I'm seeing some expensive carbon fiber body parts on ebay such as fenders, bumpers, doors, trunk, etc (you get the idea)
are they really effective in saving weight for our 8's?
i know there's barely any weight savings for the hood, and from what I've researched here in the forum, some of the cf hood's are even heavier than the stock hood.
Anyone have any ideas or facts they want to share?

 

A properly done carbon fiber part (pre-preg) will be lighter than most other methods out there, including aluminum. However, that type of carbon fiber look doesn't sell as it looks dull and unfinished while most people like the wet glossy look. The wet look is generally achieved with a wet lay-up that is done by hand with a lot of excess resin. This decreases the strength of the part, and increases the weight, but it's what generally sells and so it's what we get. Wet lay-up may or may not be lighter than aluminum, but should definitely still be lighter than steel.

 

They are very effective at removing money from your wallet.

 

and they look nice.. if properly done..

beers

 

I think someone on here said a CF hood will save you 1lb

 

or add 2lbs

 

no, our hood weighs 14lbs, the cf hoods out there are ~12lbs.

thats not a lot of weight saving for $500.

 

i used to have a CF hood from www.body-kit.com it wasnt that much lighter compared to my stock hood.. in my opinion CF is mainly for show.. not to be taken seriously beyond that, at least so far as what CF is offered to us, im not talking about the F1 cars. hehe

 

you have any idea on trunk, fenders, etc???

 

for the cost the carbon you see does not save much weight. most are done wet lay up which with the resin added to the layers need to get strength to make part your right up back to weight of aluminum. the carbon that saves weight is dry fusion yes they do i but good luck someone to do it and cost you better bend over and take it. a lot of companies are claming do do dry carbon but i can make you a carbon peice put a flat clear coat and pass it off but in the end it is no you just paid more for a non gloss finish. plus carbon is not safe for daily driving in a accident it is not ment to fold and is verry brittle. in my experience with laying carbon fiber yes weight saving can be done with the risk of safety, finding someone with the right equiment, and paying out the ars. carbon is for looks on a street sometimes track car and espically with carbon doors

 

one or two carbon fiber body parts are not going to get you really far if you want to save weight..

instead get rid of as much unsprung weight as you can before you look at the chassis..

remove rear seats..
lighter battery..
lighter wheels..
remove unnecessary hardware from trunk..
lose some weight yourself..

etc.

 

The one option that is always considered last, if at all...

 

my seibon vented hood weighs more than the oem one.

 

i wouldnt worry much about the weight of the car with cf parts....the benefit is mainly aesthetics, and maybe cooling if vented....its the rotational mass which helps.....lighter rims, brakes, tires, etc that you will feel and will assist in acceleration....some other good things would be flywheel, clutch, etc so your drive train losses arent as high.....