MazdaSpeed Body Kit Information
- Senior Menber -
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne,AU
sorry, found some more.. I must be interested.
Accolade Composite Technologies - Worlds Leading Body Kit Designers for Mitsubishi. Accolade Designs Custom Body Kits according Client Specifications and Develops the Product as well with Different Composites. (Added: 22-Aug-2002 Hits: 914 Rating: 8.17 Votes: 6) Rate It
Accolade Composite Technologies - Worlds Leading Body Kit Designers for Mitsubishi. Accolade Designs Custom Body Kits according Client Specifications and Develops the Product as well with Different Composites. (Added: 22-Aug-2002 Hits: 914 Rating: 8.17 Votes: 6) Rate It
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 45
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From: Wichita, KS
I have no idea what HPP plastic is, but their website says they have been doing FRP for 9 years. FRP - fiberglass reinforced plastic
Note: Most bodykits (even from Japan) are manufactured using FRP to save money. The R Magic one uses Urethane for front and FRP for side and rear. I personally do not see the point of using Urethane for side and rear (heavier and not subject to potential impact).
Is it true that the MS one uses ABS plastic? It must be relative heavy.
There is always the trade-offs.
I think another way is to custom fabricate a front-lip spoiler using carbon fiber.
Note: Most bodykits (even from Japan) are manufactured using FRP to save money. The R Magic one uses Urethane for front and FRP for side and rear. I personally do not see the point of using Urethane for side and rear (heavier and not subject to potential impact).
Is it true that the MS one uses ABS plastic? It must be relative heavy.
There is always the trade-offs.
I think another way is to custom fabricate a front-lip spoiler using carbon fiber.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Originally posted by bureau13
A carbon fiber front spoiler would be awfully easy to crack...
jds
A carbon fiber front spoiler would be awfully easy to crack...
jds
Any expert here?
Mazda Mole
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
ABS density = 0.0437 lb/in^3
Polyurethane dnesity = 0.0434 lb/in^3
Polypropolene density = 0.0448 lb/in^3
So ABS isn't that heavy compare to the other materials. I willing to bet that the knock-offs aren't exactly as thick as the Mazdaspeed kit, therefore it might seem lighter.
My experience with polyurethane and polypropolene is that it's a pretty soft plastic. ABS is a pretty tough plastic, very impact-resistant, a lot like polycarbonate. It's harder to work with but its mechanical properties are really nice.
Personal I think that alone is enough for me to justify the genuine Mazdaspeed components, plus the Mazdaspeed kit come painted, so no worries about paint matching and quality.
Mazdaspeed, I am assuming, will have full access to the Mazda drawing for RX-8 so their parts will always fit better than any aftermarket. They know what tolerance each aspect of the car is held at, aftermarket can only reverse engineer the components.
Magic8
Polyurethane dnesity = 0.0434 lb/in^3
Polypropolene density = 0.0448 lb/in^3
So ABS isn't that heavy compare to the other materials. I willing to bet that the knock-offs aren't exactly as thick as the Mazdaspeed kit, therefore it might seem lighter.
My experience with polyurethane and polypropolene is that it's a pretty soft plastic. ABS is a pretty tough plastic, very impact-resistant, a lot like polycarbonate. It's harder to work with but its mechanical properties are really nice.
Personal I think that alone is enough for me to justify the genuine Mazdaspeed components, plus the Mazdaspeed kit come painted, so no worries about paint matching and quality.
Mazdaspeed, I am assuming, will have full access to the Mazda drawing for RX-8 so their parts will always fit better than any aftermarket. They know what tolerance each aspect of the car is held at, aftermarket can only reverse engineer the components.
Magic8
Mazda Mole
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
Carbon Fiber is a brittle material. All brittle materials will fail in a spectular manner. Think of breaking glass. Plastics, in general, are really impact-resist. It can absorb the energy then stretch and elongate to disperse the energy. The brittle material needs to get rid of the energy by break molecular bonds, thus shattering. Brittle materials by definition have very little elongation at failure.
Think of it this way (I hope this analogy helps)
Take a glass Spagetti Jar 5 feet in the air and drop it. Compare that with a plastic Spagetti Jar 5 feet in the air and drop it. I willing to bet that the plastic jar will survive.
Magic8
Think of it this way (I hope this analogy helps)
Take a glass Spagetti Jar 5 feet in the air and drop it. Compare that with a plastic Spagetti Jar 5 feet in the air and drop it. I willing to bet that the plastic jar will survive.
Magic8
Last edited by Magic8; Oct 25, 2003 at 04:37 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
MazdaSpeed body kit for RX8 located
I found what appears to be a genuine MazdaSpeed body kit up for auction on ebay. Can anyone confirm the authenticity of this kit. It seems to have Mazda part numbers.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=23012
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=23012
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
I saw that auction and have a sneaky feeling it's a rip off. Notice it's from out side the country. Besides, whoever wins the auction will be responsible for paying frieght into the US not to mention the duty fee for importing such a large item. Either way it's still going to be super expensive and you're still not sure your getting the correct product. Don't do it. Save your hard earned $ for something legit and at least here in the states.
