Carbon Fiber

[Suitcase Jefferson]

Howdy folks,

I have a stock, untouched (except for new fog lights) '89 Supra MKIII with Targa.

One day, I was trying to get that pesky Targa off by myself, and was having lots of troubles. Not that it's heavy, it's just very awkward for me.

So I had the idea that carbon fiber would not only look cool, but be very functional too!

I did some hunting around, and after some searching I found a person that could make me a complete carbon fiber Targa for $400 - just hot-swap it in, no hardware changes required.

However, would this look silly on my white Supra?

Also, another question: What about a Carbon-fiber hood?

How easy is it to remove the hood in the first place?

Thanks for your time,
Suitcase

 

[91Supra313]

You can get it painted to match your Supra. I have a picture of a white one with the CF targa painted white. If I can figure out how to put photos on here I will toss it on here for ya.

 

[91Supra313]

Ok so I was wrong it isn't painted. But here is the white one with a CF top

 

[Suitcase Jefferson]

Ok so I was wrong it isn't painted. But here is the white one with a CF top

Oh hell! That looks pretty slick, actually.

That picture alone is going to make me purchase one, lol!

What about the hood? Will that be going overboard?

 

[91Supra313]

lol sorry but I don't have one of the hood. At least on a white car.

 

[Suitcase Jefferson]

lol sorry but I don't have one of the hood. At least on a white car.

Do you think, in your opinion, that a CF hood would look goofy or riced-up?

 

[dasalvykidd]

i think it would look sick with a carbon hood and targa
i wish my car could pull off carbon fiber lol

 

[kamikazemkiii]

It looks pretty good, ive seen one in person. Tho without a targa in CF

---------- Post added at 07:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 PM ----------

lol oh yeahh ive got carbon fiber wrap! half the price of the hood alone lmk if u may be interested

 

[Suitcase Jefferson]

Okay, final question:

How hard would it be to replace the hood with a CF one? I noticed my hood has heat protection on the underside, etc. Does it simply bolt off, or is there more to it?

I'm mechanically-inclined when it comes to maintaining a vehicle, but not when it comes to switching out parts.

Thanks for your time!

lol oh yeahh ive got carbon fiber wrap! half the price of the hood alone lmk if u may be interested

What is a CF wrap?

 

[suprarx7nut]

For the hood, I haven't seen a really good stock drop-in replacement. The stock hood has the latch, struts, and underside insulation that bolt up to the underside of the hood's frame. I'd love to find a carbon fiber hood that would function 100% like stock. Hood struts and everything.

Maybe I haven't looked hard enough, but I haven't seen a really good, 100% drop in replacement in CF.

 

[Suitcase Jefferson]

For the hood, I haven't seen a really good stock drop-in replacement. The stock hood has the latch, struts, and underside insulation that bolt up to the underside of the hood's frame. I'd love to find a carbon fiber hood that would function 100% like stock. Hood struts and everything.

Maybe I haven't looked hard enough, but I haven't seen a really good, 100% drop in replacement in CF.

You raise very good points.

I've done some thinking about it, and there seems to be more negatives than positives to a CF hood.

However, I am totally going to get a CF Targa. -- Cool looking, functional and practical! :3

Edit:

Plus it saves me a pile of cash and a lot of hassle, too!

 

[closetnerd]

Post up pictures when you get it installed and take note on the fitting (does it fit snug, etc). Interested in this myself...

 

[Suitcase Jefferson]

Post up pictures when you get it installed and take note on the fitting (does it fit snug, etc). Interested in this myself...

I shall!

 

[87M-GTE]

*waiting for supraofdoom..

Sam

 

[kamikazemkiii]

Its a thin vynal layer that is made to look like carbon fiber without the cost.

 

[te72]

Is it just a CF skin where the top of the car would be on the standard metal targa panel? Or is the structure of the thing also made of CF? The stock one only weighs what, 25-30lbs tops? Only time I've ever had trouble with it is when the Wyoming wind is blowing like crazy, and I'm not all that tall or long-reached...

 

[projectsupra]

Keep in mind that most reasonably priced CF auto parts out there are just a single layer of CF, and a bunch of fiberglass. Also probably not RTM and in lots of cases not even bagged. Weight savings is going to be minimal if that's your main goal. Looks is another story, but you'll need more than just a CF targa or your going to have one out of place black spot on your car.

Its a thin vynal layer that is made to look like carbon fiber without the cost.

3M Di-Noc for $200? Don't waste your time, if you just want the look I could wrap your targa in CF for that price. Besides that stuff just looks like textured vinyl, not CF.

 

[Suitcase Jefferson]

@kamikazemkiii: I appreciate your offer, but I'm after the real thing.

@te72 + projectsupra: The Targa top I'm looking at weighs 9lbs and is 100% double-layer Carbon-fibre.

 

[projectsupra]

Sounds like a good deal in that case, update with pics of quality/fitment.

 

[Suitcase Jefferson]

I will when it arrives! Thanks for all the info, guys. I appreciate it.