Foo - Red Meat for Carbonites: Must-have mod for your car....

For those of you looking for new ways to add carbon to your life, consider swapping the boring old side-views on your vehicle for a set of these:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/images/header.jpg

Don't know what car that is, but that looks like a jet engine intake back there....

Nah, totally out of place on my '67 MGB

- she needs chrome bullet mirrors to look beautiful, but then again she is vintage English steel :)

When I was looking at the Mini's they have a carbon fiber mirror option. Seems pointless to me.

i think thats a 360 modena.
the carbon mini option is probly for people looking to take their mini to a track(which it is agile enough to do) any weight taken off a car is a good thing.

weird

For those of you looking for new ways to add carbon to your life, consider swapping the boring old side-views on your vehicle for a set of these:..

Why stop at the side mirrors?

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/th_12FebAutoMesse2005068.jpg (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/12FebAutoMesse2005068.jpg)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/th_12FebAutoMesse2005067.jpg (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/12FebAutoMesse2005067.jpg)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/th_12FebAutoMesse2005066.jpg (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/12FebAutoMesse2005066.jpg)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/th_12FebAutoMesse2005065.jpg (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/12FebAutoMesse2005065.jpg)

is that a complete carbon fiber body? I bet that aint cheap...

is that a complete carbon fiber body? I bet that aint cheap...
Yeh it was. It was at the 2005 Osaka Auto Messe. I've got my ticket and will be at the 2006 Messe on Sunday. Can't wait!
Steve.

Pretty sure that is a new Ferrari F430....sooo hot!

Haha...I've seen some crappy ricers around here with the hubcaps that are designed to look like alloys with disc brakes (fake rear discs :roflmao: ) and the hood spray painted black to look like carbon fiber from a distance.

Hmmm... children! :lol:

Don't know what car that is, but that looks like a jet engine intake back there....You want turbines? I'll give you turbines!

http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/RichSandor-Turbine1.jpghttp://www.gururacing.com/artwork/RichSandor-Turbine2.jpg

what the heck is that.

That would be a jet powered Porsche 944.

About those mirrors. By themselves, I bet they are worth more than my Crown Victoria.

And the F430 they're nailed to is worth more than my house. Just...
More pics of the Jet-engined 944?

And the F430 they're nailed to is worth more than my house. Just...
More pics of the Jet-engined 944?
Nice VW's, the look nice and clean...any other shots/specs?

You ain't the only car guy...thanks for your kind words!
The Golf's mine, it's a 1991 GTI in pearl grey mica. It's had all the obvious done, like laying the rear wiper flat, German numberplates, a grille spoiler, half smoke rear lights, lowered 60mm on Bilsteins with Eibach springs and Anti-roll bars, an electric Recaro interior, dashboard from a Corrado, ATS Cup alloys with 195/50 Toyo Proxes and that's all I can think of for now, but there's definitely more...
Plans this year include finally fitting my G60 wheelarches, widening the track by using Passat wishbones and driveshafts, 280mm front brakes and hopefully a 2litre 16v motor from a Mk3 Golf 16v...
Plenty more photos, I'll see if I can find some!

OK folks, where should I put the carbon for best effect?

Actually, these pics were taken a while ago - and she's looking much more presentable nowadays - completed paint job and all lights fitted. Still there is much to do including replacement of the wiring looms and installation of a new transmission. Should I go Campy or Shimano, or stick with an original English 3-speed (OK, 4 speed)? Not to mention that there is no interior upholstry, save for two very sorry looking seats... Still, she is a good runner, engine & brakes are sound and she is little more complicated than my bikes when it comes to maintenance.

Cheers,

Ed

How about leaving it stock-looking, but dropping in a K-series bolted to a type9 5-speed from a Sierra?

You ain't the only car guy...thanks for your kind words!
The Golf's mine, it's a 1991 GTI in pearl grey mica. It's had all the obvious done, like laying the rear wiper flat, German numberplates, a grille spoiler, half smoke rear lights, lowered 60mm on Bilsteins with Eibach springs and Anti-roll bars, an electric Recaro interior, dashboard from a Corrado, ATS Cup alloys with 195/50 Toyo Proxes and that's all I can think of for now, but there's definitely more...
Plans this year include finally fitting my G60 wheelarches, widening the track by using Passat wishbones and driveshafts, 280mm front brakes and hopefully a 2litre 16v motor from a Mk3 Golf 16v...
Plenty more photos, I'll see if I can find some!
Sounds great! You would like my friend's Corrado we are almost done playing with. SLC w/a fresh VR6 (2.8L of same year), T3/T4 (60-trim I think) and he custom fabbed a air/water IC. It is Black Cherry and 99% stock outside, save for minor drop, tasteful BBS wheels, the pipes pokin' out the back and some shaved stuff...beautiful!

How about leaving it stock-looking, but dropping in a K-series bolted to a type9 5-speed from a Sierra?

