Yeah, I put my name on the Group Buy list for CorkSport, but I'm DEFINITELY more interested in this, especially with the piano black option.

Incidentally, I found an ad for a company here in Phoenix, AZ that does custom fiberglassing; free estimates and all that junk. Has anyone looked at that route in depth at all? Since I was in love with my stock Bose setup when I got my 8, I'm 99% out of touch with the aftermarket stereo development for this car, so that's probably a very stupid question, but you never know 'til you ask!

 

Basically you have to carbon fibre the entire peace. Since we were doing a repeatable setup in this thread it was determined to not be an option. Now a carbon fibre face, like we were doing aluminum now, might be possible. Basically there are two parts to your stereo, being the face and the rest. Right now the plan is to replace just the face and leave a double din hole. You could do the same with carbon fibre if you found a way to screw into it.

 

So is the point of this project to make 2 pieces? One part would be the face and the other would be the AC controls? Or is just a face being made to replace the stock one and we need to find out the AC controls ourselves? Im a little lost as to what you are saying. I guess im not the not brightest crayon in the box

 

No...this project will make one piece...a new face. The second part...uhh...the "back" for lack of a better term...is a double din mount for the factory stereo. So the AC Controls and such will remain...you will just loose all the radio buttons.

So if you are looking at the image below the project will replace all of the black stuff you can see.

 

Hmmm...I think I get it now. So the project is basically going to be a face with the AC controls. And we can use the stock double din mount for the radio?

 

Stock Double Din Mount, Stock AC Controls...new face. YupYup

 

HHAHA...yes break through....I learned something. Hope someone posts a DIY on this when its out.

 

Late night bump!! Let's keep this thread alive.

 

Im still watching...

 

HAHA..i think were all still watching. June is coming up and the unit i want is going to be released. Really looking forward to actually seeing it in my car.

 

I got accessories for my DVD player for my birthday (today)!!! I want this... I want it willingly...

LOL

 

I was wondering this too..

I'm not sure exactly how powell is going about this..it sounds to me like he got a 3d cad drawing when he got a quote on the injection mold being built, and now he's shopping it around to local machine shops to get it made from a solid chunk of aluminum. I don't believe he would be getting this cast, as that would cost even more than building an injection mold.

Errrr anyway, back on topic. I'm a machinist by trade, and we do work on some anodized and powder coated parts. If this is a full machined piece with a good finish, then I think getting the part anodized would be the way to go. You can get a glossy black anodize, I'm just not sure how well it would match up with the rest of the dash. I'm curious as hell how he is going about getting this done.

 

no...not getting it machined out of a chunk of aluminum. the current plan is to replace the plastic faceplate with a shapped piece of aluminum sheet metal.

 

if it looks good and fits im in

 

Well i think all of us are really waiting to see how it looks in aluminum. All we know is that its something different and there are going to be ppl that will love it and hate it. But if the price is right I think everyone will love it.

 

But that is the reason why I suggested aluminum. Once it is completed you can paint, powder coat, brush, whatever the piece so it looks exactly how you want. We have the option of moving the HVAC controls around, adding extra crap to it, whatever. Freedom is key I think.

 

Yea, it sounds like a cool idea. So is he looking to get it stamped and formed, do you think?

And I agree, if it's a nice piece of aluminum you can make it look really nice, very versatile.

 

Since he was looking at getting large quantities done I am pretty sure he would go stamped but only he knows for sure.

 

billet FTW

 

My only concern is that aluminum is difficult to paint. We will see though.

I just wish there were more updates on the progress. I know the thread is "Gauging interest", I think there is plenty of interest, but is this vaporware?

 

I wouldn't recommend painting aluminum. I think anodizing would be the way to go. Tough as hell and it looks good.

 

If I remember correctly anodized aluminum has like a colored clear finish over the top. If you don't want that I believe he said he would powder coat them which would give them a painted look.

 

I never seen anything like that. Usually a satin finish look to it.

 

Anodized Aluminum...



Powder Coated Aluminum...

 

i'd be willing to pay extra for him to powder coat it since i know absolutely NOTHING about that kind of stuff