teddyrx2

iTrader: (33)

Fiberglass fenders hood front end peices but not the wide body **** enough of that already mazdatrix and a few other companies already make those

+1

+1

+1

+1

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

For those who can't do the metric conversion that's roughly 22 lbs, hardly "not much difference". I will say the stock hoods are not rediculously light. I hate moving mine around when I'm messing around with the FB(it's not connected)

swbtm

iTrader: (2)

I was not trying to start anything with the comment about weight savings with a cf hood. I just think that the stock hoods are pretty light. My language before was harsh, my apologies. Fibremaz, how much does a cf hood weigh?

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

I've planned on building hoods since the idea first struck me. I've got some more pics to post in the next few days or so but I just wanted to let you guys know that I got in another shipment of cloth. I've got a decent assortment in my collection now-from 1oz/sq yard mat to 18-24oz/sq yard structural cloth, with some sizes in between. The heavy-weight stuff is more for molds, but I figured that body panels and hoods could use at least one good layer of it for better strength...

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

IIRC His weigh's around 5.5kg so around 12lbs or so. Stock hoods weigh a little over 35lbs so it's about a 23lbs weight savings.

teddyrx2

iTrader: (33)

good stuff...

NoPis10

iTrader: (29)

Some ideas of items I would like...
Hood (with TII scoop)
Sunroof
Wiper cowl (smoothed out with NO vents)
Bumpers
Header Panel (non vented or vented)
Healight covers (non vented or vented)
84-85 Center console (smoothed out to mount gauges)

Thanks

ultima 1

Adam, good work. I have a mariah wide body and am doing a turbo swap which needs front vents for my hood.

I think I need side skirts and a rear spoiler.

I am looking at side vents as well as a porsche speedster style bubble for my convertible.

I am looking at the tesla electric car and others for ideas as this style of new cars hasn't been done yet so no copy arguments.

Take your time, this stuff takes loads of time...ask the fibremaz guy, he hasn't slept in months

FIBREMAZ

I have molds for -
Wiper cowl
Headlight covers

I can get f/glass header panels

Finally got an 84/85 console and gearshift plate lined up to mold as well

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

Hell yea, I've been waiting on the S3 (american style) center panel. I feel your pain brother, making custom originals to build molds from takes time...

Sorry I haven't responded lately-I've had a lot of **** going on. I'm busting my *** on the gauge poded cowl panel whenever I can fit it in my schedule (at least a couple hours a day), and I've got the original close but it's not perfect yet. Still a few days away before I'm ready to make a mold of it. I've had a lot of other stuff going on at the same time, but I always make sure to squeeze time for that stuff in...

Here's a few pics to hold you guys over until next time...

Viking War Hammer

iTrader: (8)

One peice front end

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

Here's some more progress pics-I'm still not finished with the gauge pod cowl piece, but I had to primer it so I could find the flaws in the original a bit easier. I'm still at least a couple more days away from using this piece to make a mold from, I have to perfect it first...

You can see some of the flaws and the areas that need work if you look around the gauge pod itself in the pics. The production pieces will be completely smooth, with no texture whatsoever to them, so I've still got minor sanding on that part too...

I'll continue to keep you guys updated as often as possible...

As soon as I get a couple of molds of this cowl panel made, I'll be moving on to other pieces...

NoPis10

iTrader: (29)

That looks good.... Can you make one without the pod???

L8R

dbragg

iTrader: (7)

^^ im game for a solid piece if the price is right and i have cash at the time

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

That's cool-let me get a few molds made from the piece with the pod and I'll just cut it off and smooth it out to make you guys a smooth flat version. Cliffh has given me another idea-a replacement a-pillar gauge pod. I'd like to start on that soon while I'm waiting for paint/filler/epoxy to dry on the cowl panel...

I bought a universal a-pillar gauge pod to use in my FB, but it's WAAAY to wide to use. I thought I could massage it to shape with a heat gun, but I think I'll just build the pods into the extra a-pillar cover I have from my SE.

I've been thinking of other products that I'd like to produce in the future, and I had remembered that there was a demand (at least there used to be) for a flush-mount headlight kit. I think I could build some cardboard templates for the housing and make them from fiberglass, but I'm not quite sure what I'd use for headlights or a clear cover. I'd like to eliminate the excess weight in the front end of the headlight motors and housings in my car eventually anyway. But first things first-I've got to uphold my word and finish a few other pieces before I get started on that...

