Are there different types of 348 bumpers? Was it fibreglass for early cars and plastic for later models. I assume plastic is lighter? How much lighter would a kevlar/carbon one be compared to the plastic or fibreglass one? Thanks
i want to say they are fiberglass. when i had my front one repaired, it was fiberglass that was shattered and split on my front spoiler
I belive they are all fiber glass. IF you made a CF version, it would really all depend how you designed it, and what the goal is. If you simply want a light weight shell, you can remove alot of weight, if you want the same material thickness, less. MY guess is that you could reduce the weight to 50% with a new VARTM manufactured bumper, fairly easy. If you are willing to use your currect bumpers as plug for a mold, I know just to guy to make these. He is a friend of mine, and have a company that makes carbon bumpers and complete body parts for Tourings race cars, And Le Mans cars. etc. in very high quality! It is propperly only the paint that will be dammaged on your old bumpers..... PM me if interested.
There are others available that are lighter as well. I don't think there is a lot of weight saving in the rear bumper, that is fairly light anyway. the QV fibreglass front is much lighter, but it does not come with the central fittings that need to be salvaged from the old one or manufactured. My body shop was not pleased with it last year. this year i have gone back to stock when I needed yet another front. I was offered a CF one from Scuderia sales, Dave does both front and rears, but I don't know the weight savings.
They are all fiber glass except the euro GTC which was CF. The US challenge cars had lighter bumper, but mostly due to removeal of the 5 mph bumpers inside. I don't think the construction was different.
Thanks guys. Pro Sport in the Uk can do them in kevlar/carbon and am considering getting a set when the car goes in for a respray. Just wondering wether there was a significant weight reduction. I'll do some more research and post up later.
How much for a set Sy? Do they have them on the shelf, or will they make them when you order them? If they have them on the shelf, just weigh it and weigh a stock 348 bumper and that will soon tell you brother.
Thats ok mate. I didnt think you would have posted the price if these were made to order. If you do find out and dont mind, can you please post the cost of each?
Don't forget that the SS lips are molded resin, not fiberglass. Ask me how I know. I can attest that the bumper covers are indeed fiberglass. Again ask me how I know this one. As for their weight, it ain't much so I am not sure how much reduciton you are going to realize in CF, but they might actually be more resistent to punctures.
Weight saving is also dependant what you want, many suppliers offer either "racing versions" what are featherlight but will damage very easily or thicker street versions. It's not just materials that make CF lighter, you need to do it properly with proper tools (autoclave etc). Many so called "cf parts" are as heavy as properly done fiberglass versions.
