BA carbon fibre bonnet & more... - Ford Forums

JR · 01-27-2004, 04:58

I�ve recently had the opportunity to become involved in a project that I think some of you may be interested in.

I should state up front that I suppose this should be construed as a form of market research, but I spoke to Russell and he feels it allowable within the TOC as long as I don�t get too specific about certain things.

Anyway, A friend is in the early stages of producing a number of BA Falcon parts for the aftermarket. The most interesting of these, for a number of reasons, is the carbon fibre BA XR8/GT bonnet (see photos attached at bottom of post).

I�m sure a number of forums V8 purists will lose their heads and immediately scream RICE, but before you do, I�d like you to consider two points...

A major issue with the BA is weight. What would you say if you knew this bonnet was both stronger than the OEM steel bonnet, and also 55% lighter? Furthermore, what would you say if you found out it was 25% cheaper to buy than the equivalent OEM steel item?

The GT rear wing is also stronger, but will be roughly 55% cheaper than the outrageous OEM price from FPV.

I don�t say this because I�m trying to make a sales pitch, I say this to try and get some of you to think a bit before you post a reply.

Obviously, there will be non-XR8/GT buyers lining up to purchase this stuff. Supply and demand dictates this will happen no matter what you or I think, and screaming RICE isn�t going to stop it.

But there are those of you out there with XR8�s and GT�s spending a lot of money to make your cars faster with engine mods, but weight reduction is another avenue to explore. Some of you have gone to lightweight alloys; Pursuit owners have removed hardtops. So saving 55% (in reality nearly 15Kg) on the weight of probably the largest single panel on the car helps, and I suppose it could possibly even lower the cars� centre of gravity slightly.

The cost of OEM replacement parts in another matter worth mentioning again. FPV have set incredibly high prices to discourage people from buying these parts to stick on their non FPV vehicles, but this effects genuine FPV owners should the have an accident and need repairs (or for that matter should they just wish to preserve the originality of their factory parts.

Apart from the bonnet and rear spoilers, a GT front bar is in the works at present (and you can bet this will be a LOT cheaper than the 2K+ price of the OEM front bar), and other parts will follow.

So I�d like people to post their comments and answer the appropriate poll questions placed at the top of this thread.

Cheers
Jason

BA carbon fibre XR8/GT bonnet:

Bonnet inner:

Unpainted:

A closer look:

Pursuit wing:

Fordhead · 01-27-2004, 05:14

I would buy a bonnet for weight saving measures , no doubt about it.
The purist in me says not to buy an FPV front bumper , but I don't reckon I could say no , as they look too darn good .
Judging by the pictures , you sure have done a bloody good job .

XRFPV8 · 01-27-2004, 05:20

would like to see picture with the bonnet on the car start with phantom please lol..
how much does a ba buldged bonnet weigh?

CSV_LS1 · 01-27-2004, 05:26

I think the bonnets are fantastic, though i dont think the carbon fibre pattern will look good on a car. Would be a good thing to shed off those extra kilos and help offset the lard of the Boss.

RaceCraft · 01-27-2004, 05:46

I have a few questions:
(excuse my ignorance, i have no idea and are curious)
Is carbon fibre o.k as far as legalities/insurance go? I thought it was one of those 'not for street use' type of products
What about the pre-designed crumple zones? If it is stronger would that not end up in more possible damage if (heaven forbid) you had an whoopsy.
Is it just the outer-skin of the bonnet that is cf with the reinforcing still steel or the whole lot?
A steel BA bonnet weighs in at 27kgs?
Very interesting indeed, i must say they look as good as an OEM bonnet,, I'll be very keen to check the poll in a day or two

AU1SIXA · 01-27-2004, 05:51

Would it be possible to spray the carbon fibre bonnets the colour of the car. I like the bonnet buldge with the carbon fibre. But the whole bonnet in carbon fibre IMHO would look a little out of place. Buts its fantastic work. Its sensational worksmanship.

MaD_WoG · 01-27-2004, 05:59

should be able to spary them in the colour of your car...
i remember readign about the ferrari f 40's and the "crappy" paint jobs on them but all it was the pattern of the carbon fiber going throught the paint.....

XRSIK · 01-27-2004, 13:39

ive been looking 4 any weight saving measures so i would be very interested.
two points though:

1)as someone stated is this legal? ie structural integrety of the car?
2) are you designing any without a bulge - then i could buy one without it being rice purley for weight saving reasons - surley this would be cheaper than manufacturing the bulge?

!Gn|T|0n · 01-27-2004, 15:13

Does the bonnet need to exhibit heat dispersion properties? Are you incorporating sound deadening? On initial glance I think it's a good idea but would need to be priced lower than the going $/kw rate for me to seriously consider it. As tibbo mentioned also, my first thoughts were along the lines of insurance and legalities.

shane3 · 01-27-2004, 16:33

The parts look fantastic, but what adout us, the XR6 owners will there be any thing done without a bulge ? I know that you can get a bonnet with a shaker attachment but unless you have an XR6T its pretty wanky.