Need Advice

[JBH]

As some of you know, my Superlight suffered significant damage as a result of an off track excursion. The frame is bent, steering rack bent, radiator dislodged, etc. All of that can be rebuilt, but the question is whether to replace all the carbon fiber components (fenders and nose) or just use fiberglass

 

Difference in price is $2500 for CF vs. $700 for Fiberglas. Although the nose was painted body color, all the other CF components were left unpainted. That's the way the car was built in 2002.

 

I think I want to keep the car somewhat original (a removable cage being the only modification heretofore), but I am interested in your thoughts and suggestions. Do you think the value of the car is compromised by using FG? The rational me thinks, it's a track car, so who cares, but the emotional me thinks it is a special car that should maintained as it was built.

 

I believe Karl may have some insight on this having faced somewhat the same predicament.

Edited April 2, 2013 by JBH

[yellowss7]

Jeff, when I saw your car at George's, I cringed when I thought about the cost of replacing all that carbon. The Fiberglass is certainly a good choice for the track. Only prettyboys like Karl and Mike like to display all that naked carbon. :rofl::rofl::rofl:. Go with the FG and if you decide you want to restore it back to the original look, sell off the FG and buy the carbon. That way it will be fresh and pretty. :rofl: Get R done!!!

 

Tom

[jlumba81]

caterham uk now sell abs fenders, so those are an option too.

[MHKflyer52]

If its a track car you most likely will be fixing some body part down the road so I would suggest the fiberglass and as Tom said if at a later time you decide to make it original then replace it at that time with the CF stuff.

By the way if the CF stuff is not painted it tends to degrade in sun light and gets brittle and looses some of its strength to my limited knowledge and testing we have done at my work.

[JBH]

You make a good point about the carbon fiber though I think the new wings tend to standup better. That said, I could see fading and loss of luster over time in a replacement fender in the rear. The front wings were covered with the 3M protective film when the car was built in 2002 and they looked brand new (until the crash).

 

If I go with CF, I'll definitely cover with film

[Kitcat]

JBH: You are such an experienced, steady hand at the track, what happened?

 

Apart from this hi-jack, go cheap and save big $ when/if the next "OFF" occurs. And if you sell, as others have noted, then go high end on CF.

[rikker]

JBH: You are such an experienced, steady hand at the track, what happened?

 

Apart from this hi-jack, go cheap and save big $ when/if the next "OFF" occurs. And if you sell, as others have noted, then go high end on CF.

 

just a guess.

[JBH]

It was my GF that went off course. Fortunately, she was not hurt. I am pretty surprised the car let go like that - it has been my experience that spins occur in a pretty tight circle. I don't think I have ever had all four wheels off. Anyway...

 

I think the ABS/Fiberglass is the way to go though that decision is not based on an expectation of any further damage to the car. Thanks for your advice.

[Croc]

It was my GF that went off course. Fortunately, she was not hurt. I am pretty surprised the car let go like that - it has been my experience that spins occur in a pretty tight circle.

 

Jeff - In some fairness to Mary, the outside of turn 5, particularly at exit was covered in that white pwder from where the oil/coolant let go on the Evora earlier that day. If you had an early apex plus a compromised track surface and therefore marginal grip at the exit then the rear will rotate and car exits stage left.

 

 

I don't think I have ever had all four wheels off. Anyway...

 

Show-off!!! :jester:

[JBH]

I don't blame Mary at all - it happens. If you look at the tire marks on that turn, many other people have experienced the same dynamics.

 

Show-off!!! :jester:

 

Only in the Caterham. I have been off course many times in other cars. Did you see my first lap (actually 2nd turn) at the last NJMP event in the Boxster ? Under yellow flag no less.

Edited April 3, 2013 by JBH

[Klasik-69]

Last year I ripped off the left rear fender when I got a little too chummy with a cone at Talladega. After I called Caterham to see what that little itty bitty piece of CF cost ($600), I decided I would rebuild it in fiberglass. It was is about 5 or 6 pieces, hardly looked like a fender. When I got done, I repainted both sides even though only the left one got tore up. I compared the weight of the two, right one in CF and the left one all glassed up with fiberglass on the inside, it was hard to really notice that much difference. I doubt if the whole car would vary by more than 40 lbs one way or the other.

 

Perhaps some of the body parts you're thinking of replacing can be fixed. It takes time and patience but the nice thing about CF and fiberglass is they don't bend, they break. So putting things back together is a matter of taping the outside, glassing the inside. It may save you a good bit of money.