Carbon Fiber

[tamiya_man]

I have only used CF'decals a few times and only in the places that the kit called for it - both Tamiya kits and they came with the decals. I do like the look of it and it does make the model look more realistic. However, i am noticing a trend: CF'ing everything!!!!! Is this realistic?? I really don't know what most of the real 1:1 cars look like - have not seen them in real life, but can someone tell me what is an appropiate or realistic amount of CF and what is not? I guess i should give an example car, but i was thinking LM cars, ralleye cars, touring cars, etc. I mean, i have seen Enzo's CF'ed to death and in a way, it does not look so good. I know that a lot of high-end cars, racing or otherwise, have CF undercarriages and the such, but how much of the rest of the car is CF? Any comments? Suggestions? Ideas? Or am i just sounding silly? lol:P

[mickbench]

I've seen a lot of cars with CF on this forum. Mostly race cars, etc.. It does look good, but it can be a little overkill as you say.

I've only ever used it once, and that was on a WRC rally car for the seat backs. They were CF decals included with the kit. I tell you what I'm not so keen on, CF hoods /Bonnets. Looks OK ish on certain skylines, but I've seen some S2000 CF hoods, and it's not growing on me that much..

[tamiya_man]

Originally Posted by mickbench

I've seen a lot of cars with CF on this forum. Mostly race cars, etc.. It does look good, but it can be a little overkill as you say.

I've only ever used it once, and that was on a WRC rally car for the seat backs. They were CF decals included with the kit. I tell you what I'm not so keen on, CF hoods /Bonnets. Looks OK ish on certain skylines, but I've seen some S2000 CF hoods, and it's not growing on me that much..

I hear you dude Yep, I did a Lancer EVO that had the CF seatbacks. Now, it's the Enzo. Overkill is a good word to describe this trend..... and no, it is not growing on me either, especially the hood thing.

[mike@af]

There are some cars that are about 90% CF.

[tamiya_man]

Yes, i do realize that - the 90% thing. But it seems that some people CF certain cars to death and they are cars that don't even have that much CF in reality. But you know what... more power to the person who wants to spend hours of work on putting so much CF on a model

[mike@af]

CF is also a popular paint scheme in the tuner world. I've been to car shows where there are tuners completely CF'ed.

[freakmech]

Cf is a highly used light-weight composite that has benefits for racing. its also a very trendy tuner trick. it can be overdone and sometimes is. but for instance on my Gallardo ive added CF where it would not be on the stock car but it is on a tuned Gallardo that does exist. it comes down to either research or just using artistic expression. some time artist like to imbellish.

[bvia]

Originally Posted by tamiya_man

I guess i should give an example car, but i was thinking LM cars, ralleye cars, touring cars, etc. I mean, i have seen Enzo's CF'ed to death and in a way, it does not look so good. I know that a lot of high-end cars, racing or otherwise, have CF undercarriages and the such, but how much of the rest of the car is CF? Any comments? Suggestions? Ideas? Or am i just sounding silly? lol:P

LM cars from 95 and on (and possibly earlier depending on which make/model), basically the ENTIRE body shell, interior and chassis plate are a blend of CF/Kelvar and Duroplast.

Rally cars..not sure

Touring cars...depends on the sanctioning body. I'd say the GTTC cars are almost entirely made from the same blends as the LM cars.

IIRC, the Enzo's body is entirely CF also (since 1 was sold in bare CF)...the chassis plate is also CF as is most of the interior and driver monocoque (I've got a pic of that).

hth,
Bill

[g00eY]

i think CF is cool, i just don't like certain CF things on certain cars, but overall i think it's pretty cool stuff.

[Spitfire7]

C/F has been around since the early 1980s in motorsport, starting in F1 and eventually being used in other motorsports. Modern LM cars use it extensively, as do DTM cars, where almost everything is carbon to save weight, so this may go for other touring car classes aswell. Rally cars also make use of carbon materials, but not quite to the extent of say, an F1 car.

When dealing with street cars, carbon is often used in the tuning world, and on supercars such as an Enzo is used extensively.

[mike@af]

Oh...and God forbid you put in on a new Dodge Viper. <sarcsm><inside joke></sarcasm>

[bhop73]

The C-West S2000 is a good example of extreme use of carbon fiber. The hood, doors, fenders, wing.. and i'm sure more of the car have all been replaced by carbon parts.

http://www.c-west.co.jp/labs/fudo_s2000.html

Also, HKS has an Evo which is entirely Carbon.. (I think)

http://www.hksusa.com/info/?id=2145

[CADguy]

Originally Posted by GTmike400

Oh...and God forbid you put in on a new Dodge Viper. <sarcsm><inside joke></sarcasm>

Oh the horror. Who would do something like that..