Carbon Fiber Accessories - Looking for Feedback

[protodelorean]

Most of you have seen my car and my work with fiberglass and carbon fiber. I've been working on several replacement accessories for the Delorean in carbon fiber. Some of the parts listed in the poll are already in production, some are in the prototype/mold making phase and some haven't been started. I'm throwing this out there to get a feel for where everyone's interests are. Feel free to ask questions and thanks for your feedback!

Hyperlinks to DMCH's catalog in case you're not sure which parts I'm referring to.

Battery Cover (110117) (http://store.delorean.com/p-6757-cover.aspx)
Brake Servo Access Panel (106004) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9284-brake-servo-access-pnl.aspx)
Jack Stowage Cover (108294) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9297-jack-stowage-cover.aspx)
Shifter Surround (108240) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9833-front-panel-w-clock-hole.aspx)
Console Armrest (108239) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9843-console-cvr-ctr-black.aspx)
Console Tray (108232) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9848-console-tray-black.aspx)
Grille (100344) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9712-grille.aspx)
Front Spoiler (100632) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9710-spoiler.aspx)
Lower Engine Cover (100593) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9618-engine-cover.aspx)
Rear Screen Upper Finisher (105721) (http://store.delorean.com/p-9338-rear-screen-upper-finisher.aspx)

[Shep]

By "already in production", do you mean already for sale? Out of curiosity, which ones?

[Kenny_Z]

I always thought the rocker guards/ground effects would look good in carbon fiber. Especially if you're already doing the front spoiler.

[protodelorean]

By "already in production", do you mean already for sale? Out of curiosity, which ones?

Hey Shep. Molds are already complete for the Battery Cover and Shifter Surround. Still working on some of the hardware that will come with them.

Molds for the Jack Storage Cover and Brake Servo Cover are in progress. (These will not be simple flat plates like the originals. They'll have raised frames and ribs for "strength".)

[protodelorean]

I always thought the rocker guards/ground effects would look good in carbon fiber. Especially if you're already doing the front spoiler.

Hmmm. I'll need to take a look at my originals. Because of the size, these wouldn't be cheap. Do you think it'd be worth it since they're so low on the car. Would people really be able to see they're carbon fiber?

[Kenny_Z]

The same could be said for the battery cover and brake servo access (if the carpet is used). I think if the stock shape used some standoffs to push it out enough to cover the underside of the car that can be seen then people would be able to see it's carbon fiber. I'm sure I'm not alone with people asking if I'm missing a rocker panel or something as they point out the rubber grommet cover for the seatbelt bolt. If it was an aftermarket style ground effects kit the I'm positive that people would notice.

[nullset]

If I had an unlimited budget for something ridiculous, I'd make a full set of carbon fiber body panels.

How awesome and silly would that be?

--buddy

[Bitsyncmaster]

Probably save 5 pounds from the stock grill. Inside door handles would be another way to save weight and back off the force on opening the doors. I would be interested in door handles just for the weight. Probably not the grill because of cost.

[vwdmc16]

Inner door handles? Are your made of cast iron instead of plastic like the rest of ours? I must not be thinking of the same part.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Inner door handles? Are your made of cast iron instead of plastic like the rest of ours? I must not be thinking of the same part.

You never removed the handle (part you pull to close the door) have you?

[vwdmc16]

The grab handle where the strap goes? of course ive removed that plenty of times. Yeah I guess thats kinda heavy, not the first thing i would want remade in CF.

[r00b]

coil cover http://store.delorean.com/p-7126-cover-assy.aspx
air box http://store.delorean.com/p-6352-air-filter-assembly.aspx
binnacle http://store.delorean.com/p-9784-binnacle-black.aspx
license plate bezel http://store.delorean.com/p-9742-bezel-rear-license-plt.aspx

[protodelorean]

There's another one I missed that someone suggested: How about the Legend-style air scoops? Like this:

16179

Any interest?

[thirdmanj]

There's another one I missed that someone suggested: How about the Legend-style air scoops? Like this:

16179

Any interest?

