CF tunnel stiffeners
- Thread starter geo
- Start date
I was wondering the same thing.
More so for the tunnel top though. I would think a sheet with a thin core would be solid, hold less snow and easy to produce but partic custom carbon just makes overlays for that one.
More so for the tunnel top though. I would think a sheet with a thin core would be solid, hold less snow and easy to produce but partic custom carbon just makes overlays for that one.
S
sledneck_03
Well-known member
Patricks custom carbon had a piece that replaces middle between coolers.
Dragon plate. Com
Way cheaper!
You could use the laminate carbon fiber with uv protector with self adhesive/sticky back.
For the top and bootom of tunnel id use that. Patricks is nice stuff, but totally unrealistic in price in my view.
Way cheaper!
You could use the laminate carbon fiber with uv protector with self adhesive/sticky back.
For the top and bootom of tunnel id use that. Patricks is nice stuff, but totally unrealistic in price in my view.
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As it is a super thin show piece, they recommend placing it over or under the aluminum piece. It will shed the snow, but it is not much more than CF vinyl in thickness.
If nobody steps up sooner, I will be molding some for my builds, but I intend to put a long radius bend in the stock coolers behind the seat for a dual angle tunnel (a kick up after the seat more like the IQR's). Mine will also be 3/4" to 1" taller to avoid the front choke point. Also I'm not sure mine would work with the stock suspensions as I will be running the EZ-Ryde and as such I don't need the rear hanger to drag and collect snow. This with the C3 CF bulkhead and a lot of other tricks and we are on our way to sub 350# dry.
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I wouldn't think it would be hard to rivet the stock hanger to a custom tunnel....
Sorry for the derail;
I haven't dissected my tunnel yet, would it be possible to make stock-ish tunnel sides and center section by just makin a sheet of carbon and have it cut out on a water jet in the same specs as stock?
Sorry for the derail;
I haven't dissected my tunnel yet, would it be possible to make stock-ish tunnel sides and center section by just makin a sheet of carbon and have it cut out on a water jet in the same specs as stock?
That can be done and would be the cheapest way to go CF wise, the only issue is the boards do not fasten to the tunnel sides they rely on a 3/4" wide 90 degree flange at the bottom. The cheapest easiest way I see to accommodate that is break an aluminum piece that could be hydro-phobic hard anodized to attach the boards to and double as the suspension bracket, and rivet / glue that to the bottom edge.
Ideally it would be a one piece molding of CF / Kevlar and have that flange built in. You could get fancy and have thicker webs molded into the sides where the stresses will run and have the other areas a couple layers thick to keep the snow in the tunnel. I envision, triangulated thicker webs (0.125") kind of like the raised / embossed ribs on the PRO-Climbs. The sections in between could be 0.035"-0.060" skin for function. The thicker triangulated sections could be water jet cut from pre-laminated plate and then over molded with a few layers of CF on both sides. These extra layers would form the flange for the running boards and stiffen the rear exposed edge (likely wrapped around a pre-formed rod for strength wear resistance and looks). The inside of the tunnel being flat for snow shed and the raised embossed outer for strength, traction, function, and looks.
Any CF guys want a project?
I have had a lot of inquiries about this. Making the side C/F tunnel panels is not a issue, this issue is C/F does flex more than alum so it would need to be a bit thicker to achieve the same defection. This will make it a smaller weight savings than people would like to see for the price. The other issue is all the anchoring points for the chain/belt drive. Carbon fiber acts like fiber glass in softness, so how long until the holes start to egg out? We could make alum inserts for the bolts, then again a cost issue. My biggest concern is who is going to install it, I know many of you are mechanics, I would like to have dealers install a tunnel, again a cost issue.
The flat overlay tunnel wraps I made thicker than need be to keep them from looking like a alum pop can, the thinner the more distortion with pop rivets.. We make them .048 thick.
I guess for $450.00 to drop 20-40 lbs or more maybe out of most people price point, but pound for pound we dont think it is over priced. They take 30 min to install.
We now do make the suspension hanger C/F covers. they slip right over the stock hanger. You can install with out pulling suspension. Pull out the suspension bolt slide the cover over and replace the bolt. Add 4 pop rivets. We sell those for $300.00 a set. this will eliminate that ice ball on the hanger.
TJ
The flat overlay tunnel wraps I made thicker than need be to keep them from looking like a alum pop can, the thinner the more distortion with pop rivets.. We make them .048 thick.
I guess for $450.00 to drop 20-40 lbs or more maybe out of most people price point, but pound for pound we dont think it is over priced. They take 30 min to install.
We now do make the suspension hanger C/F covers. they slip right over the stock hanger. You can install with out pulling suspension. Pull out the suspension bolt slide the cover over and replace the bolt. Add 4 pop rivets. We sell those for $300.00 a set. this will eliminate that ice ball on the hanger.
TJ
It's 40 lbs of snow weight.
pretty interesting
Got any pics laying around?
Got any pics laying around?
Yes losing 40 lbs of riding weight, it may be more it could be less depending on the snow conditions. The people who have tested and had it done agree there is very little if any snow and ice build up under the tunnel.
I believe the issue with the running boards/foot wells and tunnel top building up ice and snow is because the heat exchanger is the same extrusion/aluminum, thus you get a heat transfer though the heat exchanger making the running boards/footwells a warmer temp making the snow turn to ice. I would estimate the side tunnel has a 40-60 degree temp, and the exchangers cool down the antifreeze from 110 degrees depending on the thermostat.
Carbon fiber does not conduct heat or cold, cant freeze it and takes up to 500 degrees.
TJ
I believe the issue with the running boards/foot wells and tunnel top building up ice and snow is because the heat exchanger is the same extrusion/aluminum, thus you get a heat transfer though the heat exchanger making the running boards/footwells a warmer temp making the snow turn to ice. I would estimate the side tunnel has a 40-60 degree temp, and the exchangers cool down the antifreeze from 110 degrees depending on the thermostat.
Carbon fiber does not conduct heat or cold, cant freeze it and takes up to 500 degrees.
TJ
