RotaryDuke

I am thinking about getting some carbon fiber on my '8 but don't really know how it would look. Normally it looks great because you have some contrast, especially with light colored '8s like white ones. But sparkling black mica sort of resembles CF in color and I was worried that together it might look like crap. Does anyone have any pictures of this combo they could post? Thanks.

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

i think it would look pretty cool!

Chibana

I think it would look fantastic, too. I've debated that myself, although I think I would actually get the carbon fiber painted to match the body color if I go that route. Carbon fiber will fade in sunlight over time (which is why the production cars that have exposed carbon fiber have that very expensive clear coat applied to them).

RotaryDuke

Chibana, do you have an idea of how much it would cost to have the cf painted the color of the car? Maybe just a hood? Or could one do this one their own?

much2saxy

If you're going to paint it, then what's the point? Many carbon fiber parts weigh close to the same or more than the original piece, so all you're doing is wasting money.

sxe1215

stay away from carbon fiber!

Chibana

That depends on what part you're replacing. I don't think I would bother replacing the hood or rear doors, as they're aluminum and quite light from the factory. The trunk lid wouldn't help much, either. What I would like to replace the most is the roof (also eliminating my power moon roof, which I don't want). That would make the best use of weight savings: high in the car, and getting rid of the heavy, and head-room-robbing, moon roof. Main doors and fenders would also result in significant weight savings, I expect. The problem is, I don't know anyone, other than Mazdaspeed, who makes carbon fiber fenders or roofs for the RX-8. Mazdaspeed likely only sells them to race drivers, and the fenders would be for much wider tires than I'll ever run. Replacing the main (front) doors also eliminates the safety bars for side-impact protection.

As far as cost for painting, I imagine some might undertake that themselves, but this is definitely a case of "you get what you pay for." There is a large difference in the quality of a cheap paint job (like Maaco) and what you'll get at a good, trustworthy body shop. If I had to guess, I would guess a hood alone at a good shop would be around $200.