What if I made a carbon fiber valve cover?

[yoshimitsuspeed]

I have wanted to make a carbon fiber valve cover for a while but I was talking to a mechanic and he said the baffles in it are specifically designed and if not done right it could effect proper lubercation, or something like that. Looking at my valve cover the biggest thing I could see the baffle doing is keeping oil from going into the two outlets on top. This would be pretty easy to accomplish. there are a couple flanges that look like they come down on either side of the cam lobe, but there are only four of these. I would think if they were vital they would be over every one. Other than replicating the baffle exactly, creating the rest of the cover would be pretty easy. Does any body know how important this is?
Also would different shapes effect lubercation? I am thinking something looking something like a spine, following the conture of the cams and rockers. another option would be to reverse the shape so that on the inside the cover could slope down in a cone shape right over the lobes causing splashed oil to be focused back over moving parts. Does anybody think this would make a difference? Any comments suggestions or ideas would be appreaciated, also with shapes or styles you think would look good under your hood.

[coolguycooz]

Nice a carbon fiber valve cover. What is that like a 1 pound weight loss sweet. That plus a carbon fiber cup holder that would make like 1 in a half pounds.

[bclipse]

how about carbon fiber rods and pistons with a carbon fiber headand crank. oh cant forget the carbon fiber vavles and lifter lol

[imtheoneandonlyD]

im a step ahead i got the carbon fiber exhaust. plus the sticker that came with it

[Raz_Kaz]

I think it's useless. There is no point in having CF accessories

[imtheoneandonlyD]

yeah i agree. in some cases the hoods look alright. I would definatly prefer cf tail lights over the chrome crap any day of the week

[LandoAWD]

The strength of PROPERLY WOVEN carbon fiber is great, but this would be fairly useless.

Do you have any experience molding CF? The equipment to do it? A solid grasp of why the VC is shaped as it is?

If this is something you have a hard-on for, maybe consider getting someone who molds CF to put a couple of layers over top of your existing VC.

[coolguycooz]

What about the carbon fiber cup holder will it be able to handle all those sticky soda stains you get when you take a refill to go and some is dripping down your cup but its only a little and then it adds up in the end and you have soda stains will it be able to handle it? for long periods of time?

[yoshimitsuspeed]

Ouch seems like some people are a lillte touchy about the carbon fiber.
The only reason there arent carbon fiber engine internal components, other than cost, is that carbon fiber expands and contracts at different ratios than metals, your tolorenceces would be way too far off till you got it up to operating temp. I don't imagine it would make a good piston, but could you imagine what life would be like if you had CF rods, crank,cams, head, ect talk about weight reduction on vital components.
I am experienced with fiberglass, carbon fiber is exactly the same, execpt that if you want the look, you have to be more careful how you lay the top layer. Although I wouldn't consider this a performance mod, I love carbon fiber as much for its strength to weight ratio as I do the cool little checkerboard it makes. Overlays such as dash or other interior or in this application I have little respect for, and I think is one of the most extreme rice moves you can make. You take one of the most advaned strongest lightest materials of our time and stick it on top of stuff that already serves it's purpose just as well if not better before hand, just adding weight (as little as it may be) to look cool. I figure if yer gonna do somethig ya might as well do it right. As for the temp that is no problem. I have fount a resin for graphite that will withstand heat up to 5,000 deg, and there are other choices in between, which is good because I found this other stuff when I decided I wanted to make a CF exhaust, the only downside is it is $500/quart and I don't see to many people who would want to drop $10,000 on an exhaust. I don't know exactly how hot the head gets but finding resins with a 500 deg opperating range is pretty easy.
I think it's pretty crazy how many carbon fiber accessories I have seen on this fourum, and yet not one person saying it would be cool. It must be like the backstreet boys, nobody will admit they like them but they still make a better living off sales than I do. Not to mention that not one person touched on the origional question.

[BoostedSpyder]

if i had it my way my car would look like the HKS EVO 8 that is practicaly 100% CF, that thing is bad as hell, and also bustin lap records all over the place!

i would already have a CF valve cover if they made one. i love the stuff. it reminds me of sic race cars. i saw a full CF IS 300 that made me almost nut my pants.

you guys are rookies if you think that CF has no value. CF is also great for heat issues too. what i would like is to have a CF intake, IC pipes, Valve Cover, and Intake Manifold. that would be hot. oh and a CF cupholder so that little kids could say things like ''what, did that cup holder save you like a quarter of a pound?''... but i do like the CF dash trim kit. either that or the Aluminum one... that just looks clean...

professionals use CF... realize that...

[metalhedskater]

doesnt the 360 modena or it might be murceilago (however you spell it) have a CF valve cover? maybe im just crazy and imagined that....i dont know! Forgive me if im wrong

[metalhedskater]

but i agree unless you like spending money worthless stuff, by all means go for it!

[bclipse]

if you really want to save that extra 2 pounds just go on a diet

[skateanddestroy]

who cares if the dude wants to add some nice touches to his car? it's his decision. he shouldn't get flamed for it. to each his own.

justin

[slowgsowner]

screw the already light valve cover, where are the carbon fiber hatches thats the heaviest p.o.s. on the car if I'm not mistaken and btw dude unless you got some major grip, a chemistry lab, mold, and an autoclave, vacuform, and a shit load of time I would scrap this whole argument. yes it would look cool, yes it would be lighter, no any thing you build with a home made carbon fiber repair kitaint gonna hold up to the high heat high humidity that is under the hood, no matter what kind of mystery glue (resin) you have in your garage. no offence but until you see it on the aftermarket, your way better off not messing with it. I myself have a carbon fiber hood (for weight saving purposes I assure you) and yes I have the ricey mach carbon fiber hod pin plates. if thats your style..... ..great. but like I said if you ain't got all that crap up above, then your pissin in the wind.