Hello All,

We are using this post to conduct research for a particular product within the second generation rx7 community. Please respond to this thread with your thoughts of the listed product. We are looking for your thoughts on price, material choice and such. We encourage feedback and criticism from each of you.

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Gen 2 Mazda Rx7 carbon replacement triangle dash vents:

Original shape has been reverse engineered from measured points using Coordinate Measurement Machine.

2D Shape imported into solid modeling system to create 3D model using the original size and shape for the base.

Finalized model to be CNC machined into 3D pattern for molding purposes.

Parts to be vacuum bagged pre impregnated carbon ~ .020 Thick.
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Please note: This is not the final model. A perfected shape and blend will be produced before final machining. This product is not currently available. This product may not be produced. The purpose of this research is to see if the product meets the demands within the community.

The first attachment is a rendered picture in carbon
The second attachment is a rotating model.

Thank You.

 

Animation File - Quality is poor due to the file size requirements to post.

 

Sounds Good, Looks Good,
However this sounds like any number of "I want to make CF parts" posts

You will find LOTS of interest, but you have not provided us with a projected cost, projected release date and where they are available. Send me an E-mail. I am interested in an initial bulk order and distribution rights for the US. John zach12@aikenelectric.net

 

Not worth any money since the vent is supposed to de-fog the windows. Your vent is pointed out instead of up and towards the windows. You would have better luck making CF center consoles since those always break, CF e-brake handles. Whatever you decide to produce, make them look and perform like the OEM parts do.

 

These are great post. This is what we are looking for.
Projected product release would have one major deciding factor. That being design time on the 3D model based on feedback about the shape. Once a model has been finalized it would take less than a week to produce the pattern and construct the molds needed.

Before posting, I was well aware of previous claims to produce products in carbon. That is why we stated that this was a research post as well as have shown the project further than most have followed through with thus far.

The concern expressed about the functionality is well warranted. The parts would function as the factory pieces. Unfortunately it is very hard to tell from the rendering but the opening has a internal lip that is set to the factory fin angle. Final design would be guaranteed to function as factory.

Thank you so far. Keep the ideas coming.

 

This is a replacement for the stereo area. We are still waiting on this factory panel to finalize mounting holes, and base shape. The current design has the gauges angled up toward the driver. We are contemplating a side angle toward driver as well.

Again, thank you for your help.

 

Side Image

 

You know what I want:

A 3 or 4 Gage Pod to mount in the warning light opening on the dash. It would replace the warning light trim and require relocating the warning lights.

I am still interested in being a distributor. John

 

I like the gauge pod idea. I would definitally got for that. A suggestion though, would be to try to make it so it only fills up half of the stereo face area (Double DIN?), so those of us with aftermarket recievers (Single DIN?) can have both the stereo face and the gauge pod installed.

I also definitally like the vents, as long as they have the funtionality of the OEM ones.

 

I, too, would like the warning lights/trim replaced with a triple gauge pod.

Teh radio replacement panel you shown looked very nice.

The demister grils looked ok, maybe not all that functional, but the stock ones arent really *that* functional anyway. I would buy a set, if priced close to that of stock replacements, just because it would go with any interior color and be somethign different.

Keep up the good work, and let us know more details.
IT is also possible, that other than a deal with banzaitoyota, we could work out something...IM starting a formal webpage soon, and I will be offering a select few aftermarket stock replacement parts, so PM me if interested.

 

Ditto on the above.

Make a gauge pod to fit 89+ 7s with mouse belts and you'd have more money.

 

I am unsure what you mean by "Mouse Belts"


The upper pod seems to be a popular choice. I will look into that. What size gauges are being used in your applications?

 

In 89 and up cars, they were equipped with an "automatic" shoulder harness that retracted forward along the A-Pillar towards the dash. Real mickey-mouse system. Send me a PM so we can talk Distribution. John

 

Just to get my vote in I am also interested in the dash gauge pod.

 

When you do this, and if you replace the idiot light cluster in the top of the dash, make sure that you prvise a place to RE MOUNT the light cluster in the car.
it needs to be there while the gauges are in place.

Also if you could start producing replacement instrument cluster surreounds for these cars, that would be good.

If you could make replacement stock peices for these cars out of stock looking material and be competitive, then you could satisfy the people that are hooked on carbon fiber and those that are not all at the same time.

The instrument clusters are about $130 each from Mazda.

Making new factory looking plastic replacements would get you lots of business.
also check out the idea of making replacement steering wheel neck surrounds.

remember...

stock replacement parts sell just as good as their "styled" counterparts.

tap into both markets.

The base engineering work has to have already been done to get the styled parts anyway.

 

i really like the idea of a gauge pod for the stereo area if it only take sup half the space (a single DIN design)

 

what about putting the gauge pod where the cliamte controls are, or is that where you are planning?

 

I am curious about a certain aspect of the top mounted gauge cluster. It looks as if the warning light harness comes from the climate control box. Is it possible with a mostly stock vehicle to pull the climate control box out with the harness detached from the warning light cluster but still connected to the climate control? I am curious if you can relocate the warning lights somewhere within the center console without a new harness or completely removing the dash to get the harness out.

 

I'll take some photos this weekend of the dash layout of a car I am gutting and show the wire routes. John

 

That would be great. I also need a few people to test something as well.

Remove the plastic cover from the dash covering warning light cluster. Remove the screws that retain the warning light cluster. Pull the cluster out from the pocket that it sits in as far toward the rear of the vehicle as you can without putting tension on the wire harness. How much slack do you have in the harness? How far will the cluster move to the rear of the vehicle?

It would be great if we could get a number of responses on this to make sure we have a good number to work with that will work for all. Please state year as well with your response.

The gauge pod would be the easy part. We are working on a relocation for the warning lights at the same time.

 

actually the size is slightly bigger then 2 DINS.

its more like 2.5 DINs... i haven't measured it exactly... trying to use some plexiglass to fill it and mount some gagues in there... but its hard to cut plexiglass rigth

 

Here is the rough draft of the warning light area pod. There seems to be enough room for 3 gauges only. The gauge size on this and the previously posted center console pod will accommodate 2-5/8 as well as 2-1/8 gauges.

 

Side View

 

Excellant. Exactly how I would like it. Excellant work.

 

How long until you can ship me a prototype to test?