Carbon Fiber Valve Cover - Poll

[1995GSTEclipse]

I was wondering what fellow DSM'ers would be willing to pay for a FULL Carbon Fiber 16v DOHC 4G63 valve cover and NOT a skin for over the old cover!

 

[stevestevesteve]

what!?!?!?!

WTF

 

[djmixerx]

I would rather have a clear one that u can see through like the timing belt side. That would be tight.

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

I would rather have a clear one that u can see through like the timing belt side. That would be tight.

I thought of that at first also but with the oil slinging around, it would be almost impossible to see through it anyways.

 

[spooln4fun]

Wouldn't this be prone to cracking due to all the heat that is in there?

 

[djmixerx]

Still would be tight to see though. If your oil is clean u can see through it.

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

Wouldn't this be prone to cracking due to all the heat that is in there?

The high temp resin I am using can withstand temps of over 320F. I think that will be OK.

 

[snowborder714]

Keep in mind to sell something on here you have to be a supporting vendor.

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

Keep in mind to sell something on here you have to be a supporting vendor.

I understand that. I was just trying to get an idea of what people would pay IF the item was available. Just for my calculations on expenses and such.

 

[Fabian]

I'd have to see what it looked like of course. But I wouldnt see why people WOULDNT wanna buy that. Especially if you could prove that it stood the heat test and all that. ALSO since we have such big problems with cracking valve covers by overtightening the bolts and stuff it'd have to withstand that too. I cant imagine carbon fiber being a valve cover though. It wouldnt be a bad idea to make an actual COVER for the valve cover out of carbon fiber though. I just dont know how someone would make it fit...

 

[black_gst]

it would be cool but i think you would run into design/fitment issues.. me and a friend were just talking about this idea last week... also the inside would have to be sealed completely so oil couldent get through which i was thinking could be done with a gel coat but what if it started flaking off and getting into you oil

but a clear acrylic one would be awesome!

just my .02

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

I'd have to see what it looked like of course. But I wouldnt see why people WOULDNT wanna buy that. Especially if you could prove that it stood the heat test and all that. ALSO since we have such big problems with cracking valve covers by overtightening the bolts and stuff it'd have to withstand that too. I cant imagine carbon fiber being a valve cover though. It wouldnt be a bad idea to make an actual COVER for the valve cover out of carbon fiber though. I just dont know how someone would make it fit...

The carbon fiber would be lighter AND stronger than the aluminum valve cover. I have had my share of cracked VC's from previous owners thinking they need to make the inside bolts gorilla tight. In fact, the inside bolts only need to be a little over hand tight. The resin I use is industrial strength and can withstand heat 320F and over. I might just start with a cover overlay (bolted on top of the VC itself) to see how that works.

This idea is a good one for weight reduction. Total weight would be like a 10th of original VC. I made a bicycle frame that weighed a little over 1lb!! So just imagine what can be benefited as far as weight reduction from these pieces. I am making a vacuum form station right now and the pieces I would make should be the same, if not better than the original.

I was also thinking on if I should make them "smoothies" or have the detail of the originals ie: 16v DOHC 2000.

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

it would be cool but i think you would run into design/fitment issues.. me and a friend were just talking about this idea last week... also the inside would have to be sealed completely so oil couldent get through which i was thinking could be done with a gel coat but what if it started flaking off and getting into you oil

but a clear acrylic one would be awesome!

just my .02

Looks like that car can drift real good, especially around right turns.. j/k. When you make a mold with a vacuum form, it is within specs and tolorences that the fitment would not be an issue. I dont think the seal and flaking would be an issue either. I will test it on my car (running 23psi on low and 30+psi on high boost) and other "donors" before actually selling to fellow DSM'ers. Hondas have these already and I have not heard bad reports about this issue.

 

[black_gst]

Looks like that car can drift real good, especially around right turns.. j/k. When you make a mold with a vacuum form, it is within specs and tolorences that the fitment would not be an issue. I dont think the seal and flaking would be an issue either. I will test it on my car (running 23psi on low and 30+psi on high boost) and other "donors" before actually selling to fellow DSM'ers. Hondas have these already and I have not heard bad reports about this issue.

right turns are no problem it was that hair pin left that got me!

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

right turns are no problem it was that hair pin left that got me!

Is that car still around or parted out?

 

[B00stedgst]

make one so we can see

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

make one so we can see

Smoothie or Stock form? Or maybe a smoothie with raised "SICK DSM" letters.

 

[324vr4]

How thick would they be...You state they would save weight?! haha, the 3 pounds of Aluminum used for the OE VC doesn't seem amazing for weight savings...however CF does have better thermal properties than Al so I'd assume it great for that...not flaming...just trying to understand how it would look and benefit...

You should also try fashioning a boost capable CF intake manifold...since your elbows deep in the resin already

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

How thick would they be...You state they would save weight?! haha, the 3 pounds of Aluminum used for the OE VC doesn't seem amazing for weight savings...however CF does have better thermal properties than Al so I'd assume it great for that...not flaming...just trying to understand how it would look and benefit...

You should also try fashioning a boost capable CF intake manifold...since your elbows deep in the resin already

I have already made upper and lower IC piping. I will post pics soon! I am trying to make as much carbon fiber parts as possible for weight reduction. Nice thing about CF is that it comes in a few colors, Bad thing is that it is not really cheap!

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

post some pictures of your work.

 

[1995GSTEclipse]

post some pictures of your work.

I will get them up shortly! I am designing a vacuum forming table right now to make the molds for the CF pieces.

 

[97gst_spyder]

I'd buy one, as long as there tested to last and not crack/melt/or something like that.

 

[hubz91talontsi]

They make these for v8's and such. So not a doubt in my mind that it wouldn't last. For the right price ill run them on both my cars

 

[Project2G]

My buddy has had his for a little over 2 years with no issues. This is a honda not a DSM. I have thought about getting one made with my shaved valve cover. If I do so I will post up pictures.

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[AndrewD5418]

I think they'd look nice "shaved" or with the mitsu emblem and "Mitsubishi".