Thinking about doing composite parts again... - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 08:21 AM

I miss working with composites, so I'm looking to maybe get back into it. I'm thinking about starting out small, and work my way up to large body parts.

What do you guys think of carbon fiber valve covers? I was thinking maybe starting there. I can only be as one member put it here, a " parts jockey" for so long, the pay isn't good enough by any means, and my talent to work with these composites is going to waste.

I was thinking SBC valve covers to start with since they are the easiest, and most common of valve covers to produce for our engines. It would be a 3 layer design, 2X2 twill as the first layers, then a mid layer of Kevlar for strength and rigidity, and then a final layer of unidirectional carbon fiber for additional strength and help with the mating surface, and possibly an aluminumpiece that would run around the perimeter for gasket mating assistance, but I believe using some RTV would seal that right up.

So who would maybe be interested in looking into a set of these? I really want to bring my experience to our group, and to our chassis. I'm just looking to gain interest right now, see if it would be worth doing.

sweetbmxrider · 04-07-2011, 10:01 AM

I think they look really good when it goes with the rest of the motor.

Pending the price and how mine look after some time, I could be into it.

Nother shot

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 10:46 AM

I see they're coming in at around 380 from that company, I think I'd be able to come in lesser on my price since I'm the only one doing the work.

FYI, I only vacuum bag, which saves weight, and evenly distributes the epoxy resin for a smoother finish.

sweetbmxrider · 04-07-2011, 10:56 AM

I'd like to see what you come up with for sure.

V · 04-07-2011, 11:16 AM

could you make other parts like rad covers and such? (mainly wondering about CTS one)

what about brackets and other one off items?

sweetbmxrider · 04-07-2011, 11:33 AM

Yeah I could be into 1 off's but I don't know how the pricing will be.

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 11:52 AM

problem with one-offs is you have to pay for a one off, meaning you have to pay for the mold and the part since a mass produced part would usually help pay off the production of the mold.

Paul- That could be something I can do, but I would need a donor, and that would potentially get damaged from reinforcing it to make a mold since it flexes too much as is, which might make the finish product hard to install without minor modification if not reinforced. ( I.E. the end tabs.) Right now I could do simplified stuff like those.

Things like 3.8 valve covers, which use a rubber gasket that sits inside a track around the bottom, would require two molds bolted together to get that, and I'm not looking into getting that involved just yet...but just about anything is possible if the demand is high enough.

LTb1ow · 04-07-2011, 11:53 AM

Carbon fiber dash pads.

Make mad monies.

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTs1ow

Carbon fiber dash pads.

Make mad monies.

Thought about it. Demand it enough, and it may come true.

sweetbmxrider · 04-07-2011, 12:40 PM

Full dash would be cool too. a pillars with the option of gauges!

LTb1ow · 04-07-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacdout96

Thought about it. Demand it enough, and it may come true.

GM sells em for ~300, and these cars are not getting any younger...

sweetbmxrider · 04-07-2011, 12:52 PM

6LE sells them for a little over $100 to around $150

LTb1ow · 04-07-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

6LE sells them for a little over $100 to around $150

F that guy.

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 01:06 PM

A-Pillar's? I'd have to take a look and see how complex they are, but they seem doable for the most part. I could do just about anything, but I would need enough people for the first batch to make it worth it, like 8-10 orders minimun. If the Jersey shore Pals (JSP) can get enough people interested, or even other places like LS1tech ro something, I can't see things not getting enough interest to produce.

LTb1ow · 04-07-2011, 01:09 PM

Any pics of your work ?

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 01:17 PM

Haven't made a part since I left Viking, but basically look up their 46 and 82 yatchs, I either built or had a hand in just about all the parts from the hull, to the transom to the live wells and tuna tubes.

I'll make something now that I have a reason to get out of the house to show you guys my attention to detail and workmanship.

LTb1ow · 04-07-2011, 01:18 PM

Bah, I know some crappy Viking glassing...

And cool, would be nice to see some A pillar pods for hard top cars.

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 01:27 PM

Absolutely, there's tons of parts on our cars that aren't too complex. I'd like to hear more interest from others, glad to see some interest in the first place.

LTb1ow · 04-07-2011, 01:35 PM

And just simple stuff like radio/HVAC delete plates would prob sell.

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 01:40 PM

Ah! that's right, forgot about those, maybe I will start with those, since that is nothing more then a flat piece with possibly some bolt locations. I would only use either two pieces of carbon fiber ( 2x2 and unidrectional) or if there will be buttons and knobs, possibly one piece of carbon, and one piece of Kevlar to prevent flexing when you go to push a button or flick a switch.
I'll have to take a look at my price list at home, and do some quick math.

WildBillyT · 04-07-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacdout96

Absolutely, there's tons of parts on our cars that aren't too complex. I'd like to hear more interest from others, glad to see some interest in the first place.

Depending on your pricing I may ask you to do a 3 hole pillar gauge pod for my Nova. I have another guy doing it but his is a mashup of a stock pillar and a universal one. I'd have you use that as a base and make a one piece. I'll let you know.

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Depending on your pricing I may ask you to do a 3 hole pillar gauge pod for my Nova. I have another guy doing it but his is a mashup of a stock pillar and a universal one. I'd have you use that as a base and make a one piece. I'll let you know.

send me some pics of the progress, Id like to see what he's got going on, see if I have to blend the guages into the pillar. is that pillar metal or plastic too?

WildBillyT · 04-07-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacdout96

send me some pics of the progress, Id like to see what he's got going on, see if I have to blend the guages into the pillar. is that pillar metal or plastic too?

He hasn't started- still in infancy.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j7...illarcover.jpg

68s are different slightly though. Again, if pricing is not bad I'd consider buying a crappy stock pillar and sending it to you to play with.

Blacdout96 · 04-07-2011, 01:59 PM

Hmm, I might have to see a few other photos, but so far I see where he's going with it, and seems doable. I would have to sand it smooth because the epoxy gets distorted and bumpy and looks like **** if you leave the surface coarse like that ( damn ABS plastic lol). I might be able to make a cheaper mold then normal since all the curves give it strength and reduced flexing.

jts98z28 · 04-07-2011, 02:52 PM

if you could make this for less than $30 id buy it