discussions about a glass top or targa top. I'm sure a CF roof could be done if either of the other are possible.

[Jjaden]

Originally Posted by metz

Well for sure there are different twills or weaves. The most common ones you see are a plain weave and a 2x2 twill weave.

I didn't know that, thanks, what type do you think was used in the Aston picture that is shown? What would the difference in appearance be?

Obviously I would like to keep the appearance of the C/F consistent throughout the car.

[Jjaden]

Originally Posted by Lemers

Look at this thread to see the Z stripped down the the frame. As you can see the rear fenders are built as part of the frame.

Exciting New Nissan 370Z NISMO Team

As far as the roof. There seems to be several discussions about a glass top or targa top. I'm sure a CF roof could be done if either of the other are possible.

Good info, thanks. Perhaps a C/F wrap would be possible for the rear fenders? Not sure how that would affect the appearance...

Lot's to think about...

[phelan]

if car is parked outside, this is suicide, as you'll get the clouding or yellowing in the resin eventually. just wrap it if this is the case.

rear quarter panel i believe is the hardest part to make, everything else has already been done in CF.

[Lemers]

Would A Clear coat prevent the yellowing and clouding?

[NewYorkJon34]

Just save your money bro to be honest, invest in forced induction if you want a better power to weight ratio. Plus eventually it will become sun damaged.

[phelan]

Originally Posted by Lemers

Would A Clear coat prevent the yellowing and clouding?

doubt it.

[Lemers]

Damn. I want a CF hood but living in the Sun City doesn't seem good for it now. I was hoping the clear would protect it. no UV blocking clear?

[phunk]

i love an all carbon fiber car, especially if done with quality parts that fit well.

something you need to consider is the quality of the CF you are using. i think its cool to have typical seibon or similar build CF parts here and there, but when doing a full car, I dont know if it would come out as well as you want unless you went with the high end dry stuff that is actually lightweight and strong. it costs many multiples to have made compared to the typical cosmetic carbon fiber 99.5% of people get. its not anything at all like the carbon fiber you see a high end or race car built from.

the typical stuff is not very light at all, its rather flimsy, and not exactly strong. for example a seibon part... i have their TS hood and i am very content with it for the money, but its nothing you should compare to what you see in exotic applications... its for style only. its a tad heavier than stock, its not very rigid and the fitment might raise some eyebrows. dont get me wrong, im thrilled with it for what i paid... i paid a 10th for it what the real deal would cost.

exotic/race car quality carbon fiber is INSANELY light, and insanely rigid and strong. its like night and day. but its also insanely expensive. The average stuff you can pretty much just consider it a fiberglass part that looks a lot like carbon fiber.

i think that if the whole car was done with parts like it, the lack of perfect fit may compound and the car might appear sorta uneven all over. it wouldnt be much lighter if at all, because these type of CF parts are not much lighter than thin steel panels like a fender, they are heavier than aluminum parts like our hood... and while the CF doors would be lighter since you are ditching all the steel frame... you are talking about a rather flimsy door and questionable side impact safety.

i think your idea would be AMAZING to see done... but if you are role modeling cars like that aston martin you posted... you might end up disappointed in the difference of quality when using "cheap" carbon fiber parts like most of us can afford.

[Jamaica]

Full cf.... Sounds like a project....very interesting

[ONEighty]

That AM is done up by Mansory, top of the line modification company, pretty much a brand, it doesn't get more expensive than that.

The body panels for that car are made from scratch using pre-preg carbon fiber, so they're much lighter than factory, and even then... the rear qt panels are original aluminum, covered with a CF skin.

So unless you're trying to spend spend over $100K, you'll just have to wrap all your parts in CF.

Your best bet would be to have ONE guy who knows how to wrap stuff in CF wrap your ENTIRE car, this way you get the same pattern consistency. If you start buying CF parts from different brands, you'll end up with mis matched patters going in all types of directions.Hit up Carbon Fiber Elements, Tony could probably get the job done, but expect to pay $$$

I'm pretty sure the twill weave on the CF Mansory AM is 4x4 because traditional 2x2 wouldn't look like that from far away.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/20...DB9-or-DBS.htm




This will cost you serious money to do it right, well over $20k, if not double.. Just get your car wrapped in CF vinyl and call it a day, you'll get tired of it over time and up regretting it lol.

[CrownR426]

Originally Posted by phelan

if car is parked outside, this is suicide, as you'll get the clouding or yellowing in the resin eventually. just wrap it if this is the case.

rear quarter panel i believe is the hardest part to make, everything else has already been done in CF.

+1 you definetly had prior experience with cf.
cf turns so crappy when its in the sun light for too long.
Ive seen hoods being destroyed...

[Jjaden]

Ugh, well I'm glad I made this thread prior to commencing on the project rather than just 'unveiling' a CF car and having all these problems down the road.

Realistically my budget was around 10-15k for the entire car, so I would have fallen short if a realistic cost estimate is over 20k.

@ Phelan, I was unaware that CF turns crappy in sunlight. My goal was to clear coat it, and then basically clear bra the entire car, but I don't suppose that would help much would it? I appreciate you bringing this to my attention.

The car would be a garage car, and off the road in total darkness for 6 months every winter, would this remove the possibility of clouding?

I would have had one company do all the work to maintain consistency in style and quality of weave rather than just buying parts from different companies, but I'm going to have to rethink this project.

If I were to have each part wrapped in CF as opposed to fabricating new panels out of CF, I would still have all of these issues wouldn't I?

While I would still be interested in this route if it solved some of the issues, living in Canada I'm not interested in shipping body parts out one at a time and having them shipped back for the entire car, if there was a local guy I could consider it.

I really appreciate all of the feedback guys, this is the kind of thread I was hoping for so I could see the flaws with the project, and try to think of possible solutions and eventually green light the project or scrap it based on what feedback I get.

This is really a damn shame because the girlfriend just hopped on board to buy me a full custom CF front bumper for my brithday to jumpstart the project .