12 replies to this topic

[hellosio]

I hope I'm wording this right, so forgive my complete lack of knowledge on the subject, but just how many panels can you replace with fibreglass or carbon fibre? I've seen some bits and pieces on various websites like roof skins, front ends, wheel arches, dashes etc. is there anything I should avoid (minus obviously important structural bits!) or just isn't worth it? my mini is only used for driving around i.e. isn't a show car so I'm not looking to go crazy. this is a total grey area for me so please be gentle!

Edited by hellosio, 21 August 2008 - 09:44 AM.

[benpopham]

Dont touch the roof.. its quite important. most other stuff is ok.

[Berty Wooster]

why dont touch the roof?

[Tomf]

Yea why dont touch the roofs lol, the main structure is through the roof seams, how do you think they use webasto sunroofs? Theres no extra braxing added for them!

to be honest all the CF and fiberglass panels made, would only be made if there ok to use, otherwise why would they be made?

[Ouster]

A lighter roof means a lower centre of gravity. All good in my eyes.

[photographymatt]

yeah, what idiot would replace a perfectly good roof with a carbon fibre one? They didnt have them as standard so it would ruin the classic aspect *more winking*

[Custom_Minis]

its recommended that you have at least a 6 point cage in the car thats tied back at head height. Normally at the top seatbelt mounts and down the inside of the windscreen panel.

You see them on track cars mainly that have a full FIA/MSA cage anyway. Road cars tend to be just for looks so you could in fact just bond the carbon skin over your steel roof.

Les

[Sam Walters]

how many carbon panels can you get.

well.

front end bonnet

dash.

roof

doors

boot floor

parcel shelf

boot lid

rear 1/4 panels

parcel shelf.

[hellosio]

yeah, what idiot would replace a perfectly good roof with a carbon fibre one? They didnt have them as standard so it would ruin the classic aspect *more winking*

ha ha yeah, especially as I already have a webasto sunroof wouldn't want to lose that in the brief summer we have!

[photographymatt]

yeah, what idiot would replace a perfectly good roof with a carbon fibre one? They didnt have them as standard so it would ruin the classic aspect *more winking*

ha ha yeah, especially as I already have a webasto sunroof wouldn't want to lose that in the brief summer we have!

I was so totally taking the p*ss out of some of the members in the scene who are overly elitist about a car that lets you be as individual as you want:-) by the way I like the open classics, when I was buying my mini I looked at afew but always sold by the time I got there:-( oh well.hehe

[hellosio]

yeah, what idiot would replace a perfectly good roof with a carbon fibre one? They didnt have them as standard so it would ruin the classic aspect *more winking*

ha ha yeah, especially as I already have a webasto sunroof wouldn't want to lose that in the brief summer we have!

I was so totally taking the p*ss out of some of the members in the scene who are overly elitist about a car that lets you be as individual as you want:-) by the way I like the open classics, when I was buying my mini I looked at afew but always sold by the time I got there:-( oh well.hehe

doh! missed that one sorry
they are pretty nice and yeah, i know what you mean about few & far between! i only ever see a handful for sale at any one time.

[merlinsteve]

with respect to carbon.
alot of the parts on the market are simply a thin skin of carbon over fibreglass. I don't know if this is the case with the parts you are dealing with but it certainly is here in Australia.
most of the "Carbon Bonnets" that you see on skylines, supras, s15 etc fall into this category nd some of them are still really heavy.
I would also check out whether they are road legal, again here full carbon bonnets don't pass but fibreglass does?????
On the upside, carbon would be really light and provided you didn't bainy over it fully would look awsome, just don't crack it or it looese all its strength.

[Ethel]

Fitting non standard panels is something your insurers will want to know about. The accessory bits, arches, dashes etc won't be much of an issue. Bolt on replacements like boot lids 'n bonnets are easy enough but may need fettling or extra fitting as they're likely to be more flexible than steel. Flip fronts are major surgery and will defo make your Mini into a modified car.

Even fibreglass is twice as strong as sheet steel compared weight for weight, but you need to attach it properly to see any gain - a couple of hinges rubber hooks won't hold the car together as well as several spot welded seams.