| Author | Message | ||
| Chris Coffing (Valence)
Junior Member Username: Valence Post Number: 81 Registered: 3-2003 |
Tim, lenghtening the tips is no problem. The first version is intended for those who want the stock size. We can do custom sizes - longer upshift padde, downshift paddle, or both, however long you want. | ||
| Tim G. (Tim)
Member Username: Tim Post Number: 257 Registered: 3-2002 |
do you have them with 2-3" longer tips so you can actually use them when in a corner? the ones on the Stradale are now that way. do you have plans to lengthen them. I'm a little more into function than look, especially for $600. thanks, | ||
| Chris Coffing (Valence)
Junior Member Username: Valence Post Number: 79 Registered: 3-2003 |
Ben, these are solid, no core. Toray is indeed the original carbon supplier. Regarding surface quality, it's partly a byproduct of the manufacturing technique, and partly due to the use of clear-coat, but a lot of it's just care and experience and a few proprietary techniques that I've developed over the last 10 years or so. Taek-ho: Warping usually occurs because of matrix (resin) shrinkage. Proper laminate (ply) design negates any such effects and goes hand-in-hand with good mechanical design. These paddles are given an elevated-temperature post cure to stabilize the epoxy matrix and thus the entire part. They were specifically designed to withstand the hottest afternoons at the track in the most tropical reigions of the world (where I know this particular pair will be used). They were re-checked for dimensional accuracy after their heat-soak, when any warping or deflection would have occurred. These paddles are designed and built to look great in 40 years, not just the day they arrive. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1189 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ben, Funny thing you mention memory properties of this amazing composite. One of the things one has to look for also is that when fibers are not aligned the proper way and dispersed to conform to a mold by doing adequate R&D, you'll see tons of warping and such. Carbon fibers don't like being bent. They want to straighten out! So you might purchase something that looks fantastic, but then again, it'll look like crap in a year or so. Also depending on ambient temperatures and composite "curing" methods. Too much to talk about really. Complicated as heck, but you're right. When done right, it's tough to beat! Cheers Cheers | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 458 Registered: 6-2002 |
Taek- that's the truth! Though we don't use any boron either, I do have a carbon shard in the index finger of my left hand right now (tiny thing, maybe 7.x.1mm, like a splinter, it'll be gone in a few days.) Funny you mention  Chris- I use a T700 composite for a product's chassis that I am manufacturing. Is your source by chance Toray Composites? Is it a prepreg? (we use their 12K T700 prepreg, as used on the 777.) The parts look *great* you guys get much better surface quality than we do (but we don't focus on surf quality, lightest possible weight is our goal. Not suitable for auto applications though! Epoxy is yellow and not 100% clear, etc. Strong as hell though. We're also seeing about 3% air, which is awesome.) I do wanna know how you got that surface quality though! Guys- Carbonfibre is usually (in 2 dimentions at least) stronger than many steels. It does fail catastrophically, but when used below it's yeild/breakage load, it is VERY reliable, and nearly a 100% spring. Excellent memory properties. Just don't over load it (you'd probally have to drive the car ONTO these to break them. You would likely break all the bones in your fingers before you snaped these paddels, just judging from their thickness alone. Assuming they're sold CF and not a laminate, are they a laminate chris? ) Sorry to ask so many questions, I'm always eager to talk shop Best!~ Ben. | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Intermediate Member Username: T88power Post Number: 1536 Registered: 2-2001 |
ELI, the paddles on 360's are coated with the same crappy material as the window switches. In other words, they wear very quickly with any significant use and look like ••••. CF paddles (as well as titanium ones others mention) should hold up a lot better than the plastic coated factory ones. Ernesto | ||
| Chris Coffing (Valence)
Junior Member Username: Valence Post Number: 73 Registered: 3-2003 |
