Looking for a cf hood help

[BKelsey]

Hey guys I'm looking for a carbon fiber hood for me e85 but I've only seen a cf hood that looks stock and that's not what I want anybody know of a nice looking cf hood?

[psygnosis]

No one really makes any aftermarket hoods for the Z4

(also its the same hood for all models, with some extra lines for the M variety)

[Z4-VILLA]

Varis makes two versions and it will run you about 5k after shipping

[Twisted Six]

I'm going to be building molds from a stock Z4-M hood this Summer late. But a final release won't likely be until Winter time. Just a thought if your in no rush.

[BKelsey]

I am interested in the z4m hood if it's around $ 6-700 I found non z4m hoods for $600

[MPowerZ32]

Originally Posted by Dark Schnitzer

I'm going to be building molds from a stock Z4-M hood this Summer late. But a final release won't likely be until Winter time. Just a thought if your in no rush.

Nice! Would the hood have built-in vents?

[M-Power M3]

Originally Posted by MPowerZ32

Nice! Would the hood have built-in vents?

e90/92 m3 style vents would be sick.

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by BKelsey

I am interested in the z4m hood if it's around $ 6-700 I found non z4m hoods for $600

Not with my system and quality. Your shopping at Wal-mart there,lol.

Originally Posted by MPowerZ32

Nice! Would the hood have built-in vents?

I'll be doing stock and a vented version.

Originally Posted by M-Power M3

e90/92 m3 style vents would be sick.

I've considered mocking this up to view. Our hood lines are just very different than the M3's.

[3002 tii]

I always wondered how/if cf hoods are less safe during a crash as they would not crumple upon impact. Full disclosure I know nothing on the topic.

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

I always wondered how/if cf hoods are less safe during a crash as they would not crumple upon impact. Full disclosure I know nothing on the topic.

My Hoods will remain with the same crumple zones as OEM. The roofs do not have that engineered into them due to location and purpose of cabin containment.

Our coupe metal roofs would tear easily upon a roll-over and some re-bar or gravel/rocks.......but not with Kevlar and Honeycomb built in. You could skid on the roof for 50 yds. before eating through , if at all.

Now....if the hood crumple zones on a hood are deleted upon re-design....they would actually be stiffer than OEM if the strand orientation is laid up as such. However...most lower end after market CF that is mixed with fiberglass is super brittle.

[ZStig]

are u using pre-preg carbon fiber and an auto clave?

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

are u using pre-preg carbon fiber and an auto clave?

I certainly could -(one of my friends does Mil-spec composites).....but not if you want these to be affordable and avoid F1 level costs.

One of the reasons I was considering moving on to other projects is that I can spend the same amount of development in cost and time and only charge say...$1,500.00 for a hood on a Z4.....or repeat said time and development costs for a higher end car and charge $6,500.00-10,000.00 per part.

I'm just not greedy.....but I do want to be comfortable as I work hard and need to be able to rely on the enthusiast in focus to support the results and not just be tire kickers and fan-boys when the time comes to deliver on both ends of the deals. -( I'm not saying anyone yet on here has been.)

My molds are designed to withstand the heat,pressure and vacuum levels of an Autoclave and are costly. I'm doing these Z4 parts as close to Autoclave levels as our market can afford I feel.

No need to show a diamond any more clear than the audience is willing to pay for, right ?

[Z4-VILLA]

After seeing how much better it is to have someone from this forum make custom pieces like DKF ,I have no doubt this will be another great success. Since you are an enthusiast and owner of the Zcar you will most likely put a lot of heart into this, Bravo

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

I always wondered how/if cf hoods are less safe during a crash as they would not crumple upon impact. Full disclosure I know nothing on the topic.

I must say, I keep picturing fruit ninja in my head every time I hear CF hood. Think instant decapitation!

[Gas Monkey]

Twisted...I keep seeing you on all these CF posts, do you have a shop in cali?

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by Gas Monkey

Twisted...I keep seeing you on all these CF posts, do you have a shop in cali?

Yes. Building several Z4 specific parts molds .
Coupe roofs and hatches, M seat backs, hatch spoiler, rear M diffuser, soon to be doors and a few more.

[WickedNy]

Not to go off topic, but as far as the hatch spoiler are you going for the tiny OEM wing or something along the lines of Varis/Arkym?

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by WickedNy

Not to go off topic, but as far as the hatch spoiler are you going for the tiny OEM wing or something along the lines of Varis/Arkym?

Good question to make clear. I have no interest in the small deck lip. This design is for actual downforce and more pronounced form. I'm aiming for Varis/Arkym size with more smooth transitions.

[beta]

Originally Posted by Twisted Six

Yes. Building several Z4 specific parts molds .
Coupe roofs and hatches, M seat backs, hatch spoiler, rear M diffuser, soon to be doors and a few more.

Haven't seen you mention seat backs, do you expect to be able to save some significant weight there?

[nekky]

Originally Posted by Twisted Six

Yes. Building several Z4 specific parts molds .
Coupe roofs and hatches, M seat backs, hatch spoiler, rear M diffuser, soon to be doors and a few more.

Definitely in for a diffuser a la Dubsesd's car..

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by beta

Haven't seen you mention seat backs, do you expect to be able to save some significant weight there?

They are actually much heavier than one would think. I'll weigh one for the record. Once again, about 60-75% weight should be viable to lose when done in full Carbon/Kevlar and core.

Originally Posted by nekky

Definitely in for a diffuser a la Dubsesd's car..

While the diffuser will have some strakes/bars/dividers like the plastic version Dubs is using...they will be a full lower-to-diff panel design and come up into the rear vent screen area to be fully functional.

I may add an optional set of exhaust surrounds similar to the ACS panel. They make a nice finisher. IMO.

[beta]

Originally Posted by Twisted Six

They are actually much heavier than one would think. I'll weigh one for the record. Once again, about 60-75% weight should be viable to lose when done in full Carbon/Kevlar and core.

If it's anywhere close to that I'd definitely be in. I can't wait until you're in full production, there's not a lot of places to shed weight easily besides seats and battery.