Well since nobody seems to make dash kits for our cars I've looked into making carbon fiber parts myself. After reading alot of descriptions and what not I dont think i have the patience nor the skill to do something like that. I'd like to get the center bezel for the stereo, the instrument cluster and a few other little things done. If anyone knows of a company or can do it themselves for a decent price please let me know.

 

http://lightning.prohosting.com/~7wishes/fcindex1.html
and I think I've seen them elsewhere, anyways. I dunno about prices ;-)

 

They have been saying coming soon for over 2 years now. Mazdaspeed7 works with carbon fiber. You could try asking him.

 

Since you are looking for carbon parts that will not be painted, the person you have do the work will need a vacuum system as well as an oven. Carbon, or actually the resins used, will cure at room temp - but the first time the part sees a temp above that they will recure. You must bag the parts and pull a vacuum to get out all the air bubbles. Pre-Preg is another good step.

The only reason I tell you this is that although the molds used to create the part are the same as most fiberglas work - not everyone is equipped to do the work and it turn out good. So watch out.

I have been tinkering with the idea of some small interior and exterior parts for the second gen to offer retail. I would like to offset the cost of the vacuum system and small oven with some up front orders. If we get enough post for the same parts and the people are willing to place orders - money to be held in an online escrow until parts are received, I have no problem building the molds.

These are the parts we were thinking of:

Triangle mirror covers - electric and manual
Dash Cluster surround - the one the light and wiper switches are in
Idiot light surround - in the middle top of the dash
Center console
Head light lids

Let me know if you can think of anything else and or if you would be interested. All parts need to be around the sizes listed above to start out with, so we can bake them. All parts would be made from Pre-Preg 2x2 twill weave fabric (the one you are most common to see used for visual parts), vacuum bagged and cured in an oven. Prices would be firmed up before orders are taken but for example the headlight lids could be around $150 a set. triangle mirror covers around $75 per set.

-billy

 

-Billy-
Thanks for the info. I would definately be interesed in everything but the headlights. Let me know if you bring this to a reality because i'll definately be in.

What prices are you looking at for the Dash Cluster surround,
Idiot light surround , and Center console ?

 

First, not all resins require baking to fully cure. The resins I use DO NOT. And while vacuum bagging is the best way to get a perfect finish, it costs an average of twice what it costs to make a non-vacuum mold, and the finish on the front would be identical.

How long have you worked with pre-peg carbon fiber? By the nature of pre-peg's, they are almost ALWAYS wavy. This greatly reduces the strength, and doesnt look nearly as nice as straight fibers. And then they need to be vacuum bagged and oven cured.

Do you really have any idea how much labor goes into small pieces like that? You would have to sell lots to even break even. This is the reason I have strayed away from small interior parts.

 

I do have a question about CF. I was thinking of redoing the stereo mounting bracket and make a gauge holder system for 3 52 mm gauges and I think it would be cool to have a flush mounted CF sheet with a bracket system in the back. The stereo would be at the bottom right above the ashtray and the three gauges would be above that. Mazdaspeed do you think that would be a be a feasible project or do you know where I can get a nice straight piece of CF that can do what I am looking to do?

 

shadyteke,

Not a problem. Just trying to help. I will keep you informed.

mazdaspeed7,

My partner, who will be buiding the molds and laying up the parts does this for a living. We both work for a high tech motorsports facility in the south east. His resume goes back many, many years in the motorsports industry. Over the past few weeks he has been involved with building an IRL tub. I have never questioned your knowledge, Do not question mine. I have manufactured product before for retail sale. Why are you so concerned with my profit margin anyway?


-billy

 

I wasnt questioning your experience. I was just curious as to how much you have. I think my dream job would be doing composite work like that for a living. I do it simply as a hobby I use to make a little extra cash right now. About the price, It makes more sense with the resources you have. I could not sell those things for that price simply because I could not make enough pieces to make it profitable. If you do have the resorces, more power to you. I would really like to see interior stuff made out of carbon fiber at a reasonable price, but I am not able to do that with my resources.

ZachSpazz, Ill look into a good way to make the brackets withoug screws holding the front panel in. That doesnt sound hard at all to do though.

 

Zach,

You could also try this

http://www.cstsales.com/carbon-plate.htm


mazdaspeed7,

How attached to Savannah are you? Would you consider a relocation if an opening becomes available?

-billy

 

i think the center console, dummy lights, and dash cluster surround would be GREAT ideas.
I would need to see pictures of the others before I judged.
And how much do you think these pieces would cost. I mean, structural integrity shouldn't be too much of a problem, its an interior piece, not something that will see much wear and tear (hopefully). So this is mainly a visual upgrade, and possibly replacement for **** panels.

Also, mazdaspeed7, love what ya did w/ the sig

 

I would seriously consider it if the circumstances were right, such as a job offer from the company you work for As long as it was enough to pay rent and so forth, I would love to do that. Feel free to PM or email me. my email is in my sig.

 

Is anyone else here sick of nodes ****?

 

That was a decent post by Node.

 

Hmm, I looked at that site and saw a few things that could possible work. Basically, I hate the way the DIN stereo mounting kits look and if I can fit three autometer gauges into a plate and relocate the stereo to above the ashtray...all the better. What thickness of CF would you guys suggest? Since I plan on putting the heavy stereo at the bottom, I could possible create "legs" that would support the rear of the stereo to prevent it from flexing in the bracket, unless there is a way to accomplish that by created a bracket in the CF face itself.

Would anyone else be interested in this? It'd be a nice way of mounting gauges besides the A-pillar and perhaps there could be an option for those of use who run turbo-timers, AVC-Rs', etc.

I think it would look damn slick.

 

 

I wanted to bump this to the top...

I also was thinking that carbon fiber door handles would be rad since the stock ones are so crappy. :p

 

inside or outside?

-billy

 

The outside ones. The stock handles being made of lousy pot-metal seem to break on these cars with regularity (knock on wood) and if carbon fiber ones were made, it would be both an upgrade for looks and for practical purposes.

 

Im looking for

a radiator plate

and someone to make a custom shroud for my efan for my radiator

 

Theres people that make carbon fiber here. No one id trust my money with though.

 

Back from the dead, I see. 87GTR, send me a PM if youre serious about the radiator panel.

 

QUOTE-
Theres people that make carbon fiber here. No one id trust my money with though.

I wouldn't trust the quality either. I have experience in this one and I know 87GTR has an eye for quality as I do.

All the CF I bought and actually used for my HMIC conversion was from www.carbontrix.com They offer a reasonable price, excellant quality and fast shipping. I bought a huge sheet of CF that is a thin layer of CF over 1/8" black fiberglass and a vacuum bagged all CF hood vent (strong, scratch resistant and light).

If any one wants custom projects I would check w/ them, but I could see how low volume work would cost a lot.

 

www.fc3s.org makes some mis. CF parts for FC's , like hoods, headlight covers, radiator covers, and other little things, im too lazy to read the post to see of neone has mentioned them yet but if not , check them out

 

do not buy cf radiator panel from mazdaspeed7 i paid him for one on 3/4/03 and he told me 2 to 3 weeks for me to get it. i am still waiting for it and he doesn't respond to my e-mails that i have been sending to him for the past month. raul