Carbon fibre bonnet?

[Tam Lin]

Hi,

just wondering if anyone has replaced that piece of real estate with something lighter, i.e. carbon fibre/kevlar. Not a cheap option, I'm sure, but I think a purple Cerb would look rather mean with a bonnet left in natural carbon black. And if that doesn't save 30 lb out front, I'm a Frenchman.

Any thoughts?

[kojak69]

Hi Sean.

It will certainly cut down the weight a little, but I think i'd rather see it the same colour as the car. IMHO (you asked).

[davidd]

I've been thinking about ways to get shot of some of the weight, the boot and bonnet would be a good start.

The other option is the lighter matting version or whatever it is that the factory is now using...not sure that woud be enough.

D.

[Byff]

Pah! Boot, bonnet, if you really want to reduce weight, take out the engine and fit peddles or better still, cut out the floor and transmission tunnel and make it a Fred Flintstone car.

[TVR SLag's BiL]

Me and the BiL were thinking about getting some carbon Fibre stuff made up. Looking for the dash first then maybe the bonnet and boot.

If only i know someone who used carbon fibre and with a clave? Oh I have one!

If the plans go ahead it will be easier/cheaper to do a few than just one or two, will keep you posted.

>> Edited by TVR SLag's BiL on Monday 29th March 23:00

[shadowninja]

Tried the gym?

[SGirl]

First person to suggest he should leave the wife at home will get a smack!!

[Julian64]

No need to leave her behind, just make her go on a diet.

[SGirl]

Do you mind?!

[kojak69]

This threads is going to get nasty.

[p7ulg]

shadowninja said:

Tried the gym?

Its true have you ever noticed all these superbikes with carbon this and carbon that and then someone weighing 18st gets on!

[FourWheelDrift]

The bonnet is light already being made of fibreglass. I don't think carbon fibre would really cut too much weight off, it'll just make it easier to fly open driving along when you realise you haven't locked it off as usual

You'd probably save the weight by replacing the metal bonnet stay (the arm you hold the bonnet up with that doesn't belong to you or a mate) with a plastic one.

[jeremyc]

This Cerbera has a fair number of lightweight panels you may be interested in.

[shpub]

FourWheelDrift said:

The bonnet is light already being made of fibreglass. I don't think carbon fibre would really cut too much weight off, it'll just make it easier to fly open driving along when you realise you haven't locked it off as usual

You don't know how true this is...

I had a carbon fibre one made for the wedge but it distingrated because of the flexing it recieved due to the air pressure in the engine bay. Delaminated at around 80 mph on the motorway. I now have a fibreglass version made from a single layer of cloth that has gel coat srayed onto it. Just as light but the cloth provides some flexibility. Also added a lot of stiffening by inserting a big air vent a la elise.

Having taken the cerbera bonnet off it is considerably lighter than the wedge one and while there is some saving, it will be minimal.

[Plotloss]

Dont the LW Cerbs have a thinner bonnet?

Perhaps you could try one of them first?

[BCA]

Plotloss said:

Dont the LW Cerbs have a thinner bonnet? Perhaps you could try one of them first?

Yes, it also has a drilled chassis if my memory isnt playing trick on me. What a load of rubbish, infact - I am yet to see a lightweight that is any lighter than a standard car, they all seem to be heavier?? Im sure someone weighed thier 96 Cerb on here and it came close to 1150kilos (ddavid?) which is a fair bit lighter than other "lightweights" that have been tested.

Isnt the whole lot just done so they can build more cars without having regulations hurled at them??


If you want to save weight - rip out the seats/ replace them with lighter ones (they are quite heavy standard!) and just forget the back two if you really want to see some savings. Also, the company at PF last year (CTG?) that made carbon propshafts? - very impressive, there must be a decent weight saving there surely?? Quite a nice place to lose weight thinking about it

[washy]

Indeed my 2003 "lightweight" weighs 1200Kg. If you want to get rid of weight you could remove the A/C system. I think that weighs about 35Kgs. Not sure if magnesium alloys would save much overall but could help reduce unsprung weight. As BCA says - Chuck out the rear seats and replace the fronts with Carbon fibre race jobs. That'd shave a good few kilos off. Sports cans I imagine are a good bit lighter than the standard rear box. Then rip out carpets and sound proofing!! It really depends what you want to do with the car. Reducing weight on any kind of reasonable scale is going to result in a less comfortable car for day to day use I imagine. Still if anyone on here can come up with a good bonnet, boot and maybe door replacement that is proven to save a good bit of weight I'd certainly reach for my wallet! I'm stuck between comfort and ultimate track day hoonery potential at the moment. Sadly the two don't work together to well.

[Plotloss]

40kgs is supposedly the difference between the LW and normal Cerbs.

This is only in the doors, bonnet and bootlid.

I think if you take a TVR to a weighbridge you may uncover another load of Blackpool fibs...

[joospeed]

I have a customer who makes things in CF, he's done some rather tasty air boxes in his cerbie engine bay, I have another one on my office wall, not cheap but beautifully made
maybe if there was enoug interest he could do bonnets and boots? .. i certainly know he's looking to do some door innards in CF for me *yummy*

[trooper1212]

joospeed said:

I have a customer who makes things in CF, he's done some rather tasty air boxes in his cerbie engine bay, I have another one on my office wall, not cheap but beautifully made maybe if there was enoug interest he could do bonnets and boots? .. i certainly know he's looking to do some door innards in CF for me *yummy*

Don't keep him to yourself, let us know prices and contact details!