had an idea, would like an opinion - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

jackal264 · 03-02-2008, 04:59 AM

so as every one know fiberglass cracks really easily. now i was thinking what if i layed a sheet of carbon fiber over the lower lip of my front bumper? would that help prevent cracking?

i'm thinking more in terms of like clipping a cone at the track not like accident.

would having that carbon fiber at the bottom allow the lip to take a couple cone hits?

nosanhere · 03-02-2008, 05:27 AM

Carbon has the highest strength by far compared to glass and kevlar so it may be helpful. For instance if you made something with 5.7oz carbon it would be stronger than if you used 10oz glass.

***S14DB*** · 03-02-2008, 06:08 AM

The fiber doesn't crack the resin does. Then the fiber sheers. This is why products like FRP was invented. When the resin is flexible the fiber can flex.

Bumper is not a structural piece. It needs some flex to avoid impact damage. This is why stock parts are made of urethane.

Only 2 solutions are to go with a more flexible part or to put a metal bash strip on the bottom.

jackal264 · 03-02-2008, 02:29 PM

would you put the bash strip only on the bottom of the front lip or make it to cover the whole lip?

also i'm a little confused how the metal bash strip would be different then the carbon fiber?

wouldn't the carbon provide the frp with more tensile strength which would prevent the glass from shearing if the resin were to crack?

also i'm a little confused. i'm running a cersion select bumper would that make it just fibergass or fiber reinforced plastic (frp)

Kouki · 03-02-2008, 06:03 PM

If you're not concerned with cracks in the resin, and your main goal is to help it from getting chunks ripped off, just spray some expanding foam inside the lower part of the bumper, its light, and will help "keep the bumper together" if you hit something.

burnsauto · 03-02-2008, 06:07 PM

at the track you're at, is is required that you have a front bumper? if not..just take it off for track time.

03-02-2008, 04:59 AM	#1
jackal264 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: vancouver, canada Age: 39 Posts: 360 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	had an idea, would like an opinion so as every one know fiberglass cracks really easily. now i was thinking what if i layed a sheet of carbon fiber over the lower lip of my front bumper? would that help prevent cracking? i'm thinking more in terms of like clipping a cone at the track not like accident. would having that carbon fiber at the bottom allow the lip to take a couple cone hits?

03-02-2008, 06:08 AM	#3
*S14DB* AFC #1 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 昨晩あなたのお母さんの家 Posts: 20,181 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	The fiber doesn't crack the resin does. Then the fiber sheers. This is why products like FRP was invented. When the resin is flexible the fiber can flex. Bumper is not a structural piece. It needs some flex to avoid impact damage. This is why stock parts are made of urethane. Only 2 solutions are to go with a more flexible part or to put a metal bash strip on the bottom. __________________ Comments should be taken as Opinions not as Statements of Fact

03-02-2008, 06:07 PM	#6
burnsauto Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 717, PA Age: 39 Posts: 3,324 Trader Rating: (6) Rides Gallery: burnsauto Feedback Score: 6 reviews	at the track you're at, is is required that you have a front bumper? if not..just take it off for track time. __________________

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03-02-2008, 05:27 AM	#2
nosanhere Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 49 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Carbon has the highest strength by far compared to glass and kevlar so it may be helpful. For instance if you made something with 5.7oz carbon it would be stronger than if you used 10oz glass.

03-02-2008, 02:29 PM	#4
jackal264 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: vancouver, canada Age: 39 Posts: 360 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	would you put the bash strip only on the bottom of the front lip or make it to cover the whole lip? also i'm a little confused how the metal bash strip would be different then the carbon fiber? wouldn't the carbon provide the frp with more tensile strength which would prevent the glass from shearing if the resin were to crack? also i'm a little confused. i'm running a cersion select bumper would that make it just fibergass or fiber reinforced plastic (frp)

03-02-2008, 06:03 PM	#5
Kouki Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nebraska Age: 40 Posts: 727 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	If you're not concerned with cracks in the resin, and your main goal is to help it from getting chunks ripped off, just spray some expanding foam inside the lower part of the bumper, its light, and will help "keep the bumper together" if you hit something.