Australian FalconsDiscuss the australian born and bred models here. Includes the 80's 90's and present day Falcons offered by Ford Oz.
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hmmmmmmmmm I'd like to see it on an actual car in the flesh before deciding.
Also cost will be an important factor.
Yeh insurance would also be a factor.
Was there consideration given to perhaps placing two nostrils on the buldge?
:o)
Anyways great to see someone coming up with new things!
I should state up front that I’m not making these. I got involved when the guys that make it saw the website for my car and contacted me to ask my opinion on the product.
Having said that I’ll answer what I can.
XRFPV8 – the standard XR6 bonnet weighs around 24kg. We presume the bulged bonnet weighs a similar amount. A few of these bonnets have been fitted to cars already, but I don’t have any photos at present. I’ll rectify that as soon as I can.
Tibbo – I have no idea about the legalities. I would presume it’s a case of “buyer discretion” much like it is with many other mods people do to their cars. In the case of an accident, and from experience in an accident with a carbon fibre intake and airbox on a previous car, I’m presuming the weakest points would be the area around the various bolt attachments. Airbag sensors are normally in the front bumper area, so primary safety systems shouldn’t be compromised. The upper skin of the bonnet is carbon fibre, the inner skin is reinforced fiberglass. There is no steel in the piece. It is possible to do the ENTIRE bonnet in carbon fibre, but the labour increases cost.
AU1SIXA – There is no problem spraying carbon fibre. It works exactly the same as standard fiberglass in that respect. The better the prep, the better the finish. The bonnets I saw were very well finished when seen in the flesh.
XRSIK – I have no knowledge at this time of plans to produce a CF standard bonnet. I’d presume that they’d like to recoup costs from this one first, and see how well it sells. The public love affair with the Boss bonnet dictates better returns to be made from it I would imagine. As for manufacturing costs, there really isn’t that much difference between the two bonnets, so I can’t really see that there would be any more than a negligible difference.
Ignition – Composites like carbon fibre and fiberglass retain less heat than metal – the reason many cold air intake systems use them even over plastic. The XR8/GT bonnet lacks the sound deadening shield fitted to the standard bonnet, so that would be up to you.
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In general, and with anything like this, personal opinion plays a large part in the process of the buyer. If your biggest worries are insurance hassles or the comments of others then this may not be for you. It is a product that’s going to be made though, and like any mod you consider for your car, will appeal to some and be loathed by others.
One of the reasons for this thread is to hear questions like this and to get the opinions of people who could be considered to be die-hard ford fans as opposed to Mr Joe Public on the street who can’t tell a Falcon from a Commodore, Camry, Magna or any other car for that matter, so please keep them coming. I'll endeavour to get some better answers to the ones where I'm not sure or have no knowledge.
Cheers
Jason
__________________ Editor: Street Fords Magazine - Issue #1 on sale MARCH 2005
E-mail: jr@streetfords.com
Co Founder: 3FB Inc.
To see my old BA Falcon XR6, click HERE
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.
This would be my concern, I am not sure I would buy it for the XR6 simply because of personal opinion regarding putting the bulge on the N/A XR6.
Weight savings and looks certainly sway in the "for" category, but as Shane said, personal opinion regarding the bulge would probably turn me off. And thats all it is, personal opinion! Looks great though, I am impressed!
Any other cars planned?
Cheers... Tim
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EUR04D - Ford Focus
The Blue Flame Mk II Escort RS2000
How much boost?
I can't vote on this cause' I wouldn't change the panels on my XR8 Ute. However, I reckon they look fantastic.... great to see aftermarket stuff for the BA!
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4SALE: BA XR8 Ute - Blueprint, Manual, Sportsbar, XR Mats and Scuff Plates, Herrod Suspension, Window Tints
Like tibbo, I'd be missing the rest of the BA8.
JR, I think the guy needs to confirm the legality - it will keep him out of any potential poo, and encourage / reassure people. Once done, I reckon the orders should flow in fairly quickly. I'd certainly get one if I had a BA 8. I mean, it can be painted, so if you don't like the CF look, paint it, and enjoy the weight and $$$ savings . . .
Looks like a nice piece of work in any case, and I applaud anyone who is doing this kind of thing for Falcons. . . .
Assuming legality . . . any chance of an EL bonnet ?
While I repeat that I don't know what specific law you would be supposed to comply with for a carbon fibre bonnet, can I just point out in general that carbon fibre panels are not illegal. In the extreme, much of the successive Ferrari F40 / F50 / Enzo supercars were made from the stuff and the recently sold in Australia BMW M3 CSL had a carbon fibre ROOF!
SPOON Honda Type R's also came with them as standard, and there are a number of other exotics available that are making extensive use of the stuff both for weight savings and increases in structural rigidity.
I think we're starting to get so paranoid about looking over our shoulders for Big Brother that we're taking the fun and excitement out of modifying our cars.
__________________ Editor: Street Fords Magazine - Issue #1 on sale MARCH 2005
E-mail: jr@streetfords.com
Co Founder: 3FB Inc.
To see my old BA Falcon XR6, click HERE
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