Composite panels any thoughts?
Discussion
I am currently considering commissioning some carbon fibre bonnets and wondered whether there is much interest out there for this type of product. I have identified three bonnet types that could be produced:
Boxter/ 996
964/ 993/ 911
924/ 944
with the subtleties between the models addressed at the time of manufacture.
There could also be two different finishes available, one with an extremely smooth ready to paint finish, and the other in plain carbon fibre weave (for those that want to show off).
Thoughts as to possible interest in these bonnets is sought.
This stems from wanting this type of product for my own car.
P.S. I am not a company touting for business, just a Porsche enthusiast wanting the views of fellow enthusiasts .
Boxter/ 996
964/ 993/ 911
924/ 944
with the subtleties between the models addressed at the time of manufacture.
There could also be two different finishes available, one with an extremely smooth ready to paint finish, and the other in plain carbon fibre weave (for those that want to show off).
Thoughts as to possible interest in these bonnets is sought.
This stems from wanting this type of product for my own car.
P.S. I am not a company touting for business, just a Porsche enthusiast wanting the views of fellow enthusiasts .
I doubt you`ll have much luck with 924/44 bonnets given their likely cost and how much most of the respective owners would be prepared to pay.
964/93 would be your best bet. They are already on the market at a price. Most people paint the outside and leave the inside bare. A lot of RS owners would fit them to save their aluminium ones from getting damaged.
996 owners presumably have the most money although their bonnets are pence to replace anyway.
If they are mouthwateringly cheap I`d buy !
Final thought - if you want to save weight on the car your best bet is to bin the doors and replace them with composite items (having first installed a full roll cage of course !) Weight saving on the front of the car is not ultimately of primary concern. Mid/ Rear saving is preferable.
Henry
964/93 would be your best bet. They are already on the market at a price. Most people paint the outside and leave the inside bare. A lot of RS owners would fit them to save their aluminium ones from getting damaged.
996 owners presumably have the most money although their bonnets are pence to replace anyway.
If they are mouthwateringly cheap I`d buy !
Final thought - if you want to save weight on the car your best bet is to bin the doors and replace them with composite items (having first installed a full roll cage of course !) Weight saving on the front of the car is not ultimately of primary concern. Mid/ Rear saving is preferable.
Henry
henry-F said:
I doubt you`ll have much luck with 924/44 bonnets given their likely cost and how much most of the respective owners would be prepared to pay.
964/93 would be your best bet. They are already on the market at a price. Most people paint the outside and leave the inside bare. A lot of RS owners would fit them to save their aluminium ones from getting damaged.
996 owners presumably have the most money although their bonnets are pence to replace anyway.
If they are mouthwateringly cheap I`d buy !
Final thought - if you want to save weight on the car your best bet is to bin the doors and replace them with composite items (having first installed a full roll cage of course !) Weight saving on the front of the car is not ultimately of primary concern. Mid/ Rear saving is preferable.
Henry
How much are we looking at for C/F against Ali? I am 993 biased, so I know that I can get an Ali bonnet for just under a grand including the VAT.
But Henry, you are suggesting that these might be a little too soft regular for road use and abuse?
D5hef,
Is it carbon fibre that you specifically want? There are many UK parts companies that already offer fibreglass bonnets for 944's and from memory they are around the £300 mark. Wings can be had for under £200 if you are serious about the weight loss,I know that Simon Butterworth had some perspex (lexan) hatchbacks to balance up the weight loss at the back.
A bugger to install and don't use your rear wiper though
Is it carbon fibre that you specifically want? There are many UK parts companies that already offer fibreglass bonnets for 944's and from memory they are around the £300 mark. Wings can be had for under £200 if you are serious about the weight loss,I know that Simon Butterworth had some perspex (lexan) hatchbacks to balance up the weight loss at the back.
A bugger to install and don't use your rear wiper though
Just backing up henry-f 's comments , I've been quoted £700-800 for a carbonfibre 964 pattern bonnet sourced from Germany, compared to £1400 for an aluminium one(964RS) , and £80 for a s/h steel one !
As Henry suggests, taking the weight off the front is not all good news, and for trackdays I'd adjust the fuel loading to compensate for weight of bonnet.
In answer to David Hype, the ally bonnets will dent up easily if hit by something heavy or even if you are heavy handed shutting them, the carbonfibre bonnets don't suffer that problem and are stronger+ lighter but do not fit as well, dont expect usual precision shut-lines
As Henry suggests, taking the weight off the front is not all good news, and for trackdays I'd adjust the fuel loading to compensate for weight of bonnet.
In answer to David Hype, the ally bonnets will dent up easily if hit by something heavy or even if you are heavy handed shutting them, the carbonfibre bonnets don't suffer that problem and are stronger+ lighter but do not fit as well, dont expect usual precision shut-lines
It`s not that the aluminium bonnets are soft, just very expensive. A composite one will be cheaper and so some people fit them just in case the have an off. Others want to fit bonnet pins and don`t want to put holes in an ali unit.
The guys who race 944`s won`t be paying the money for carbon items, glass fibre will do fine.
That said a carbon panel really is a work of art when made well.
Henry
The guys who race 944`s won`t be paying the money for carbon items, glass fibre will do fine.
That said a carbon panel really is a work of art when made well.
Henry
Thanks for the feed back chaps. I have been down the glass fibre route on my 924 race car. I find it to be not very strong and quite thick compared to the original metal panels.
I accept that carbon fibre is probably going to be relatively expensive compared to the original metal panels (certainly 996/ Boxter and 924/44 bonnets are currently very cheap). But for those running GT/ RS cars probably financially less of a problem?
Can anyone point me towards manufacturers that make c/f bonnets for the previously mentioned models? That way I can understand what people are having to pay, and what price I would have to get the manufacturer I'm talking to down to, to make them financially attractive.
Thanks Again!
I accept that carbon fibre is probably going to be relatively expensive compared to the original metal panels (certainly 996/ Boxter and 924/44 bonnets are currently very cheap). But for those running GT/ RS cars probably financially less of a problem?
Can anyone point me towards manufacturers that make c/f bonnets for the previously mentioned models? That way I can understand what people are having to pay, and what price I would have to get the manufacturer I'm talking to down to, to make them financially attractive.
Thanks Again!
D5hef (Not David Shefford?) these guys would be willing to help out I'm sure....
www.activacarbon.com
www.activacarbon.com
LOL - Did I ever tell you about the arsehole in a 911 Turbo who cut me up in 2003 on teh N138 on the way to Le Mans, or the arsehole in a 911 Turbo (pattern emerging here) who overtook me coming into the Ford Chicane and rear ended a Tickford Capri some years ago?...
I guess you get as many pricks in 911s as you do in Caterhams eh? (and before you ask....I own both a 911 and a Caterham)
Activa look like they are doing the carbon job properly - that's what counts, not whether their MD likes showing off in his 300 bhp (allegedly) Caterham.
I guess you get as many pricks in 911s as you do in Caterhams eh? (and before you ask....I own both a 911 and a Caterham)
Activa look like they are doing the carbon job properly - that's what counts, not whether their MD likes showing off in his 300 bhp (allegedly) Caterham.
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