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    1. #1
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      Carbon Fiber Business

      Does anyone foresee more entries into the Carbon Fiber business? Seems there are really only a couple making panels for old muscle cars and they charge ridiculous prices and I hear they don’t even fit that great. I’m under the assumption the process is very expensive and I would believe profit isn’t great yet I see these folks building very high end cars. So I assume they have the spare cash to build $100k cars in their spare time they are making big bucks? I hear SEMA showcased some new options.


      1970 Camaro/DSE build


      Are you driver enough? Maybe....come on blue!
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...71#post1147371


    2. #2
      Join Date
      Sep 2005
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      Tough to say - Expensive to get into and for probably a little return unless they luck out on a product that sells in volume. The companies that I have known in the Porsche circles that made C/F parts moved on to other things

    3. #3
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      Aug 2015
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      charlotte
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      I feel like it's possible with a bigger production, as it has proven to be with modern cars, BMW's etc. perhaps the demand is just too low for our cars to make it worthwhile? when more detailed tighter-fitting hoods are available all day long for $600-1000 it makes me wonder why they're so expensive for our cars.

    4. #4
      Join Date
      May 2018
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      way east on a rock
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      155
      There is a company that makes parts for WeaponX that does outstanding work. I have a hood, a splitter, and some smaller bits for my CTSV bought through Ben and it's really nice stuff. I don't know who makes it for him, but it is done here in the states. Maybe he would share who it is, I'll ask.
      Ford offers CF bits in the Raptor and they are really well done too, although they have had a hard time keeping up with the orders from what I've been told. It's a tough, toxic business, vendors don't seem to last...

    5. #5
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      May 2010
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      kitchener,Ontario,Canada
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      I think half the problem with making parts for older cars is you have to remember the tolerances on these thing is plus or minus 2 inches lol . Newer cars are easier to make parts for because they quite often have only one or 2 plants producing them and very tight tolerances. Spending a few grand to make a mold for a car that you might pop 6 hoods a yr out of isnt a good business plan
      Spinnin'my tires in life's fast lane

      Ryan Austin
      On twitter @raustinss
      On Instagram austinss70

    6. #6
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      May 2013
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      Colton Ca.
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      Ryan hit the nail on the head. 40 year old cars have all been treated different by each owner and hack body shops. To make panels that fit each car perfect would require each individual car to be fitted for the panels or a person who just simply understands panel fitment.

      I think the reason the prices are so expensive is because people expect close to perfection on the panels for the old cars. Look at the import seen, you can buy carbon fiber hoods, trunks etc fairly cheap but look at your a audience. They expect panels to be flawed or fit just "ok". Try to sell the same not so perfect panels to muscle car guys and we'd want better then just "ok".

      Most complain about cost but everything isn't for everyone. You want carbon you have to pay. Want trick suspension already designed, you have to pay, don't know how to do panel replacement or body work but want the cleanest paint job, you have to pay.

      I purchased a bunch of Carbon blems from Anvil when they did sell them and I'm ok with the flaws, cracks etc. I'll fix them and they'll be good enough for my ride.

      Try contacting different carbon shops for the import seen and see if they have interest in making domestic parts?
      Ultra carbon makes a bunch of really nice parts but you pay a premium.
      Ahmad B.

    7. #7
      Join Date
      Feb 2019
      Location
      Kankakee IL
      Posts
      362
      To do carbon parts correctly is very expensive in upfront costs to start the business. I'm sure you'll find the ones doing it right were already in the cf business already and branched out.
      Tracey

