need some opinions aluminium instead of carbon

[vtr_chris90]

right then, i dont know what to think about this it seems a good idea but i cant seem to think what it would look like as ive not really seen this done on a saxo

basically you know how people replace alot of interior with carbon, like doorcards and ive even seen a dash done (or may have been carbon film) but anyway, what about using polished aluminium sheets instead, you know how they use them in kitcars etc would that look good? also could be a wieght saver too plus i would have thought it would be cheaper than carbon fibre

this could be a bit etreme but what about replacing dash board in it too? as i know some one who does this sort of work and he is amazing, hes meade my dad loads of stuff for his kitcar, like petrol tank, battery holder, spoiler, heaterblower box, erm bonnet hinges loads of other stuff, but just want to know what it would look like wether it would look anygood?

i know its bit extreme but could be a real weight saver too

so whats people thoughts on using polished aluminium instead of carbon? could a saxo pull it off or is it only for kitcars lol

[VTEC-Saxo]

would be sweet to see that done mate :D

[infinitym4ge]

to get done properly would probably cost more than the car as its a big job. 99% of the carbon ones are just film.

[Prickle]

Could look good :)

[VTEC-Saxo]

to get done properly would probably cost more than the car as its a big job. 99% of the carbon ones are just film.

What so its gona cost him 2k plus to have some bitsa metal shaped... good one

[vtr_chris90]

yer i am unsure about dash cause i think that could get expensive but the other things would be next to nothing cause like i said i know someone who does this as a profession and made all my dads stuff for next to nothing, but i may look into the dash, i dont think it would be that bad cost wise, would take a while, but my dads mate wouldnt mind he likes bit of a challenge lol

[vtr_chris90]

it wouldnt be 2k, all i may have to do is pay for the sheets it wouldnt be that much
labour is free

[VTEC-Saxo]

i think it would be a bit urm noisy / rattly tho lol

[vtr_chris90]

yer that is the downside i did just think of that, but im sure the noise of the exhaust will drone it out lol once i get the piper backbox fitted should be a bit louder than the supersprint i think lol

but what about weight you think it would save much on weight?

[VTEC-Saxo]

not sure tbh could imagen it being quite heavy if it was made exacly the same, if you made a totaly custom dash that would be awesome

[Anthony]

If you had a sheet of aluminum and carbon fiber which would be lightest btw?

Because i think aluminum would be a cheap alternative for door cards instead of carbon.

[VTEC-Saxo]

the carbon would be lighter but i think its over used tbh

[vtr_chris90]

not sure tbh could imagen it being quite heavy if it was made exacly the same, if you made a totaly custom dash that would be awesome

noo it would be completly custom, if it was done the same it would get very heavy and very complicated
this would purely be a custom job, it would have a lot of edges lol but it would look different and thinking about it i dont think it could be that hard if you know what you are doing, still would take a while
but i would have thought it would be worth it just got to figure out how i would do the dials and centre console
spose i could use a square one from a 106 or 205 or somthing like that

[vtr_chris90]

the carbon would be lighter but i think its over used tbh


yer it would be lighter but for the extra cost carbon is, is it really worth it, yer it might look quality but if you want to save weight and not spend alot of money i think aluminum sheets could be a good idea, and i agree with you vtec-saxo i think it is well over used for pointless things, i spose they need covering but is it really worth spending alot on the carbon like the glovebox cover i must admit it looks good but i think its a waste of money personally, others may not agree but thats just my opinion i can think on other things to use the moey for towards the car, things like carbon boot or bonnet and larger things like that may be worth it, i mean i wouldnt mind a carbon bonnet but just cant afford it lol

[vtr_chris90]

If you had a sheet of aluminum and carbon fiber which would be lightest btw?

Because i think aluminum would be a cheap alternative for door cards instead of carbon.

but yes aluminium would def be a cheaper option, might not be as light but certainly still a weight saver i would have thought

[rushy_23]

Carbon Fibre will be far lighter than aluminium. Aluminium is a weak metal also.

Thing is, remember aluminium is a metal. I dont know about you guys but I wouldnt really
want metal doorcards or dashboards lol!

Aluminium exterior panels on the other had may be a good idea, but the amount of work
requried for minimal weight loss over the standard panels isnt worth the bother.

[VTEC-Saxo]

Carbon Fibre will be far lighter than aluminium. Aluminium is a weak metal also.

Thing is, remember aluminium is a metal. I dont know about you guys but I wouldnt really
want metal doorcards or dashboards lol!

Aluminium exterior panels on the other had may be a good idea, but the amount of work
requried for minimal weight loss over the standard panels isnt worth the bother.
would be making the interia stronger than those good old saxo shells :P

[rushy_23]

Aluminium is weaker than steel!

[shaunyboy]

Wouldent like to hit an metal dashboard in the event of a crash

[VTEC-Saxo]

fibre glass ftw, make a light wood frame of the original dash cover it in some light cotton material and fiberglass it

[shaunyboy]

fibre glass ftw, make a light wood frame of the original dash cover it in some light cotton material and fiberglass it

Or just leave it standard :geek:

[VTEC-Saxo]

Or just leave it standard :geek:

Or not because thats not what hes asking :S why post somthing stupid like that in a thead wanting opnions and sugesting other materials..

[EwynSaxo]

lol this is a insane mod
cause it wouldnt be practical in a crash
and it would make alot of noise
if you drive about at night alot its not gonna bring in warmth
but on the other hand i've never seen it done on a saxo
i think it can be pulled off if it was custom

[stevo67]

I think its a good idea but what about in the summer months that dash is going to be red hot.

Steve.

[CHIP]

As already said. If you have a crash a aluminium dash is going to hurt... i wouldnt be suprised if it's somehow illegal. As for the doorcards, yea it would be different. But CF would be lighter. Personally i'd probably just stick with CF.

[vtr_chris90]

thanks for all the opinions guys
some good info, it was just a little idea i had, and wanted to kknow if either someoneelse had maybe done it or if it would be ok, but some of the things you have come up with i hadnt really thought of like if the car was in a crash i dnt think the dash would cope too much lol

but i think the door cards could pull it off, but its just getting round to doing it lol, ive got other things i want to do the the sax first lol before i start experimenting lol

but i think the dash may have been taking it a little too far lol but ohwell, or like what vtec-saxo said what about fibreglass, if you used the origional dash for the mould to make a thin coat then start thickening it up from under the thin coat so you dont make it any lager than origional dash if you get me, would fibreglass be aby good?