Carbon Fiber

General General Lotus Talk
1

As I have no idea about carbon fiber and all the different choices and manufacturing types I thought I would ask here (hoping for sensible answers)
What are the different manufacturing processes?
Weight I what I am trying to save so which is the best?
Does anyone on here make the stuff I need so it is cheaper?

I am only after non structural parts at the moment like front acess panels and side scoops, but might well work my way to rear spoiler, splitter, bootlid and roof later.
Please help I am bemused by pre preg carbon composite wet laid dry weave to name but a few…
Ta

2

Sorry I can’t help with the types, but as for the parts you mention getting first the weight saving really won’t justify the cost IMHO, at least not for access panels & side scoops. The roof and bootlid may save a few kilo’s, but you’d be better off on a strict diet, unless you’re already trim.

Interior c/f alternatives are mega bucks e.g. windscreen trim �3K :sick:

3

I understand to get rid of my own spare tyre, however I am lazy so therefore CF makes some level of sense :wink:

4

MMMM Carbon :smiley: :wink:

Elise-Shops CF chap also makes for Zonda with regard to access panels and a wider side scoop (might help cooling). Reverie is excellent tho pricey, but seems to be the first stop for most bespoke manufactures which a tells a story. As too BSK and having to import. Engine lid saves 6kg over OEM + fasteners and designed with charge cooler in mind… :whistle: My wing is a work of art mate, you’ll agree when you see it, 5kg total solid on the bodywork and chassis. Lastly , weave is mostly a standard pattern with a few alternatives.

5

you wont save much weight though unless you get carbon rear clams and the rest of the big stuff.

6

Going from memory autoclaved is the only one that gives any significant weight advantages on smaller items. Wet laid is pretty much the same as fibre glass, just in carbon. It needs to be much thicker than autoclaved which is vacuum formed (I think?). Therefore a lot more expensive.

7

So stay clear of wet laid (tick)
Autoclaved, is that what I have heard before as pre preg?

Jonny, i’m sure your wing is a work of art, but it is a bit expensive…
I hope for many small savings making quite a weight differece in the end

Reverie do appear the best but at generally twice (if not more) than others I was trying to work out if they are worth it?

8

The answer is in the question I guess.

9

i was looking at the top air scoop in carbon from reverie �350 just for the part which i thought was abit steep. any other ideas where?

10

Several people have come along and said, I can make those but appear to have never delivered in CF, I do suspect they might look a bit crap though as it will be an obvious after thought :frowning:

11

I’m looking for some carbon bits too, from scouring the 'net it seems theres a lot of US tuning firms that can get stuff cheaper than the usual suspects over here charge. TBH I’m hoping the exchange rate might soon start to revert back to near what it was. Buying stuff from the states was lovely when it was close to �1 for $2 (!)

12

Apart from the bling factor I think you need to start spending a hell of a lot before you see any significant weight savings on a car. Replacing the odd small bit here and there might save a kilo or two if you are lucky and probably cost a small fortune. Full autoclaved clams are the only way to go :smiley:

Much better off just putting a couple of litres less fuel in if weight saving is the objective IMHO

13

I’ve got a variety of carbon parts on my car. Access panels and side scoops are purely cosmetic weight saving was about 1kg total.

Only carbon parts I have that saved much weight are the seats, and that was probably put back with the harness bar and harnesses.


Some options

Forged wheels which you already have
Exhaust which you already have
Fuel tank which you already have
Manifold?
Battery?
Seats?
Remove air con
Remove rear panel
Remove all boot lining
Remove all carpets
Remove passenger foot rest
Remove radio and speakers
Replace oil coolers with laminova and triple pass rad
Remove hinged engine cover and fit single skin alternative in GRP or Carbon
Remove door cards
Remove alarm and central locking
Replace mesh with aluminium
remove driving lights
Aluminium suspension uprights
lightweight rear calipers

14

Not sure if it saves a lot of weight but it looks v :sunglasses:!

[image]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4326222138_8c71d0a417_m.jpg[/image]

[image]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4325485411_17c73b96ee_s.jpg[/image]

15

Answers below, some good stuff to look into there so thanks :smiley:

Forged wheels which you already have Tick
Exhaust which you already have Tick
Fuel tank which you already have Tick
Manifold? Tick
Battery? Tick
Seats? Not yet
Remove air con You must be kidding :wink:
Remove rear panel Tick Got a 211 one
Remove all boot lining Tick
Remove all carpets To be done
Remove passenger foot rest I need a bigger one so Jacqui can passenger…
Remove radio and speakers I need entertainment for driving to Spa
Replace oil coolers with laminova and triple pass rad Can’t do that due to the CC and I have a tripe pass already
Remove hinged engine cover and fit single skin alternative in GRP or Carbon Maybe
Remove door cards Maybe
Remove alarm and central locking Insurance might be a problem :frowning:
Replace mesh with aluminium Where from never seen that?
remove driving lights God idea next time the front clam is off
Aluminium suspension uprights Really not sure they do them for the S2
lightweight rear calipers Are there any that work?