Ron, these are extremely strong, and more importantly in this application, stiff. Probably 5x stiffer than a piece of fiberglass the same size. Compared to the stock paddles, which are probably 356 (or something similar) permanent mold cast aluminum with ultimate tensile strength of around 38 ksi, our carbon fiber paddles are around 7.6 times stronger (in tension), with an ultimate tensile strength of around 290 ksi. This is not just the tensile strength of the carbon fibers (which is actually 500-600+ ksi) but of the actual composite part as molded. Of course, this really means nothing because you're probably just pulling on them with your fingers. Taek-Ho. The fibers are mainly T-300, one of the most widely used commercial and aerospace carbon fibers - a good blend of strength and stiffness. The construction method is matched-die compression molding. These paddles are squeezed together at very high pressures. This way, both the front and back sides are "controlled" surfaces - i.e. dimensionally accurate. Also, much more of the strong stuff (caron fiber) can be squeezed into a relatively thin laminate than would be possible with most other techniques. There is no boron used in these paddles or in any of our other parts. Broken carbon fiber, while rough, is a lot less damaging to the skin than broken aluminum, steel, glass, acrylic, and many of the other materials found in a car. Jrv, sorry, we specialize in composite materials, and have no plans to expand into titanium fabrication. Thanks to all for the kind words, and to Ernesto especially for facilitating this project. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 948 Registered: 5-2002 |
Eli. To have something that noone else has... Bling Bling factor.. | ||
| ELI (Titanium360)
Member Username: Titanium360 Post Number: 445 Registered: 4-2002 |
what is the benefit of putting on a carbon fiber paddle shifter? | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1186 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ron, Depends on what kind of fiber they used and how they made it etc. That'll show how strong they are. I wonder if they did SAE type testing on these things. It might not be required because it's not a stress bearing part, but would be nice to know have it either way. When carbon fiber breaks it is REALLY nasty. Very sharp and if there are any boron particles in there you can't get them out of your skin until your skin pushes them out naturally (very painful). When you purchase seats or whatever that are made of carbon fiber they go through extensive testing to make sure the fibers are aligned right etc. By the way, most of this is a small part of research my company has run because of potential investment in a composites company. They do carbon stuff and all, they just do it for airplanes and gov't applications.  Anywhooo...They look nice. Was wondering about the Ti also JR! Those would look cool in a matte finish. Cheers | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 944 Registered: 5-2002 |
Based on the mounting points, I would assume they were fairly easy to install... | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Intermediate Member Username: T88power Post Number: 1534 Registered: 2-2001 |
Changing them is super easy. As simple as turning the steering wheel to allow access, removing two screws, replacing the paddle, and replacing the screws. Ernesto | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 364 Registered: 12-2002 |
Are they diffucult to install our own?? or I have to have the dealer to install them?? | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 942 Registered: 5-2002 |
Those are Beautiful.. How solid and strong are they? Do they flex at all? These may sound like dumb questions, but I do know for the size they are, fiberglass would flex. I know carbonfiber is stronger, but I'm looking at the size.... | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 4700 Registered: 8-2002 |
Anything 'Carbon' is cool... | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 1736 Registered: 11-2002 |
Do you guys have any plans in the works to produce the handles in Titanium now? | ||
| Clax (Clax)
Junior Member Username: Clax Post Number: 63 Registered: 10-2002 |
Very nice. Are there any other manufacturers producing a similar product? | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Intermediate Member Username: T88power Post Number: 1533 Registered: 2-2001 |
They look great Chris! Ernesto | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 792 Registered: 10-2002 |
Chris, these look spectacular - does anyone know if these are the same size and fit for 550/575's? | ||
| Chris Coffing (Valence)
Junior Member Username: Valence Post Number: 72 Registered: 3-2003 |
We're proud to introduce our 360 F1 shifter paddles in carbon fiber. These paddles are the same size and shape as stock paddles, with a thick, durable urethane clear coat that feels great and looks even better. The backsides of the paddles have a slightly textured finish for improved grip, while the front sides are polished to a mirror-like shine. They are sold as a pair, and will fit on 360 F1 cars using stock fasteners. Price is $600.00 To order, send Paypal to [email protected] or call us at 434-977-7951. We currently accept credit card or balance transfer through paypal, and check/M.O. through the mail. Thanks! Chris Coffing Valence USA Front:  Rear:  Closeup:  |