2G carbon addiction started...
 

So I just installed carbon front fenders on my 2ga Talon. I am loving the looks. I also have my mirrors and side skirts dipped in a carbon pattern as well and it's a decent match. I was curious if anybody on here had done other odds and ends with carbon? I know some guys here have done the hood and hatch, and I will certainly be doing those in the future. I was wondering about stuff like the sunroof inserts and gas latch or door handles. Maybe even doors altogether? I was hoping to see if any great weight savings were attained and if so how much, and any parts that I should NOT buy because they don't fit or were a net loss and failed. Thanks!

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

I'd guess that carbon fenders aren't much, if any lighter than stock. Normally fenders are a pretty thin gauge metal. Did you weigh both?

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

I always wanted a carbon sunroof plug but never found one when I had my dsm. I ended up welding in thin metal and saved around 30lbs when I did that

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

So when is the hood, hatch, and doors? Haha
I do love some CF but I have come to realize I'm only doing it for parts I think will look better, the weight savings are so minimal for most things it's a waste of money. I've probably saved 30-40 pounds from CF, but really that's not much.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

As for appearance, I have my mirrors and side skirts dipped in a carbon fiber pattern that matches pretty close. I would estimate between 9-15 pounds subtracted for the carbon fenders. The best part for me is the lack of rust and how much doesn't stick to them. The dirt on the old ones was the heaviest part lol. But I'm keeping my eyes out for a hood. I am using these parts as a tool for distribution until I move onto a hatch and doors. Little things like gas latches and door handles can be ignored for now. The sunroof plug is pretty sweet for sure! I wanted to get the piece that just replaces the glass and let me still open it (yes I adore my sunroof with no a/c). Many of these parts I may use my own spools of carbon and Kevlar to attempt vacuum bagging and making.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Well thanks to Mark (TKR), I will be putting on a carbon vented hood and hopefully shed some more weight and more importantly, keep the ventilation going for the manifold and turbo...

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

A carbon fiber hatch will save you alot of weight.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Yea that's what I hope to find next!

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Looking good. Now you need carbon fiber doors too.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Yea hard to find but I saw a pair for $1500 but that was the best I found a while back. I'll have to save and keep an eye open. Feel free to post anything here you guys feel is a great deal! I did find a website that has everything interior wise out of carbon like headliner etc but those things don't exactly serve a positive purpose other than looks and actually would weigh more and not fit as nicely. Not to mention the safety issues of splintering carbon/composites on the dash etc like they have for sale... Cool thoughts though.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Carbon doors will need a cage with door bars.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

9-15lbs savings on the fenders? I would never have thought there would be that much of a difference.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Yea that's the draw back. I've been looking at a 4 point or something that I could use for harnesses, and allow for carbon door safety.

I am estimating this with the arm scale but I felt that the crap buildup on the old ones didn't help either. Plus the hardware required was a bit lighter duty as well.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Carbon hatch is on it's way!!! If anybody would like the buy the lexan out of it for cheap let me know!

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Why wouldn't you keep the lexan on there if you're truly doing all of this for the weight savings?

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

^^ x2 glass is probably the heaviest part of the hatch itself.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

x3 keep the lexan, totally fine for a DD as long as it's sealed.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

x4 would never put stock glass in a carbon hatch

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Well I will do my best to buff it out and hopefully it will clear up. Mainly the defrost option was what I wanted to keep but I haven't measured the weight yet so I'll be sure to check it out when it shows up! Thanks for the input and yes it's for weight savings and rust elimination. I think if the lexan clears up, then I'm happy.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Paint the CF, it looks like shit in a few years, if the car is ever outside.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Easy fix for that is sand off the gell coat and put real clear coat on it all and it will not have a problem

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Via clear coat color change or pitting? I beleive you I'm just curious.

Referring to Shane or how to fix the lexan?

I already have noticed the differences in carbon clear coats between the fenders and the hood and my obviously dipped trim. I think the hatch will be spaced enough but the wheels need a good paint job.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

I don't know. Just peeling and faded/dull/color changing. I see a lot of cars on the dyno with carbon fiber parts on them that are a few years ago and most look like crap. Maybe do what TKR said, if you want the CF look. I prefer painted, but that can cost a decent amount of money to get it right.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

The problem is that most people want the CF look, so it gets the nice weave finish and gel coat which doesn't last more than a few years if the car sees a lot of sun. The cost is also a huge markup because of time to lay the nice finish.

The CF parts with a nice finish and gel coat weigh a decent amount more than carbon parts that look crappy but are meant to be painted, minimum 15-20% more weight and a lot more cost. I think for my Exige the unfinished carbon hatch weighs 5lbs @ $1700 and the finished weave and gel coat part weighs 7lbs @ $2500.

The only hard part is finding places that make unfinished carbon parts that are meant to be painted. Not many people care about the weight and cost savings, only want the look. If you really care about weight savings, get the bare carbon parts (if you can find them) and paint them.

Sanding down the gel coat and doing a real clear coat on the carbon weave is risky, because you might sand down too far and ruin the weave, and then you have to end up painting it anyway, with the added weight of the final weave. Plus you should probably wear a mask, so if you do sand into the carbon fiber you don't get any CF dust into your lungs, definitely not good to breath that stuff in.

Just my .02c.

Re: 2G carbon addiction started...
 

Noted sir!

I have access to a neighbor's aircraft company's resources for help (ionaircraft.com, I'm on the homepage :P) and I'll discuss with him the best ways to get the old finish off when it discolors etc and have it painted black. They have some serious capabilities of actually reapplying a great top coat but at what cost and weight is the point you mentioned. I think I'll wait until they disappoint me appearance wise, and then bring it down to the surface, save the weight and do a light black/clear layer to protect it. Strong UV resistant stuff to be exact. I have made several compression molded parts with absolute minimal surface resin and it was amazing how light it was but then again it didn't look very shiny in the least.

Thanks for the input guys, I want to make it purdy and still keep function. The doors and tubular cross member are coming after I deal with drivetrain beef later on...