Is it just me or has carbon fiber gone stupid?

TheGreatOne

I voted no

I wouldn't call it a fad because its been around for so long...I had a CF hood on my Prelude in 2000....back when people thought it was ugly, some still do.

Besides weight savings I've always liked the look of it. I just find maybe more now the general public knows about CF as they see it in more applications and more car companies are offering it on cars (real or fake)

I just care that its real CF. You can overdo it sure, but I appreciate someone who spends a little money for an original piece or even wrapping.

I love CF, I'd say I have an addiction, but no overkill...especially on the Z, its so classy

On my 40th though, Carbon Fiber is the perfect compliment.

FYI, the 370Z has a Carbon Fiber driveshaft

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CSA0890

Sort of its supposedly some sort of plastic with a carbon fibre shell.

jcosta79

I will give you an example of what I am talking about:

If you look on E-Bay you can find "carbon fiber" hoods for the 370Z for around $350. I can tell you without even looking at all of them that the hoods are garbage. They weigh more than your stock aluminum hood and are not as strong. They just have a couple layers of carbon fiber matting to achieve the "look" and so that they can legally call it carbon fiber, but the rest is all resin and FRP.

What I don't understand is why someone would buy a hood like this. If it's for looks, just wrap the hood you have now in CF vinyl. (Still gay, but whatever) If you think you are getting a better quality piece because it's "carbon fiber", you are unfortunately very mistaken. The fit and finish of the piece is going to be horrible, the strength is much less than stock and it will be heavier than stock. There is nothing "better" about it versus your stock aluminum hood.

A quality carbon fiber hood would cost around $4K-$5K and will still look and fit like garbage because it will most likely be built for racing. Race car body panels don't "bolt on" and fit like panels built for street cars do, they just don't. They also don't look pretty because they are built for racing and nobody cares. They are likely going to get painted or wrapped and soon after crashed anyway.

My take is, unless you are going racing and spending big dollars on "real" carbon fiber to reduce weight, CF parts are just for show and pretty lame (IMHO).

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