Carbon clams - any takers?

[paulcundy]

Dear All,
Over in the USA they are putting togetehr a gruop buy for some carbon fibre front and rear clams. The thread is below. If there is anyone who is seriuosly interested and prepared to pay them join the thread and put your hand up. At the moment the prices look a bit high for me but with more in the final prices might be a bit easier.

www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?p=10399#post10399

Regards
PauL C

[broad]

I assume that they are doing this to save weight - in which case what is their anticiapted overall weight saving? I would be quite suprised if the power/weight ratio were noticeably improved as the existing clams are not that stupidly heavy to start with.

In my opinion as a cosmetic excercise (without paint) it would look no better than chav and rice-mobiles with carbon bonnets unless the whole exterior of the car was carbon fibre. Leaving the middle section of the car in painted grp would look lame IMO and stone chips in the front clam gelcoat would be practically unrepairable. What are they proposing to do about the differences between UK and USA rear tail-light mouldings?

Just my initial thoughts

G

[paulcundy]

Dear Graham,
I think they are going primarily for weight saving. I'd assume they will be painted. Other questions will be posted. Graham you do this sort of stuff, what would your estimate of cost be? I got a quote from a UK side supplier and they were ball parking £12K each end - gulp!
Regards
Paul C

[broad]

Hi Paul,

I only really get involved with the smaller stuff to be honest. They will have more outlets in the US for larger work than here too so I am not wholey suprised with the telephone numbers you are getting quoted to be honest.

Any clam would really need to be made in pre-preg carbon fibre and autoclaved in order to be suitable for this application. There are very few in the UK willing to do such a one-off project or with a big enough autoclave to fit a clam in !!

There is also the issue of copying Noble's bodywork without permission. I don't know how far you have to go to be reasonably different or of your own design for it not to be a problem. I know that pattern parts - wings, bumpers etc are made under licence once permission has been given by a manufacturer. I don't know if it is an issue or not.

I can't see the US doing a different moulding for UK rear light clusters either although if you were hellbent on getting one then I'm sure you could knock something up to fill in the gap!

I'm still not convinced by a sufficient weight saving either to warrant the cost.

Regards

Graham

[gizard]

The US lights are Hyundai Sonnata ones - there is a UK spec Hyundai sonnata (although it has now been super seeded by a newer one with different rear lights).

[gizard]

Paul - after seeing your clams recently - are you sure you want Carbon ones!?
esp. at that cost

[paulcundy]

gizard said:

Paul - after seeing your clams recently - are you sure you want Carbon ones!? esp. at that cost

Armour plated more like.

[brav]

Thanks guys for your input. I will try to have more answers soon as far as tail lights, weight, and copyrights.

Do you guys happen to know the weight of the stock pieces? This would help a lot in determining weight savings.

>> Edited by brav on Tuesday 18th April 17:37

[obes]

I did head some amazing numbers on weight saving for carbon clams...
can't bloody remember now !

[brav]

obes said:

I did head some amazing numbers on weight saving for carbon clams... can't bloody remember now !

Ahh come on! we need ya!