Aha, there are civilised people on this board :beer:

The conversion you mention is a popular route, but I'd prefer to keep her to original spec, including early type gearbox with non synchromesh 1st gear for that "classic & vintage" carbon fiber free feel.

The original engine is fine, 1st on the original gearbox is totally knackered, but e-bay turned up a good condition replacement for $150. Also, finding the K series & Sierra parts in the US is probably harder than sourcing MG original/replacements. The MGB is really well catered for over there, since a huge number of those built were exported to the US and they are still a really popular classic.

Ed

There are all manner of body kits for Acura NSXs and Honda S2000s from Japan, you can bolt-on a complete carbon fiber bumper kit to your car. Ever piece of the body is replaced. Easy way to get your car stolen

these cars today are so weak. There is this nissan that looks like it hit a pole but instead of crumpling it just ripped the bumper

OK folks, where should I put the carbon for best effect?

Actually, these pics were taken a while ago - and she's looking much more presentable nowadays - completed paint job and all lights fitted. Still there is much to do including replacement of the wiring looms and installation of a new transmission. Should I go Campy or Shimano, or stick with an original English 3-speed (OK, 4 speed)? Not to mention that there is no interior upholstry, save for two very sorry looking seats... Still, she is a good runner, engine & brakes are sound and she is little more complicated than my bikes when it comes to maintenance.

Cheers,

Ed


On the engine (CF valve cover, etc.)....leave it looking stock on the outside, but put a bear of an engine inside :)

Maybe not for your car but would look great in the dunny...
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f266/orbeamitis2/2006%20Osaka%20Auto%20Messe/The%20Messe%20Cars/12febautomesse013.jpg
or how about this for carbon fibre:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f266/orbeamitis2/2006%20Osaka%20Auto%20Messe/The%20Messe%20Cars/12febautomesse037.jpg

Yeah carbon fibre is fairly common on cars now.. From memory the enzo is virtually all carbon. Not very nice in a crash in fact i really dont want to post the pics of a crashed enzo, some are slightly disturbing :(

But if you like jet cars check this van out, has a lear jet engine in the back ;)

Speaking of enzos. That is an enzo in the pic if I had to guess. They are DAMN nice cars.

Yeah carbon fibre is fairly common on cars now.. From memory the enzo is virtually all carbon. Not very nice in a crash in fact i really dont want to post the pics of a crashed enzo, some are slightly disturbing :(

Actually Carbon is pretty good in crashes, it sure as hell smashes to pieces, but thats a good thing, it dissipates all the energy from the crash. Bad for the carbon, good for the driver.

And i wouldnt post those pics if i were you, i posted a video of people butchering a maybach with a crowbar and i got flamed for posting a "pointless" thread.

Yeah, especially considering the numbers of 200mph crashes that F1/Indy drivers walk away from; it's simply amazing the engineering that goes into their construction. It really pisses me off to see draped-over bodies on the side of the freeway in 60mph crashes... we have the technology to prevent this... :(

we have the technology to prevent this... :(
We certainly do, it just costs an arm and a leg.

Plus, people are still too stupid to wear their seatbelts, so no amount of carbon or would help.

Aha, there are civilised people on this board :beer:
Also, finding the K series & Sierra parts in the US is probably harder than sourcing MG original/replacements.

Ha ha cheers!
Got the impression you were in the UK, what with your location saying Oxford...
The old-school route sounds ace too - just shove some big SUs on the side of it! :D

Ha ha cheers!
Got the impression you were in the UK, what with your location saying Oxford...
The old-school route sounds ace too - just shove some big SUs on the side of it! :D

Ah, well there's the thing. I am in the UK, (Oxford) most of the time, but my better half is from the US, so we get to spend quite a bit of time there too. She found the car as a birthday present/project a while ago, and I've been having fun restoring whenever there is a chance. The good thing is that available time for restoration is limited, which limits the amount of expenditure - until I started finding spares on UK e-bay. On my last trip over to LA, my suitcase looked like a moonlight raid on a scrap dealer's.

Big SUs you say? What, when Moss motors do an alloy crossflow head + supercharger conversion :)

No, it'l have to be old school on the current budget...

Cheers

Ed

Ahhhh...mystery solved!
I really want to move sometime soon, but I'll miss our local scrappies - never paid more than a fiver for anything...
Mmmmm...big roots-type blower...yum...
Although have you picked up a copy of Retro Cars over here? One of their writers is putting a T16 Rover Vitesse engine in his BGT - looks like fun!

Actually Carbon is pretty good in crashes, it sure as hell smashes to pieces, but thats a good thing, it dissipates all the energy from the crash. Bad for the carbon, good for the driver.

And i wouldnt post those pics if i were you, i posted a video of people butchering a maybach with a crowbar and i got flamed for posting a "pointless" thread.

