I've found countless posts about where to find fiberglass fenders and other such body panels, how much they cost, how well they fit, and how much weight they save, but no discussion about the safety of using them. Has anyone here crashed their FC with FG fenders? I'd like to get a pair, but for what may be my daily driver until further notice, I don't want to be at serious risk of death by not having metal fenders. I mean, to me it seems like the only difference would be that in a front end collision they wouldn't crumple thereby not absorbing all of the impact that metal fenders would. I have no idea how much of a hindrance they might be in a side-impact, either. I'm sorry to sound like the NHTSA or whatever, but I do fear for my life when driving on the street... too many trucks/SUV's and too many careless drivers!

 

Hey buddy, i'm dont think that it would make much of a different, the fenders dont really do anything when you get into an accident... Its the frame that protects you... Alot of super cars bodies are made out of all fibreglass, so no i dont think it would make much of a difference if you got into an accident with FG fenders.

 

the fenders are NOT part of the crash structure, dont worry about it.
trust me the stock metal fenders are skimpy enough to do NOTHING in an accident.

 

Was going to say that myself.

 

And there would be minimal weight savings. The stockers are pretty light.

 

As for mods a large (read: tall) front mount intercooler that requires the removal or modification of the internal bumper will be far more dangerous than fiberglass fenders or even fiberglass bumper covers.

About the only composite body part I'd never use on a street car is doors. They're fine on a race car with a roll cage that has side impact protection, but not on a street car, other than that I can't think of any body parts that are dangerous.

 

There was a guy that crashed an enzo at 150+ into a pole and walked away from it...

The beauty of composites.

--Alex

 

whatever...



a)he is an idiot
b)he is one lucky mother ******

the fiber may have helped but i wouldn't hang my life on it saving me

 

c)he had another enzo to drive after that was gone.
The fenders do not contribute to the integrity of the crash structure. however there is a higher (though not much) chance of a piece breaking off and becoming a projectile after a crash.

 

Oh, yes, definitely....I'm just saying that composite structures aren't necessarily unsafe in a crash.

What about the XJR220? After multiple crashes on the same chassis the all of the hinges surfaces still worked...

 

BS, a well engineered car is why enzo drivers are walking away from near 200mph crashes.

 

basically the frame surrounding the driver is what determines whether the car will survive an impact, even those exotics have a rigid fram surrounding the driver in case of an accident, a good example would be a formula 1 car: ever seen one of those wreck at 150+? all that's left is the cockpit and hopefully the driver's head is still attached to his body.

 

Why do you think we are using composites on almost 80% of naval aircraft? Ones that have to routienly land on carriers. Helicopters that can lift 70,000 lbs of cargo. Floor boards to prevent bullets from entering the cabin.

Composites are great my friend and DO have better malleable characteristics than metal.

-Justin

 

Composites are great but the way we use them for fenders isn't going to do anything for crash protection. And it won't save much weight even if you do all four corners of an FC, maybe 4 or 5 pounds at most. And most of that will come from the area by the fuel door.

 

they are lightweight #1 reason

i still choose good old steel to protect me though

 

1. Hood (FRP or carbon).

2. Hatch (lexan).

3. Doors (FRP or carbon, race cars only)

4. Windshield (Lexan with metal braces. Once again, race cars only)

If you need to get any lighter than that, you'd better have some cash to burn.

 

who makes fenders