GT Engine Covers - Dipped in Carbon

[Ashventini]

Agree with all you say. Fancy fibreglass then .

very very fancy fibreglass.

 

[Gazcw]

very very fancy fibreglass.

No that's carbon kevlar with a lovely hint of yellow weave.

 

[Zep]

I'm partially started on making CF replicas of the original plastic covers. It's something I have all the kit for (for vacuum infusion) but not managed as of late. I have created the GRP mold, just need to crack on. I was going to to do this for myself, but once I have the molds done and refined, I wondered who else would be interested and what the willingness to pay number would be. It would be gloss, as per other carbon parts on these cars.

Very interested. From my own point of view, I want to keep my standard covers so was pondering wet lay up for them (if I ever get the time), but vacuum infused would give a much more predictable result. I also think £1500+ is nuts, but would be up for <£1k

 

[ChrissGT]

I'm partially started on making CF replicas of the original plastic covers. It's something I have all the kit for (for vacuum infusion) but not managed as of late. I have created the GRP mold, just need to crack on. I was going to to do this for myself, but once I have the molds done and refined, I wondered who else would be interested and what the willingness to pay number would be. It would be gloss, as per other carbon parts on these cars.

With all other replies. I think there is probably quite a market for this. US friends are very much into (carbon) mods. I think you could get much more profit/margin with a lower price and more sales.

 

[enjybenjy]

With all other replies. I think there is probably quite a market for this. US friends are very much into (carbon) mods. I think you could get much more profit/margin with a lower price and more sales.

Exactly. Let me have a go at making one, without fcuking it up, first

 

[JimT]

Hi. Thought id share the progress on a new mod im having done. Front and rear covers prepped and painted for adhesive bonding before being dipped.

Be really interested to seeing the results.
Thankyou for sharing!
Look forward to any updates

 

[Ashventini]

Be really interested to seeing the results.
Thankyou for sharing!
Look forward to any updates

Should be soon. The covers were dipped yesterday. The front was done in one sheet which surprised me as its a huge panel to dip, but anyway im told it looks really good. No pics yet but the job is nearly complete as they are in lacquer (few coats required). Im just as keen to see the result as you guys are. wont be too long.

 

[Ashventini]

Should be soon. The covers were dipped yesterday. The front was done in one sheet which surprised me as its a huge panel to dip, but anyway im told it looks really good. No pics yet but the job is nearly complete as they are in lacquer (few coats required). Im just as keen to see the result as you guys are. wont be too long.

Will collect covers on Tuesday after they have been through polishing.

 

[BennyD]

Do all you wannabes wear fake Levis and Rolexs as well? Just asking for a friend.

 

[Ashventini]

Do all you wannabes wear fake Levis and Rolexs as well? Just asking for a friend.

You must be emotionally challenged to post this.. and possibly your friend too if you have one.

 

[BennyD]

I have one or two, but that isn't the point. Fake carbon fibre is just that. Either stump up for carbon fibre or leave it black plastic. Anything else is just trying to decieve simpletons to think you are richer than you actually are. Your call.

 

[Ashventini]

I have one or two, but that isn't the point. Fake carbon fibre is just that. Either stump up for carbon fibre or leave it black plastic. Anything else is just trying to decieve simpletons to think you are richer than you actually are. Your call.

It about personalisation. Real carbon isnt easily available for these covers - and what is out there is not OEM fit. Nothing to do with deception, its a sensible balance between matching the real carbon I already have, personalisation and at reasonable cost for a part that isn't usually visible. Do You think Im driving around with the bonnet off.. Lol. I don't need to flaunt wealth. I drive a Rosso Magma Facelift MC - i think thats enough richness for most people to swallow.. Having a GT is not about that anyway. Oh well, never mind you dont get it. That's ok. We cant all see things others can. Bit surprised from such a seasoned member of this site. Cheers anyway.

 

[Chrisb2015]

I am looking forward to seeing them, please post a couple of pictures once you get a chance. Whilst we know it isn’t real carbon, I don’t think it matters. I think it’s best to think of it as a painted finish. I doubt anyone would have anything negative to say if you said you where painting them, so I don’t see why this is any different. It’s personalisation and in all likelihood will look great.

 

[Ashventini]

I am looking forward to seeing them, please post a couple of pictures once you get a chance. Whilst we know it isn’t real carbon, I don’t think it matters. I think it’s best to think of it as a painted finish. I doubt anyone would have anything negative to say if you said you where painting them, so I don’t see why this is any different. It’s personalisation and in all likelihood will look great.