Yes! What would the price range be?

[protodelorean]

coil cover http://store.delorean.com/p-7126-cover-assy.aspx
air box http://store.delorean.com/p-6352-air-filter-assembly.aspx
binnacle http://store.delorean.com/p-9784-binnacle-black.aspx
license plate bezel http://store.delorean.com/p-9742-bezel-rear-license-plt.aspx

Coil cover - on my list
air box - probably not a good shape for open molding. (more suited for injection molding)
binnacle - Isn't DMCH doing these?
license plate bezel - also on my list

Thanks!

[Patrick C]

How about Carbon Fiber louvres? If done correctly, those would look SWEET.

[Ryan King]

There's another one I missed that someone suggested: How about the Legend-style air scoops? Like this:

16179

Any interest?

Yes!!!!

[Shep]

Molds are already complete for the Battery Cover and Shifter Surround. Still working on some of the hardware that will come with them.Cool! I'm interested in making the entire center of the cabin (from the parcel shelf to the HVAC panel) made from carbon fiber, so the Console Armrest and Console Tray would go hand-in-hand with the shifter surround in my opinion. Console Armrest seems like it has some challenging geometry by the switches though.


Molds for the Jack Storage Cover and Brake Servo Cover are in progress. (These will not be simple flat plates like the originals. They'll have raised frames and ribs for "strength".)Curious: does the Jack Storage Cover need extra strength? Mine's been completely missing for 30 years with no ill effects, the entire time housing the stock jack equipment.


By the way, not sure if you saw it, but I sent you a semi-related PM :wink:

[protodelorean]

Cool! I'm interested in making the entire center of the cabin (from the parcel shelf to the HVAC panel) made from carbon fiber, so the Console Armrest and Console Tray would go hand-in-hand with the shifter surround in my opinion. Console Armrest seems like it has some challenging geometry by the switches though.

Curious: does the Jack Storage Cover need extra strength? Mine's been completely missing for 30 years with no ill effects, the entire time housing the stock jack equipment.


By the way, not sure if you saw it, but I sent you a semi-related PM :wink:

Hey Shep. Replied to your PM. As for the Jack Cover, No, not a structural part. It is however a nicely visible part in the front trunk that is very easy to install. So for someone wanting to add a little carbon fiber to his/her D, it'll be a nice "entry piece" into the world of carbon fiber accessories.

[Nicholas R]

There's another one I missed that someone suggested: How about the Legend-style air scoops? Like this:

16179

Any interest?

I would definitely be interested in a set of these! Honestly I dont care what they're made out of; carbon fiber, fiberglass, lexan, abs, etc. cause I'd just want them to be black.

Will it black out the entire window the way that these do? Any idea how they actually affix to the panel?

[thirdmanj]

I would definitely be interested in a set of these! Honestly I dont care what they're made out of; carbon fiber, fiberglass, lexan, abs, etc. cause I'd just want them to be black.

Will it black out the entire window the way that these do? Any idea how they actually affix to the panel?

I've heard that some that were for sale a while back, we're affixed with just some 3M tape. I can't think of any other way to do it.

[1batt4u]

I would definitely buy Lower Engine Cover (100593)

[Dangermouse]

What about a T-Panel in cf with exposed grain/pattern?



Can't decide if it would look awesome or dorky...........................

[Nicholas R]

I've heard that some that were for sale a while back, we're affixed with just some 3M tape. I can't think of any other way to do it.

Yea I think I remember seeing DMCCA selling them in years past. I've been thinking of trying to make scoops for quite a while. My plan was alwasy to have them be completely enclosed, except where the vent allows air in currently. iInstead of being just a shell, they would essentially be a tube with the inlet at the front end, and an opening at the back end that encases the current vent. The lower part of the scoop/tube would essentially follow the contour of the window and I would adhear them directly to the window. I wouldn't want to black out the entire window, just the part that the scoop actually covers.

