47 replies to this topic

[T5Hammy]

So I plan on starting to make custom CF body parts for my 98 S70, I have not decided if it will be for personal use only or If i will do some production after I work out the kinks. I have laid up small trim peices and have vacuum bagged several dash boards for Austin Healy's (my dad wanted me to help him create a few so he could learn how).

Basically I have several parts I intend to create: Hood with custom vents, wide front fenders to allow wider rubber up front 245's if possible (as oem+ as possible), wide rear fenders If I get the resources to do so (don't wanna stagger my fronts wider than my rears), front bumper based on the stock s70 bumper with a longer lip and curves that match the flare in the fender , and probably any engine trim I can get my hands on!

This will probably take a long time before I have a suitable (even for personal use) prototype, but I'm interested in new ideas that any of you may have thought of (if I like your idea and make it for myself I will try to get the brainstormer one for my cost even if it never goes to serious production). Well if I end up getting decent at this I may even start a line for as many Volvo's as I can as a side job (or career if my current state of unemployment holds out much longer ).

Any one who hates the CF ricey look, I plan to cover it with vinyl or paint so settle down . And anyone who thinks i'm ruining a perfectly decent car, I Dont Care! it is MY car and I promise not to force you to buy CF parts. Thanks for looking or any Ideas or tips!

[Vagabond]

I know how all of these type of threads end...

I'd start with actually producing something for everyone to see then post a thread, but since you blew your load early, my only suggestion is to skip the hood, cheaper to buy and better quality than anything you can produce at home.

[ErikS]

I would ask what is the heaviest but easiest piece to make for our cars that people would actually see and say "carbon fiber!"?

hint: I need new pull out center cup holders for the 850.

[Swag Swag]

In before chuck sighs and facepalms himself

Your one of the few people I know who could actually do this, but you my friend might need to put in the flame suit lol

[Che'_Moderator]

Roof makes more sense than anything else. Rear fenders do not make a lot of sense as they will probably require new doors also.

[Mesoam]

trunk

[Swag Swag]

Mesoam, on 17 January 2012 - 01:35 AM, said:

trunk

Really?after you tke out all the padding from it, it's pretty light weight, from a cost vs weight stand point, but it would look cool for sure

['12brotruckmofo]

Pegs.

[Che'_Moderator]

Swag Swag, on 17 January 2012 - 01:49 AM, said:

Really?after you tke out all the padding from it, it's pretty light weight, from a cost vs weight stand point, but it would look cool for sure

Its gonna look stock. Roof makes the most sense the hard part is finding an oven large enough. I have done them with IR lamps at lower temps in a pinch but its not fun. Even semi-decent parts are going to require ovens.

[Vagabond]

Center console.

Just thought of it.

[Swag Swag]

Che, on 17 January 2012 - 02:07 AM, said:

Its gonna look stock. Roof makes the most sense the hard part is finding an oven large enough. I have done them with IR lamps at lower temps in a pinch but its not fun. Even semi-decent parts are going to require ovens.

True, I guess I'm just not understanding on if Brett is doing this to fully save weight, to look cool, or both with the mind of producing it, cause if that was the case the roof would only be beneficial to that one car, you can't really mass produce CF roofs

[Che'_Moderator]

Swag Swag, on 17 January 2012 - 02:18 AM, said:

True, I guess I'm just not understanding on if Brett is doing this to fully save weight, to look cool, or both with the mind of producing it, cause if that was the case the roof would only be beneficial to that one car, you can't really mass produce CF roofs

Wagon and sedan. Fenders would require this also.

[Hippicus Rebuildacus]

make a roll cage then say fuck it all...

With a Rollcage you can do the following...

Fuck Doors
Fuck Trunks
Fuck Roofs
Fuck windows (lucite)
Fuck girlfriend handcuffed to rollcage

[Tommy.]

Ash Filler, on 17 January 2012 - 02:20 AM, said:

make a roll cage then say fuck it all...

With a Rollcage you can do the following...

Fuck Doors
Fuck Trunks
Fuck Roofs
Fuck windows (lucite)
Fuck girlfriend handcuffed to rollcage

Yes

[Dan A]

Front bumper cover with larger airflow inlets. Kinda like what Hussein was doing, but also a little lower. But I'd never buy one because I can't imagine what it would cost in CF and most cars here aren't worth more than $3k.

[Ian Carr]

Swag Swag, on 17 January 2012 - 01:49 AM, said:

Really?after you tke out all the padding from it, it's pretty light weight, from a cost vs weight stand point, but it would look cool for sure

ever open up a trunk without the shocks attached?

Good luck, would be interesting to see a widebody

[T5Hammy]

Vagabond, on 17 January 2012 - 12:22 AM, said:

I know how all of these type of threads end...

I'd start with actually producing something for everyone to see then post a thread, but since you blew your load early, my only suggestion is to skip the hood, cheaper to buy and better quality than anything you can produce at home.

Not gonna lie, this is a very possible outcome, but I will have some trim/decorative crap if nothing else, but I'm working with a buddy who has major composites experience who may get flown in to at least get me some decent width to the fenders one way or another.

What do you mean "these type of threads", I feel so... stereotypical. And in the end I may meet your expectations!

At least I did research and have a thread thats not "check out my new pegs... Is my new stance cool...another item I bolted on that every member of VS already owns"
I have the a decent amount of knowledge on the subject and now I'll see if I have enough skill to pull it off, learn by trial and error, and then either have a sweet one off or I fail and at least I get to make you smile sunshine!

Swag Swag, on 17 January 2012 - 01:15 AM, said:

In before chuck sighs and facepalms himself

Your one of the few people I know who could actually do this, but you my friend might need to put in the flame suit lol

Facepalm expected.
Any time I post I put my flame suit on, plus worst case scenario I get a little ridicule and cry myself to sleep tonight haha! Oh and thanks for the vote of confidence!

Che, on 17 January 2012 - 02:07 AM, said:

Its gonna look stock. Roof makes the most sense the hard part is finding an oven large enough. I have done them with IR lamps at lower temps in a pinch but its not fun. Even semi-decent parts are going to require ovens.

Ya, ovens will be a problem, most likely I will make a fender or any body piece then end up adding reinforcement weighing more than the original fender. Really I want wider tires with a custom look, fiberglass may end up being the material I use once CF makes me angry.

Honestly I just wanna help expand the available body modification to MY car, if I end up having a product that others want at a price people will pay why not make a few more when I already have a mold. Maybe I end up with none of the parts I wanted, but find I can efficiently create a part that someone else wants.

I like the trunk idea, and If i was going for weight reduction a roof would be awesome, but not until I get more experience and decent equipment (pipe dream most likely). Interior pieces have a good chance since they will most likely be far easier to produce.

Honestly thanks for all the responses, I'm not gonna get butthurt if you think I wont succeed. I'd be just as skeptical of anyone on the other end of the interwebz saying what I'm saying.

[Mesoam]

Swag Swag, on 17 January 2012 - 01:49 AM, said:

Really?after you tke out all the padding from it, it's pretty light weight, from a cost vs weight stand point, but it would look cool for sure

Ian Carr, on 17 January 2012 - 06:07 PM, said:

ever open up a trunk without the shocks attached?

TY...I remember Serge posting one day almost getting split in half by a trunk with shot struts, they aren't light at all...

[Vagabond]

either way good luck. I played with carbon fiber and it ended up being an expensive mess even with the books i bought and the you tube tutorials.

['12brotruckmofo]

Tires.