Carbon Fiber Trunk for a 2G

Kuhn · #1 10-30-2005, 01:21 PM

I really want to loose some weight higher on my 2G for better handling. CF hood is an obvious choice, and I noticed that VIS makes a CF trunk. Does anybody know whether the stock rear window can be used with that? ...Better yet, does anybody know of a source for a lexan rear window... One that's already formed correctly? While I'm at it, I might as well ask if anybody has heard of a CF roof. I doubt there's one out there since the sun roof option would reduce the market for this. I've read all the weight reduction threads and I know there are a couple places that could easily make that. Also, if anybody has attempted any of this, let me know... I'm still not sure whether it's worth it. Can't hurt though!

david-b · #2 10-30-2005, 01:33 PM

The stock window does work for it. Are the Lexan windows the plastic kind? I would suggest not getting those. Not street legal as far is I know. CF Roof seems pointless, and nonexsistant.

Kuhn · #3 10-30-2005, 02:13 PM

Yeah, the lexan is illegal. lol Plus, it cracks in the cold, and can get discolored by the elements... I've been researching that since I started the thread. As far as the roof, it'd only save a couple pounds, but that weight is high up... And that weight would have the most leverage when concidering body roll. ...Besides, I'm really not into the appearance as much as the performance, but I think a CF hood and trunk would just look out of place on its own... 2 black areas that are completely diconnected. But I don't want to be "that guy" talking about new rims and whale tail spoilers... So no more mention of the looks.

Thanks for the input!

ted_ex · #4 10-30-2005, 02:20 PM

The Evo MR has an aluminum roof and it is the equivilant of lowering the car more than an inch. If you could find a way to do a carbon fiber roof it would be a huge improvement in handling. Most of the weight savings you would see from the CF hatch would be with a lexan window. I know of places that do custom lexan but it's expensive. Also, the new M5 has a carbon fiber roof. I'd be interested to see how they did it.

Kuhn · #5 10-30-2005, 03:01 PM

I was actually just reading about the M5... It's roof is 6 sheets of CF thick and it's all made in Germany. I'm sure something like that would help with atuoX. Unfortunately, I think the lexan rear window would put me in a different class... Plus, it's just not practical/legal for a daily driver. But that would cut so much weight... Oh well. Does anybody know of a good company that could make a CF roof for me? I was looking at some of the sites I thought did this, and they seemed to have switch their focus to metal fabing...

clipsekid99 · #6 10-30-2005, 04:29 PM

If you don't like the look of the carbon fiber, you can always paint it lol.

Kuhn · #7 10-31-2005, 10:45 AM

I thought about that, too, but I don't do paint work mself. I always enf up with dust in the paint no matter what I do. And to paint it would cost about $800 at the shop I go to for all of that. (It sux, but it looks good as hell.) I'm hoping a CF roof wouldn't be much more than that... but it may involve a bit of engineering. Well, I have AutoCAD and shit to do after I graduate (in Dec.) I wonder if that would void any warranties though.

Kuhn · #8 10-31-2005, 11:36 AM

Well, I spoke with somebody from Street Smart Designs. They said that a CF roof would just ruin the structural integrity of the car. ...I said that I realize it would have to be alot stronger than a hood or trunk, but they make planes out of this shit, so there has to be a way. Basically it comes down to this: A CF roof has to be formed using a special process that requires a mold, which equals $$$. Or the frame needs to be reinforced... Which adds a lot more weight. A roll cage would work, too, but that defeats the whole purpose by adding weight higher... Unless I'll need the cage anyways. But, Street Smart Designs have done it before... Anybody have an idea how much the roofs on the 2G actualy weigh? Thanks

Kuhn · #9 10-31-2005, 11:49 AM

Called the dealership.. The roof is approx. 50lbs. A CF roof might be 15. How much does a roll cage weigh? lol jk ...Well, the process used for the BMWs is called Vacuum Forming. An aftermarket CF roof panel for the M3 costs $1200... So a prototype for a 2G eclipse using Vacuum Forming is going to be insane. ...It might make more sense to buy a BMW.

sourcelx · #10 10-31-2005, 05:12 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REAL-...09889687QQrdZ1

1stGenRocks · #11 10-31-2005, 05:49 PM

do you have a sunroof? is it power? i know they make cf targa panels and sunroofs for some cars thats probably gonna be a lot easier for you then doing a whole roof lol. if you have a sunroof you could always try to take out the tracks and make aluminum brackets or something to just bolts it shut.

not sure about eclipse but some cars the headliner is pretty heavy too. like 10-15 pounds. not bad for free.

Kuhn · #12 11-01-2005, 12:50 PM

Yeah, I've been taking the headliner and dome light out everytime I autoX... It's a couple lbs. A CF roof would save 30lbs. or so! Combine that with a CF hood and trunk... Golden! Anyways, the CF targa tops work because the structural integrity of the car is not reliant upon that piece. There needs to be frame supports someplace to have a targa top. I don't have a sunroof btw. ...I'm still researching.

ted_ex · #13 11-01-2005, 01:19 PM

This is something that you could make yourself. Carbon fiber is similar to fiberglass to work with. And the roof being relatively flat, it would be a fairly easy mold to make. You could just use the original roof to make the mold and then use something like aluminum for reinforcement. It wouldn't have to be vacuum formed because there's no intricate curves. You just need a way to attach the roof securely to the car and also make sure it's weatherproof. For more information on using carbon fiber (and other composites) check out "Competition Car Composites" by Simon McBeath. It's aimed at people doing small run jobs at home.

Kuhn · #14 11-01-2005, 02:45 PM

Very helpful! Thank you. I do think that there'd have to be an aluminum infrastructure for sure. This is going to take forever to get right.

96spyderman · #15 11-01-2005, 06:57 PM

Just to clear things up about the lexan.... It shouldn't crack in the cold unless it is hit VERY hard and is VERY cold...
It is unlawfull because it doesn't break into a million little peices like glass does and the last thing you want is a shard of polycarbonate going through you like a hot knife through butter....
As for it discoloring... it depends on what type you get, Lexan/Polycarbonate (lexan is a product name) Is used in caterpillar heavy machinery, My last job made the windows for for them.... They have a UV and anti scratch coating on them to stop the the discolorization and scratching... the information someone said they read about isn't all true... trust me- I have worked in the plastics industry for over 10 years....

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