Hopefully I'll have some more pics for you guys tomorrow if I can get more primer on the cowl panel...

djjjr42

Before you go further into developing a pillar gauge pod, check out this plastic one made for the FB:
http://www.gaugepods.com/mazda.html
I'm interested in seeing what you come up with for a flush headlight, that would be sweet!

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

Indeed flush lights would be very awesome. Not sure what to use on lights but you could use Lexan for the clear covers

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

Hell yea, DJ-thanks for the link. I didn't know anybody made the pillar pods for FB's. That one's a full pillar for the S3 models but only holds two gauges. I've got a crapload of aftermarket gauges to install in mine. I wonder if a triple pillar pod or even a quad-gauge pillar would interest anybody...

As for the flush headlights, that's still a ways away but there is a special hardener avaliable for the West System epoxy resin that keeps it clear (no yellowish tint after hardening) that could possibly be used for the covers. But I don't really know much about it-I know it's designed to cover wood grain on boats so the grain is visible for a natural wood finish, but I'm not sure how it would withstand direct sunlight and exposure to all the elements constantly in that application...

No more new pics today. I did manage to get more primer on the cowl panel and a thin coat of black for a good block sanding (so I can see high and low spots-I'm not gonna sell you guys any "friendly" or wavy parts) after adding a bit more filler where I needed it. There's still more work, and I know the panel's not perfect yet, but I'll have it ready as soon as I can...

I may go ahead and work on a smooth flat panel for you guys using the piece that came from my SE. It needs quite a bit of work, but I figured I'd better hang on to the original gauge cowl panel to make future molds from...

Anyway, I'll continue to update as often as possible...

djjjr42

No problem man. I've got it installed in my car. I'd like to have a 3 pod one, 4 might be too crowded though, idk.

I also don't know if that resin would hold up to the wind without something backing it up either. It sounds kinda like polyurethane for hardwood floors.

ultima 1

hey, i need a three pod as well. i will be installing some gauges in my center console until I figure where they will go Not great visibilty, though, cliff

Tranquil

iTrader: (1)

Hell I'll take that cowl piece. It'll be great for the FPR gauge.

But will not having the vents affect anything and will there be holes for the right wiper blade and center washer?

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

The vents shouldn't affect much, if any at all. I figured with them missing there's less of a chance that gunk, crap, and leaves will build up in the wiper motor area, lessining the chances of wiper motor harm or electrical failure. There may be some kind of entry hidden in that area for the fan setting on the heater/AC controls, so the fan setting may not blow cooler, fresh air after installing it...

The production pieces will have a small (1/16") indentation where the passenger side wiper arm protrudes, meaning that you'd have to drill your own hole if you're installing it on a street-driven FB or it could be easily filled with quality filler before primering and painting for race or track-only/wiper deleted cars. This cuts down the work that I have to do and results in bigger savings for you guys. Of course, I'll be able to cut the hole if you so preferred, but it would cost a couple/few dollars above the cost of the production piece. I will be drilling the hole for the gauge in these parts, so when they are finally avaliable, just be sure to inform me if you'd like to run any other size gauge then the standard 2-1/16" unit. A 2-5/8" gauge won't fit in that pod, but smaller fuel psi gauges will...

Sorry it's taken awhile since my last update guys. I've been busy cutting up a $100,000 car to install air ride on it and most of my concentration has been on that thing for the last few days. I need to use my board sander to ensure the cowl piece is perfectly flat before I can paint it and start making molds, but I'm sure I'll still have a couple small spots that still need work. I don't want to sell you guys ANY panel that's a bit too "friendly" or wavy, and I tend to take a lot of time perfecting the projects I'm working on. But when these parts are finished, you'll understand when you see the quality...

Thanks for your patience with me guys-you'll be seeing parts soon...

NoPis10

iTrader: (29)

Thanks for the update

djjjr42

I think you might be right about why those vents are there, probably to pull in fresh air for the heater/ac. I wouldn't think Mazda just put them there for looks, or so that they could collect leaves, acorns, and the occasional screw that falls in when you're working under the hood.

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

Yeah IIRC the vent is there only for the "vent" setting on the logicon. But it could be used for the heat and A/C but I'm not sure if that's correct or not