patentcad

I want to upgrade the dash on my C7 to carbon fiber. I'm seeing a $459 unit called 'hydro formed' and a $600 ish part that's purported to be 'real carbon fiber', both seem to be GM parts, but I'm not 100% sure. This from a number of vendors.

Do these look very different in person?

Goldcylon

Real Carbon fiber vs. Hydro carbon are a night and day comparison. Its hard to described but the real carbon fiber has a depth in look to it that cant be fully captured in a printed and wrapped product

Rooster OG

Hydro is probably dipped. Those look pretty good if they're done well. They all use the oem dash to start, whether it's dipped or has the carbon laminated onto it.

tcinla

http://www.fibreglast.com/product/ab...earning_Center

http://www.sollercomposites.com/fabricstechniques.html

Goldcylon

Hydrocarbon IS dipped. Its a printed material bonded to the part

Here is actual carbon fiber which I upgraded my interior with







[URL=http://s1120.photobucket.com/user/goldcylon/media/CF-Wheel3_zpsfa20d627.jpg.html]

Goldcylon

See the depth in the product? You don't get that in a dipped hydrocarbon product. The orange script floats above the real hydro carbon.



[IMG]

Zymurgy

The real OEM carbon fiber dash is NOT hydro formed (hydrographic).

Goldcylon

Correct it is overlaid, bonded, polished, cleared and polished again

patentcad

Thanks, exactly the feedback I needed.

Ordered the real cf gm dash insert from Corvette Mods.

https://www.corvettemods.com/C7-Corv...FddWDQod4rEFyw

Clear matte finish of course. Glossy CF is for pimp daddies.

GregC6

Are you going to change the bottom steering wheel spoke to match?

ShahulX

do you need to remove the steering wheel to install?

patentcad

Never.

Not my problem, my local body shop dude yawned when I asked him if he could do it, he can do anything like that and he's cheap and very good.

ArnoldZO6

I went ahead and did the $600 matte carbon dash from the dealer.
There is a thread on how to do it on here, the steering wheel did not come off, just lowered to the lowest position. everything was real smooth. Took me about 2 hours

Goldcylon

Keep your pimp hand strong.

patentcad

I really can't stand glossy cf, stripes, etc. Look the C7's styling is already borderline cartoony, it's already on the friggin ledge, anything from GS stripes to an over flashy steering wheel push it right off. I like the styling, but the last thing a Corvette needs is more glitz.

Hey whatEVER. Nobody is ever going to accuse a lot of Corvette owners of having great taste, it just goes with the territory like the AARP stigma. I'll get the car the way I like it and ignore the white noise.

I love Porsche quality, handling and elegance, and I guess I could afford a Cayman S. But I don't think I'd own one of those over a C7. I drove a 718 Cayman S, I did love it. But I don't think it was aa much of a total thrill ride as my Stingray. I've been getting on this car for the first time the last few weeks, and when I do, MAN that car is too much fun.

Oh yeah, I was up in Harlem (NYC) the other day with the car, and I must have gotten an approving grin and thumbs up @ every traffic light. People LOVED the car. What could be a cooler stamp of hip approval than that? Maybe white men can't jump, but the C7 can.

Rooster OG

Gmpartsdirect has it for $70 cheaper:

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/chevrol...e=cluster-trim

patentcad

They would sell more parts if they made it more clear exactly what they were selling. The existence of a fake 'hydro' part that looks similar is really quite confusing.

Rooster OG

They only sell oem parts.

capecodvette

Just a general observation. I enjoy your posts, interesting with a touch of humor

patentcad

Vendors do claim the hydro dash is OEM but I get the feeling it's a plain gray dash that was dipped. So they can say it's 'OEM' even if strictly speaking maybe GM would never sell that.

C O N F U S I N G