    8. #8
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      Aug 2004
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      NJ
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      I contacted Speedkore about carbon fiber parts for first gen Camaros after hearing their interview from SEMA on the Muscle Car Place podcast. They have a hood but the gentleman told me that the mold they made from a car that wasn't perfect and they didn't find out until it was too late. Told me that they do offer it, but you would need to bring them your car and they'll mount and fit the understructure and then bond the top carbon fiber piece to it for a perfect fit. Price was near 3k.
      There's another company called Advan Carbon that makes some first gen stuff and a ton of import parts, they have a guarantee it'll fit.
      I had a lengthy conversation with the owner of Ultra Carbon, which started with a question about his pricing compared to what else you see online. Was a great guy and really educated me on carbon fiber and all the differences. Bottom line is he uses the best of the best, made right here in the US and guarantees its perfection and will fit your car or he'll fix or replace it free, including shipping. Seemed very confident in his product. If I had the money, it would go to him.
      The problem with carbon fiber is that it's so expensive and everyone is expecting to pay fiberglass prices. The parts are out there for us, just how much are you willing to spend?

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Apr 2005
      Posts
      73
      Hey guys,

      If you get time and want to take a look, I'm linking a series of videos produced by Easy Composits Ltd., they are a materials and tool supplier for the moulding industry.

      The videos show the process of taking an OEM hood, building the moulds, laying out and forming components and then using those components in assembling a carbon fiber hood.

      Aside from the cost of cloth, resins, and consumables, producing a quality part is time consuming.

      I've had to build moulds to form replacement components or build repair sections on several of the Shelbys we have built so, I am always interested in the processes.

      Part 1
      https://youtu.be/UgKvDw1E60E

      Part 2
      https://youtu.be/YWbGx_BJVvM

      Part 3
      https://youtu.be/P8ucNBRaBYs

      Later,
      Dan
      2,500th member!

    10. #10
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      Quote Originally Posted by Build-It-Break-It View Post
      Ryan hit the nail on the head. 40 year old Cars...Ultra carbon makes a bunch of really nice parts but you pay a premium.

      Absolutely true, but I’ve noticed even steel panels don’t fit like OEM. Doesn’t make sense to me. Ultra Carbon is insanely priced...$2000 plus shipping for a trunk lid. I bet his hood when he makes one is $5k!
      1970 Camaro/DSE build


      Are you driver enough? Maybe....come on blue!
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...71#post1147371

    11. #11
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      Quote Originally Posted by Build-It-Break-It View Post
      I think the reason the prices are so expensive is because people expect close to perfection on the panels for the old cars. Look at the import seen, you can buy carbon fiber hoods, trunks etc fairly cheap but look at your a audience. They expect panels to be flawed or fit just "ok". Try to sell the same not so perfect panels to muscle car guys and we'd want better then just "ok".
      The Import ( Ricer ) parts are very rarely pure C/F/ They are typically a C/F layer over a fiberglass composite. Fit & Finish there is bad too

    12. #12
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      Quote Originally Posted by thinkfastroth View Post
      Hey guys,

      If you get time and want to take a look, I'm linking a series of videos produced by Easy Composits Ltd., they are a materials and tool supplier for the moulding industry.

      The videos show the process of taking an OEM hood, building the moulds, laying out and forming components and then using those components in assembling a carbon fiber hood.

      Aside from the cost of cloth, resins, and consumables, producing a quality part is time consuming.

      I've had to build moulds to form replacement components or build repair sections on several of the Shelbys we have built so, I am always interested in the processes.

      Part 1
      https://youtu.be/UgKvDw1E60E

      Part 2
      https://youtu.be/YWbGx_BJVvM

      Part 3
      https://youtu.be/P8ucNBRaBYs

      Later,
      Dan
      I think a lot of folks are using pre-pregnated carbon mats now that you use an autoclave. Even so, I think once you have a mold, its a little timely process, but touch time doesn't seem to be too much. It seems the critical step is to have a perfect OEM panel to mold. If you use a ****ty panel with issues the end product will be crap. I know when I bought a AMD header panel, it was too narrow and didn't fit. The OEM I bought fit perfectly.
      1970 Camaro/DSE build


      Are you driver enough? Maybe....come on blue!
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...71#post1147371

    13. #13
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      May 2013
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      Colton Ca.
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      Quote Originally Posted by BMR Sales View Post
      The Import ( Ricer ) parts are very rarely pure C/F/ They are typically a C/F layer over a fiberglass composite. Fit & Finish there is bad too
      Anvil sells carbon laid over fiberglass as well. That's my point as well that most want near perfection but at import prices, ain't happening.