Nah i had no intention of posting them, lets just say that some ferraris have a few design flaws that cause them to split in half in the cabin leaving the driver completly exposed... But i do know the advantages/disadvantages of cf. I spend quite a bit of time on car forums

some ferraris have a few design flaws that cause them to split in half in the cabin leaving the driver completly exposed...

pffftttt.. i guess that could be a bad thing.. kinda.. if you're a wuss... :rolleyes:

My car would pwn any of those other stupid cars.

Forget the carbon fibre. Get some red LED's on the front of your car and some red speedos to cover your manliness, then you'll look the biz, just like me.

lets just say that some ferraris have a few design flaws that cause them to split in half in the cabin leaving the driver completly exposed... Well, given enough speed and impact-configuration with immovable objects, you can split any car in half:

... in steel... (bodies just outside frame)
http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/Audi2.jpg

... or carbon-fibre
http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/WreckedFerrariF1.jpg

They said that the Audi was going about 100mph, I take turn-6 at Laguna around 68-72mph, I bet a Ferrari-F1 car would be going 120-125mph there. The driver walked away.

Unless you are the NTSB or IIHS with comprehensive crash-data on ALL wrecks of a particular model, you really don't have enough data to come to the conclusion that it's a design flaw. There are other factors such as driver-skill, speed, impact-angles, loading, tyre-grip, environmental factors, phase-of-the-moon, etc. that affects the outcome of a crash. The driver is probably one of the most important variables because if he had left the car in the garage that day, the wreck never would've happened at all.

Cars have to be designed to meet numerous parameters of economy, performance, and crash-worthiness. That's outlined by the DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations, specifically part 571 for impacts (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FMVSS). The main issue is that you cannot maintain safe deceleration-Gs across ALL speeds and impact conditions. The standards only specify up to a 25mph impact. If you design for high-speed impacts, you sacrifice safety at low-speeds and vice-versa. Such is the debate between Snell vs. DOT standards for motorcycle helmets.

One of the biggest innovations in SUVs in the past 10-years has been to make them softer to cushion the occupants from rapid decelerations in crashes. This has improved the survival-rate in impacts tremendously, especially for smaller cars that get into a wreck with an SUV. However, even if you don't hit another vehicle and your car stays intact, that's no guarantee of safety: Yikes.jpg (http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/Yikes.jpg) <-- WARNING: DO NOT click if you do not wish to see destruction, fire and death.

Well, given enough speed and impact-configuration with immovable objects, you can split any car in half:
... in steel... (bodies just outside frame)

RIP Audi :cry: :cry: :cry:

I got a powerpoint slideshow of that crash at work. I wonder if anyone survived it.

I don't think so, I counted three separate bodies in the other photos. Notice that the trees have minimal damage. Actually due to the orientation of the fibres, a lot of woods have extremely high strength like CF. Just not the strength-to-weight ratio of CF. Impact & toughness is better than CF too. That's where kevlar weaves comes in to reinforce CF ... :)

Boston Herald - Two perish in crash on treacherous Revere road (http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=84083)
http://news.bostonherald.com/images//crash05212005.jpg (http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=84083)
Alan Quealy, of Quealy's towing, piles up the pieces of the Honda that split in half, killing two.
(Staff photo by Mike Adaskaveg)

Teen driver pleads guilty in crash that killed three classmates (http://www.wstm.com/global/story.asp?s=2952764&ClientType=Print)
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CarAccidents.com - photos (http://www.car-accidents.com/pages/car_accident_photo.html)
Ogrish.com - Accident archives (http://www.ogrish.com/archives/accident) <-- warning, graphic images

Notice that the trees have minimal damage.
cars dont stand a chance against a tree.
Looking at all the trees that were lining the road in the other pictures, it wouldve been a miracle if it hadnt hit a tree.

Did you see the picture of the dash where the speedo was frozen?

cars dont stand a chance against a tree.
Looking at all the trees that were lining the road in the other pictures, it wouldve been a miracle if it hadnt hit a tree.Yeah huh... and it only took the bark off the tree, the core was fine:

http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/Audi17.jpg



Did you see the picture of the dash where the speedo was frozen?He was probably going faster than 90kph though. They estimated it was closer to 150-160kph. Due to going airborne and sideways before actually impacting the tree, the tyres wouldn't be spinning as fast as the actual linear-velocity of the car. The bent steering-wheel was probably caused by the driver's head... :(

http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/Audi15.jpg

That's an Enzo. I saw one about two blocks away from my house. I was biking with my son behind me, a yellow one comes down 17th ave. I phone home, in a panic"ohmygod, guesswhatIsaw!" Of course, my GF is like, "so?" women... :)

I'm pretty sure the original pic with CF mirror is a 360 or 430 Modena. The inlet is circular with a wide bevel, while the Enzo's inlet is rectangular with a flatter top and thin bevel. The Enzo's opening also reaches in all the way towards the body:

http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/Enzo5053s.jpg
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/images/header.jpg
http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/360modena5s.jpg
http://www.gururacing.com/artwork/360modena7s.jpg

by far those Modena's are my favorite Ferarri's... Sergio Garcia drives one too!

My bad