Thanks Xcessive. I'll be putting together a list soon
-Paras

 

First off, let me say that the most recent chop looks fantastic. Not anything I would do to my car, but I think it looks awesome!

Now, as for the lift problem - it wouldn't be a problem at all in any kinds of daily driving situations, and probably would not be any different from stock handling below 100mph. Now, for this talk of developing a functional splitter, Paras, I'm afraid you'd be opening a huge bag of worms if you wanted to claim this, because 1) you'd actually need to rent time in a wind tunnel for development, and 2) spend a lot more $$$ on R&D and parts to actually make it functional and claim that it actually is functional.

Of course the higher costs in development will make it that much more expensive to sell to the consumer and the price will skyrocket for such a short run.

I hate to be negative, but I just don't want to see you get yourself in trouble after getting knee-deep in development of this part and creating a functional splitter...

Just my $.02...but I gotta say I do love the look!

 

True--I'm mostly going to be looking at a many cars that include splitters and trying to create something off of that. I don't claim to have any technical expertise. Its mainly research off the internet and my imagination (and Neablas' imagination of course). I don't claim to have real data and access to a wind tunnel but I think that most people wouldn't expect that much from an "average Joe" CF member putting this together... But yeah, I see your point--thanks and let it be known that I'm not a rocket scientist!

(IMveryHO) At the same time, though I'm sure wind tunnel testing and all the advanced R&D helps more than I could imagine, if you start to look at all sorts of cars from Ferraris to stock car development through the 80's to the Ford GT to certain Porsches to even some Japanese cars and Mustangs, you can start to get a pretty good idea as to what a splitter should look like... (my 2 cents)

 

Paras, here's my take on your front end from the front. I didn't do anything with it (put it on the car), because this is Neablas project. So, I'll let him do it if he wants to.

 

Very interesting.. I'd have to see a kit installed on a car first, but you definitely have me interested.

 

Well, I think you can dsign a functional splitter without ever going to the tunnel just as Paras said. The problem will be to design the most functional spliter vs. size vs weight vs aero drag etc... but that is way beyond the scope of the purpose here. You can make a functional splitter just not the "most" functional splitter. Even Ferrari compromised on the aero design for street use and its comp use in the challenge series. And the cutback slant of the nose has two issues 1) cosmetics and 2) function. The less nose we have increases the departure angle for driveways. Look at a BMW m3 it can go up driveways a C5 could only dream of. We will have to trade looks for function on this one. I also am a bigger fan of FG than poly. My reason is because if I don't llike some minor issue with the outcome of the final product I can change it. In poly you get what you get and it is especially hard for the DIY'er to support poly in all the right places to prevent sags and seam gaps. Think 1980's C3. Also, guys remember that this a bolt on so when the mood strikes you can change your necktie.

 

Fiberglass and polyurethane:
I don't know how good this info is but here's what I found:
http://www.whatabouthow.com/all-abou...k-body-kit.htm

Generally, fiberglass will fit better and can be repaired if a piece ever becomes damaged. It has a much better finish than urethane, which basically means that the paint will look a lot better on the fiberglass. On the other hand, urethane is much more resistant to soft impacts but can’t be repaired once it is damaged.
Always remember – you get what you pay for. There is the high quality fiberglass resin, and then there is the cheap, more brittle fiberglass.
If you live in an area that has a lot of snow or rough roads, you should select body kits made of urethane. Urethane can sustain a lot more nicks and damage than fiberglass. If your area has smooth roads and decent weather year round, you should go ahead and choose the fiberglass.

Other pieces of info:
With fiberglass, hand laid fiberglass is a lot better than fiberglass shot from a chopper gun. Chopper gin kits will be cheaper in price, but also qaulity too.
A hand laid kit is less brittle, and less wavy than a fiberglass kit shot from a chopper gun. Fiberglass will also be more brittle in cold weather.
Urethane is stronger and won't crack as easy (it's very hard to crack urethane). Fiberglass kits can be molded though, gaps easily filled, cracks repaired, etc.
There is the stuff that will kinda "weld" cracked urethane toghter, but it's tough to work with.
Overall, it's about preference. Fiberglass is easier to mold and easer to repair. Urethane will talk more abuse and is very very hard to crack.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t189133.html

What is the material that our current front fascias are made of?

 

Thanks for the insight, Paras.. Sounds like glass would be the way to go.

 

At this point, I think fiberglass looks like the way to go. We already have enough people signed up to move forward with the development of this fascia if we go with glass, and there are the other benefits mentioned above.

If we do decide to go with fiberglass, would hand laid fiberglass be used?

 

I will ask about what sort of fiberglass will be used and if its "hand laid"...

 

One other positive aspect of fiberglass not yet mentined is that it is easy to cut and splice, IE: to MOD.

Being a relatively stable material, it is much easier to fine tune a final shape. Urethane, as mentioned, needs to be well supported to hold shape. It is hard to mend, and much harder to cut/splice/ add/subtract/ modify. I would consider a urethane item as being basically in final form and never consider changing it. Usually, flexibilizers need to be added to primers and paint, not needed on fiberglass.

Fiberglass is a great medium to work from for further customization. If this is going to be a fiberglass product, I may well get in line too. The overall design concept is coming along very well to my liking. I like the idea of being able to modify the part if I want to, but I may not have to, as it might be just fine! I cant wait to get a look at a real set of photos of a prototype on a car.

 

I like it, but I'll stay on the side lines for now. Eventhough I am more inclined to join in...!!!

 

Of the two vendors that I'm talking to, one has confirmed that its "hand laid" fiber glass.

BTW, I've mentioned some plusses and minuses about fiberglass up top and Fiberglass fanhas mentioned a few things as well (thanks!). It may be the way we go but I don't want anyone to fool themself and be convinced that fiber is better than poly in all respects. Just wanted to make this public service announcement to keep this thread honest...

 

Make that--both vendors will use handlaid fiberglass.

 

Hi-
I'm not yet completely sold. But, I am very interested. Do you have any idea when production will begin, or are you waiting until you come up with minimum number of confirmations before production?
I might become even more interested if there were other angles/views available for viewing. For now, I'll keep


Nelson V.

 

Nelson V., appreciate your interest--yeah, I'm trying to get a minimum number of orders solidified before production (I don't want to front money--I mainly want to put together something I like and something some members like and then go forward).
Still working on pictures too.

 

ttt

 

Looks beautiful, big improvement. I'd like to see what you could do with the big rear end.

 

Good Work and a nice service to forum members. You are not going to retire selling it at that price. You are obviously doing this for the love of the C5 design.

One comment, I own a C3, poly front and back, Bump it just lightly and get paint checks, in the sun to long you get the waves. Can't file it for better fit. In short don't do poly. I am getting the FG kits this summer for my C3 conversion.

If I didn't own a CE edition, I be first in line, good job and I will relay this post to other C5 owners I know!

 

I am interested too, looks awesome!
But I am going to wait until I see actual pics on a car first.