General Chat
Q:
I wasn't expecting much from a $189.95 carbon fiber BRE lip, but the product MSA carries is appalling. It's just a clear plastic mold with a single sheet of carbon fiber glued on to the inside. On the BRE lip's curvatures, the individual strands of carbon fiber is spread open to reveal open spaces in the clear plastic mold.
The BRE rear spoiler for $249.95 was made the same way. However, the rear spoiler has less sharp curves than the front lip so the single sheet of carbon fiber does not unwind and open up spaces--that you can see through!
Usually, real carbon fiber body pieces cost ten times as much as these MSA ones. You really can't complain. I'm just pointing out that you should not expect anything more than what you pay. I don't even want to see how their carbon fiber hoods look like!
These aren't the 3-7 layer of carbon fiber that is vacuum molded and baked in the oven. It's a clear plastic mold that is used to display a SINGLE sheet of carbon fiber glued to the inside.
That being said, I might buy these MSA pieces to replace my old urethane front lip. These "carbon fiber" bits are cheap and you can get away without painting them. Plus, I know I'll end up damaging front lips anyways.
1971 240Z
"Fear is exciting for me." -Ayrton Senna
A:
Yes, they are built as cheap as possible to sell as many as possible.
Almost any of the body pieces will require significant fitting for them to fit.
Most of the molds used to produce these are 15 or 20 years old and have worn significantly.
However, I do know the molds used for MSA's new carbon fiber products are new, but the number of carbon fiber layers is uselessly low.
I'm buying mine from Les Cannady at:
http://www.classicdatsun.com
And I'm having mine made with several layers of CF to prevent the problem you described.
72 WooHoo!! In good shape too...
72 Rolling Chassis (RB or LS1?)
80 NA SCCA ST2/CP (Car + Tree = Dead)
82 NA 3.0L the rust monster got it
82 ZXT 3.1L, 25psi! Hit in the right rear. ;(
83 parts car
92 TT Sold! ;(
02 Looking for an '03 made in '02
Post Edited (Jan 4, 9:54pm)
A:
I'm sending my CF ZG flares and CF Bre rear deck spoiler right back to MSA tomorrow.
They finally came in the mail yesterday and I couldn't belive the shotty workmanship.
I promply called in for a RMA# to return them.... I will just go with the reg fiberglass pieces.
http://www.putfile.com/rb26powered74zcar/images/38187
A:
We've bought carbon fiber bits and pieces for our race cars before. A GT spoiler costs about $3000. Other pieces such as fenders, roofs, etc. ran from $1500-6000. These are REAL carbon fiber body parts made from custom cut multiple layers that are vacuum molded and baked to harden in a pressurised oven. I don't think too many Z car owners would put $3000 pieces of expensive textile on their car.
The MSA products are nothing more than cheap knockoffs that have ZERO the function of carbon fiber. Just buy them as a crude temporary or dispensible part.
If you're buying them, go to the store in person to check it out for yourself. If the one you see is "defective" then ask for another one until you find the best one they have.
1971 240Z
"Fear is exciting for me." -Ayrton Senna
A:
Z Draci is right. The VAST majority of 'Carbon Fiber' body parts are usually a layer of 'low thread count' CF laid over a fiberglass part to give the 'appearance' of carbon fiber.
REAL carbon fiber body panels are ALL CF and as he says, cost a crap load more because of the cost of the material. With the number of CF layers in the racing parts, you could make dozens of fiberglass parts with a single layer of CF for the 'look'.
The reason I'm ordering mine from Les at: http://www.classicdatsun.com, is because I'm making a custom order and paying a lot more to get a lot more CF on mine. Even though it will still have a fiberglass base, with several layers of CF they won't have any of the gaps you saw on the MSA part.
72 WooHoo!! In good shape too...
72 Rolling Chassis (RB or LS1?)
80 NA SCCA ST2/CP (Car + Tree = Dead)
82 NA 3.0L the rust monster got it
82 ZXT 3.1L, 25psi! Hit in the right rear. ;(
83 parts car
92 TT Sold! ;(
02 Looking for an '03 made in '02