Will do. next few days. I will have to photo them off the engine to start with as i wont be fitting them back for a few weeks due to curing / hardening.
Thanks for the sensible comments.
I think its also worth pointing out to those who don't get it..... there are a few logical reasons to go down this route.
Carbon Fibre is predominantly used for 2 reasons. A) Performance gains due to weight reduction and strength. B) Cosmetic appearance.
The GT (and most other sports cars) has Carbon options for cosmetic reasons (Int and Ext). These are in areas which can be seen inside and out all the time.
The Stradale has Carbon as standard in 2 areas. A) The Bonnet. B) the Brake disks. Why? for weight reduction over the standard metallic parts which are much heavier. The bonnet isnt a shiny polished finish as its not visible, it serves a performance function.

The GT engine covers are plastic and are light weight anyway. Carbon wouldn't be much different in weight. So there is no performance gain. There is also no obvious cosmetic benefit as they are under the bonnet. So the improvement of using actual Carbon Fibre and the very high cost seems un-logical to me. It's neither performance or obvious cosmetics benefit. The modification sits somewhere else - personalisation... Subtle improvement on the odd occasion when the bonnet is lifted. So shelling out £3K for 3 covers which are not OEM vs paying £400 to enhance the engine bay is a no-brainer to me. Its the logical way to go.. I will save my £2600 for the other mods such as Sports Cats and X-pipe im doing..

 

[Gazcw]

Will do. next few days. I will have to photo them off the engine to start with as i wont be fitting them back for a few weeks due to curing / hardening.
Thanks for the sensible comments.
I think its also worth pointing out to those who don't get it..... there are a few logical reasons to go down this route.
Carbon Fibre is predominantly used for 2 reasons. A) Performance gains due to weight reduction and strength. B) Cosmetic appearance.
The GT (and most other sports cars) has Carbon options for cosmetic reasons (Int and Ext). These are in areas which can be seen inside and out all the time.
The Stradale has Carbon as standard in 2 areas. A) The Bonnet. B) the Brake disks. Why? for weight reduction over the standard metallic parts which are much heavier. The bonnet isnt a shiny polished finish as its not visible, it serves a performance function.

The GT engine covers are plastic and are light weight anyway. Carbon wouldn't be much different in weight. So there is no performance gain. There is also no obvious cosmetic benefit as they are under the bonnet. So the improvement of using actual Carbon Fibre and the very high cost seems un-logical to me. It's neither performance or obvious cosmetics benefit. The modification sits somewhere else - personalisation... Subtle improvement on the odd occasion when the bonnet is lifted. So shelling out £3K for 3 covers which are not OEM vs paying £400 to enhance the engine bay is a no-brainer to me. Its the logical way to go.. I will save my £2600 for the other mods such as Sports Cats and X-pipe im doing..

I have just ordered a whole set of stickers for the engine bay so holding off till I see results.

 

[Ashventini]

I have just ordered a whole set of stickers for the engine bay so holding off till I see results.

Just out of interest. where from and how much were the stickers? I doubt i would want to place them onto the new coating, but have toyed with it and wondered how much - in case i do decide to... thanks

 

[Gazcw]

Just out of interest. where from and how much were the stickers? I doubt i would want to place them onto the new coating, but have toyed with it and wondered how much - in case i do decide to... thanks

Ross in parts at Meridian Modena. We get 10% discount. You will be surprised at the price. I bought all new door jam ones too as had paint done so cannot tell you how much just the under bonnet ones were.

 

[Ashventini]

So here we are guys. Few pictures of them in the shop and back at home. Different lighting.... I would firstly say that the linear flow of the weaves isn't perfect in all areas, but i expected some deviation. I was actually worried that the weave pattern would be all over the shop because of the size of the panel and the complexity of the shapes, angles and openings. Gregg said it was a really difficult job, biggest engine panel he's ever done. In all honesty, i think they have turned our really well. As I said not perfect, but more than good enough for me and I can be a bit picky TBH. They look really good in the flesh. 1000% better than OEM dull plastic. They are super dark black, but do give off that graphite in certain angles. I haven't drilled and fitted the badge yet, simply placed it on to see what the result will look like.

 

[sionie1]

I didn't think I'd be interested originally, but those look really smart. Good job.

 

[Scaf]

Looks very good to me and as you say much better than the OEM finish.

I am not sure about the badge thought, possibly a grill emblem might be my choice.