      If Anvil started selling carbon cheaper at import quality there would be so many complaints.

      You have to pay for the higher quality and even what people consider quality differs from person to person. What I may consider nice may be junk to another.
      Ahmad B.

    14. #14
      Join Date
      May 2010
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      kitchener,Ontario,Canada
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      Anvil is import . Not sure if anyone did or didnt know this , this is why it can take up to 6 months for them to complete an order. It takes alot to fill a container and send it across the pond , thru customs, at warehouse , inspect , ship to you etc
      Not to take away from anyone who produces or purchases carbon over fiberglass but, to me I dont see the point its alot of money for a lateral move , a carbon over fiberglass hood can't really save that much weight, yes you get the carbon look . But for a little bit more yu can have both by going to a full carbon piece
      Spinnin'my tires in life's fast lane

      Ryan Austin
      On twitter @raustinss
      On Instagram austinss70

    15. #15
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      Nov 2006
      Location
      Mountain Springs, Texas
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      The difference in weight between fiberglass and carbon is negligible imho. All the weight savings is in replacing the steel panel.

      Don
      1969 Camaro - LSA 6L90E AME sub/IRS
      1957 Buick Estate Wagon
      1959 El Camino - Ironworks frame
      1956 Cameo - full C5 suspension/drivetrain
      1959 Apache Fleetside

    16. #16
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      Quote Originally Posted by dhutton View Post
      The difference in weight between fiberglass and carbon is negligible imho. All the weight savings is in replacing the steel panel.

      Don

      very true, like myself the idea of the Carbon look and the ability to bolt it on like stock is nice.
      1970 Camaro/DSE build


      Are you driver enough? Maybe....come on blue!
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...71#post1147371

    17. #17
      Join Date
      Sep 2016
      Location
      Atlanta
      Posts
      49
      Country Flag: United States
      If you just want the look you can use a stock part make a standard fiberglass mold and lay up your part using carbon fiber and a standard catalyzed epoxy resin. You get the look just not the weight or the strength. I doubt many on this forum
      really need or require true " carbon fiber" me included. When I make my front end I am going to use type S fiberglass. near as strong as fiber and about as light. And the big win is you can do it in your garage. If it's just a look thing I would just wrap it. Some Of the wraps I saw at SEMA this year look amazing. Just my 2 cents worth.

    18. #18
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      May 2010
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      kitchener,Ontario,Canada
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      Nobody NEEDS carbon fiber ... just like nobody NEEDS 600 plus hp in a daily ... but we all want it lol
      Spinnin'my tires in life's fast lane

      Ryan Austin
      On twitter @raustinss
      On Instagram austinss70

    19. #19
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      Quote Originally Posted by raustinss View Post
      Nobody NEEDS carbon fiber ... just like nobody NEEDS 600 plus hp in a daily ... but we all want it lol

      Very true. I want carbon fiber to shed some weight. I know I can do that with fiberglass, but I want a higher end “end product”.
      1970 Camaro/DSE build


      Are you driver enough? Maybe....come on blue!
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...71#post1147371

    20. #20
      Join Date
      Feb 2013
      Posts
      1,414
      Country Flag: United States
      Zach from Zrodz Customs has a sister company opening up that is called Fiber Forged Composites. Their website is still being built but they have an active Facebook and Instagram. All of the parts that I've seen from them are unbelievable. Here's his Camaro: https://www.fuelcurve.com/z-rodz-1971-camaro/

      I know he's got alot more in the works now too.


      Ridetech Suspsension
      Tech Specialist
      Phone: 812.481.4734

      Project Fox
      1979 Trans Am

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