I had my heatshield repaired. When i went to pick it up, I found out they had wet lay carbon fibre over it. I'm going to ask them to do it to the other heat shield bits. Before and after pics. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
It was done by a Lotus specialist in the UK. ttp://www.sinclairebodyshop.co.uk/ They have'nt told me how much yet. should find out in the next day or two.
Does CF survive at exhaust temps? It is just epoxy and CF cloth! Did they comment on this? If it works, how long until we see CF mufflers and exhausts?
I don't see it being a problem to have CF mufflers and exhaust someone just has to make it. Alot of motorcycles today use them. I had CF exhaust on my hayabusa.
A lot of the "Honda" guys are running cf mufflers. A full exhaust would be hard because of the length, bends, etc. At some point heat can become a problem, but not sure what temp. I have seen cf valve covers as well.
I assume that's the inside - that was not a good way to do that repair. Aluminized fiberglass would have been way more appropriate. The carbon fiber itself will be fine, but most likely the epoxy or polyester resin will degrade quickly. Also, the color makes it a bad choice for the inside of a heat shield. There's a reason they are painted reflective silver from the factory. I'd take it back and ask them to at least coat the inside with a heat reflective coating.
Thansk for the info. How about if it carbon fibre'd on the outside and the silver reflective on the inside? Would that be okay?
If i recall correctly, that part of the heatshield has an aluminum reflective material. NOT the right place to be haphazardly putting carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is great, but not for that. Terrible idea.
Yes. Aluminized fiberglass is what is used on this: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132782 The Wizard of Oz who makes these is also working on some heat shields -- specifically to keep air intake boxes cooler on the F355. Not to mention saving some $$ off the outrageous OEM parts pricing.
Yeah the cap is indeed aluminized fiberglass. Had it on my desk for a while. Is the heat shield you're referring to the one under the airboxes and on top of the muffler? We made a rough prototype a while ago and sent it to an f-chatter for evaluation. It's aluminized glass on the inside and carbon fiber on the outside.
Actually vinyl ester resin is much better than epoxy or polyester resin for engine bay applications. Its much more heat resistent. We did a run of turbo charge piping for racing out of carbon fiber socks impregnated with vinyl ester and they have held up fine for two years. You can get a carbon fiber look with the aluminized fiberglass by tinting the resin black. Paul
Iam the one who got the proto type , I love it and no way ill ever give it up . Its gone about 500 miles so far and is holding up great .
VE is pretty good in moderate heat/corrosive environments, up to a point (usually 240F or so max). I think the stock heat shields are actually phenolic, which is even better. The higher end heat-cured epoxies (not boat-repair supply stuff) can go to 400F plus when cured appropriately.
