Gauging Interest: Carbon Roof Skin

[krayzkrn]

I've spoken via email with Todd @ Helion Composites about producing a complete carbon roof skin for the E30 chassis. I first ran across his work from the classic 911 community where he is producing carbon fiber roofs and carbon fiber targa tops. Perfect for you track/race car or crazy street car. Can be bonded or blended in.

We would need to arrange, at minimum, 12 pre-paid buyers at approximately $550 not including freight.

Please check out the the photos below and shoot me a PM if you are interested.

Check out his website http://www.helioncomposites.com/

- Brian






Interior side weave

Fiberglass

[stonea]

You've peaked my interests. If it can be blended in and you keep the $550 price tag.

[2mAn]

Why not carbon fiber hoods first?

[evil_twin]

How does it mount?

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[BraveUlysses]

Why not carbon fiber hoods first?

Probably because there are other companies offering CF hoods for our cars.

How much do these weigh? Bonded in or riveted?

[nando]

Probably because there are other companies offering CF hoods for our cars.

How much do these weigh? Bonded in or riveted?

there are?

the ebay ones were pretty much crap (heavy, poor fitment). The nice quality ones haven't been in production for a long ass time (MA Shaw). Who else makes them?

I always wanted a functional CF sunroof panel. Somebody made them a long, long time ago but the run was pretty limited and they are long gone. I had a fiberglass one but it was just too flimsy to look good.

[BraveUlysses]

there are?

the ebay ones were pretty much crap (heavy, poor fitment). The nice quality ones haven't been in production for a long ass time (MA Shaw). Who else makes them?

I always wanted a functional CF sunroof panel. Somebody made them a long, long time ago but the run was pretty limited and they are long gone. I had a fiberglass one but it was just too flimsy to look good.

Nobody makes them any more? Bummer. I guess ESM probably does but those are fiberglass with 1 layer of CF for appearance.

I found a company that makes CF sunroof panels for BMWs but they can't even be arsed to send me a pic of their product

I guess this means I need to get myself into the carbon fiber business, cause making sunroof panels is easy peasy.

[nando]

it's not as easy you think. The sunroof panel isn't flat for one - it's curved. Then you need all the bracing, mounts, and to make it not shrink so much during curing that it doesn't seal anymore.

a couple years ago there was a place that does mostly high end porsches and stuff that still made E30 hoods, but they were even more expensive than MA Shaw was - around $1500 iirc. ESM is shit but you know that. :)

[chondamx]

I am 100% in--assuming pricing and quality remain the same.

[toddc]

Hi This is Todd from Helion Composites,
Thanks to Brian for generating interest and getting this kicked off. Please keep in contact with him regarding interest as he is the organizer.

I'm happy to answer questions regarding the process, installation, etc.

Bear with me, I don't check the forum very often but I'm happy to answer technical questions at todd@helioncomposites.com

Best regards,
Todd Candey
Helion Composites, LLC

https://www.helioncomposites.com

[krayzkrn]

You've peaked my interests. If it can be blended in and you keep the $550 price tag.

Blending is something I would leave to a professional body shop but it is possible.

How does it mount?

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Most people cut away the steel roof and leave a 1-2inch border and bond with high-strength automotive bond.

Probably because there are other companies offering CF hoods for our cars.

How much do these weigh? Bonded in or riveted?

Email todd@helioncomposites.com for a more accurate weight estimate and technical details. My guess is a little over 6lb's.
Bonded or riveted. It's really up to you or your body shop.

I am 100% in--assuming pricing and quality remain the same.

Fantastic, need more committed buyers!

[kingston]

Count me as #2, assuming that this would work on a 4-door E30...

[JMPAuto]

We have it on our old race car. Made by DTM Fiberwerkz. I didn't cut the entire roof and just used it to cover the sunroof hole. You can still order it from them but I would recommend ordering a thicker panel if you are trying to delete the whole roof. The one we had is only 8 pounds, about the same weight as the stock sunroof skin.

[Kershaw]

Why not carbon fiber hoods first?

Get out of here Culver City. Tons of CF stuff available to you locally.

There is nothing available to us locally on the east coast, only shipped from LA. I would like to see carbon fiber hoods, trunks, and bolt in sunroof panels.

[17sd]

Functional sunroof to replace the original metal part would be cool.