Carbonfiber - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Andrew Pedretti · 02-02-2010, 12:52 PM

I did a quick search of a few forum sections here and noticed not a lot of people have mentioned carbon fiber as a material for weight reduction/aero/etc. considering carbon fiber is extremely light and strong, i figured i'd find tons of information about it here.

wyatt · 02-02-2010, 01:01 PM

I think the reason you don't find more is that carbon fiber is expensive too... at least more expensive than coroplast, duct tape, and other found materials. You will find some info on fiberglass.

Andrew Pedretti · 02-02-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyatt

I think the reason you don't find more is that carbon fiber is expensive too... at least more expensive than coroplast, duct tape, and other found materials. You will find some info on fiberglass.

i do know how to lay carbon fiber (and fiberglass), I was just surprised it hadn't come up in conversation at some point. Duck tape?

Daox · 02-02-2010, 01:43 PM

Weight isn't nearly as big of an issue as aerodynamics. Thats why aero is probably the most modified part on most of our cars.

ChazInMT · 02-02-2010, 01:58 PM

What the heck would someone from Bozeman MT know about carbon fiber??? (Just Kidding) Carbon fiber is very expensive just for the material, I think if people were going to do something permanent they might consider it, but most aero mods are "Lets see if this works" so are often thought of as short term experiments. The economics don't pencil out either, why spend an extra $300-$800 for something which would take 30,000-50,000 miles of driving to pay off. Ecomodders are sort of by definition frugal, what interest would they have in this subject if otherwise? So slapping together a half tonneau cover out of lumberyard materials for $35 to save 3 MPG is more the goal here.

Bow · 02-02-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazInMT

So slapping together a half tonneau cover out of lumberyard materials for $35 to save 3 MPG is more the goal here.

Hey!

I resemble that remark!

Christ · 02-02-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bow

Hey!

I resemble that remark!

Quite literally, LOL.

Andrew Pedretti · 02-02-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazInMT

What the heck would someone from Bozeman MT know about carbon fiber??? (Just Kidding) Carbon fiber is very expensive just for the material, I think if people were going to do something permanent they might consider it, but most aero mods are "Lets see if this works" so are often thought of as short term experiments. The economics don't pencil out either, why spend an extra $300-$800 for something which would take 30,000-50,000 miles of driving to pay off. Ecomodders are sort of by definition frugal, what interest would they have in this subject if otherwise? So slapping together a half tonneau cover out of lumberyard materials for $35 to save 3 MPG is more the goal here.

hehe, i live in minnesota. I'm attending college in montana. i see what you mean though, personally i like to go all out the first time (after some testing of course) and i'm kind of playing two edges since i'm over on a street tuner forum for kias and i'm over here for ecomodding

vtec-e · 02-02-2010, 04:34 PM

Just how much is carbon fibre anyways? Is it worked much like fibreglass?

ollie

Christ · 02-02-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtec-e

Just how much is carbon fibre anyways? Is it worked much like fibreglass?

ollie

In my limited experience with either material, the methodology is basically the same, but the materials and resins are different.

It should be noted that there is a big difference between CF that is used on "tuner" parts, and CF that is just CF.

If it's meant to look good, it will have a multi-color weave to it. Real CF doesn't necessarily have that weave, and can be all black.