I was getting close to pulling the trigger on trying to make some but if this sale happens, I may hold off and just buy them. I suppose it depends on the time frame and estimated cost. I think I can make a set with fiberglass for ~$100 but then of course theres always the possibility I completely fail, haha.

[protodelorean]

What about a T-Panel in cf with exposed grain/pattern?



Can't decide if it would look awesome or dorky...........................


Dermot, I've been thinking ab out that one myself. I know it would work on my car. Not sure how many folks with bare stainless would be willing to lose some stainless, even if it is for carbon fiber. Opinions?

[protodelorean]

Yea I think I remember seeing DMCCA selling them in years past. I've been thinking of trying to make scoops for quite a while. My plan was alwasy to have them be completely enclosed, except where the vent allows air in currently. iInstead of being just a shell, they would essentially be a tube with the inlet at the front end, and an opening at the back end that encases the current vent. The lower part of the scoop/tube would essentially follow the contour of the window and I would adhear them directly to the window. I wouldn't want to black out the entire window, just the part that the scoop actually covers.

I was getting close to pulling the trigger on trying to make some but if this sale happens, I may hold off and just buy them. I suppose it depends on the time frame and estimated cost. I think I can make a set with fiberglass for ~$100 but then of course theres always the possibility I completely fail, haha.


Ding Ding Ding! The ones that I'd seen for sale had these huge exposed flanges and double-sided tape. (nasty) I was planning the approach that Nick described above.

Edit: I found a shot of the type with the flanges (I do NOT like this style)

16321

[Nicholas R]

Ding Ding Ding! The ones that I'd seen for sale had these huge exposed flanges and double-sided tape. (nasty) I was planning the approach that Nick described above.

Edit: I found a shot of the type with the flanges (I do NOT like this style)

16321

Agreed, I would never want them to touch the stainless. To me the ones that stick to the stainless look rather cheap and poorly crafted. They remind me of a generic scoop from Pepboys instead of a scoop thats made for the specific vehicle. The least they could do is have their flanges go inward instead of outward. I'm sure they do their job, but to me you have to fit both form and function, not just function.

[vtdmc]

If you are looking for weight savings, the engine cover and louvers would be the first place to start.

Carbon louvers, side skirt, and front spoiler would be modern look.

[Henrik]

If you are looking for weight savings, the engine cover and louvers would be the first place to start.

Carbon louvers, side skirt, and front spoiler would be modern look.

I am interested in an engine cover, slightly modified with additional grills for improved under-hood venting (I have a high mounted turbo+cast iron header).

Also, I saw somewhere where someone had a completely opaque engine cover; I just can't remember where I saw it; could have been made out of Lexan, polycarbonate or similar. Does that ring a bell with anyone?

[Spittybug]

I am interested in an engine cover, slightly modified with additional grills for improved under-hood venting (I have a high mounted turbo+cast iron header).

Also, I saw somewhere where someone had a completely opaque engine cover; I just can't remember where I saw it; could have been made out of Lexan, polycarbonate or similar. Does that ring a bell with anyone?


That may have been mine. A prototype I no longer use but may switch back to with tempered glass. The rearmost panels remained the perforated steel, just removed in this picture. (I'm assuming you meant transparent, not opaque....)

[tom kish vin. 4357]

There's another one I missed that someone suggested: How about the Legend-style air scoops? Like this:

16179

Any interest?

I would buy a set.

[tom kish vin. 4357]

How about a console armrest made with cup holders in it.

[Henrik]

That may have been mine. A prototype I no longer use but may switch back to with tempered glass. The rearmost panels remained the perforated steel, just removed in this picture. (I'm assuming you meant transparent, not opaque....)

That's very cool looking but not the one I had seen before. Well.. now I've seen two examples. And yes: transparent, not opaque.

[SProfita]

How about a console armrest made with cup holders in it.



Good idea there! Would be interested to know price on some of the interior pieces

[Riley88]

My dream is for someone to make decent looking aggressive air scoops. Ive search and can never find what I would like

[wyatt81dmc]

I would also love to find some aggressive air scoops.