I was not sure where to post this so i put it here, please excuse me if this was incorrect.

I am trying to get some feedback on a potential product that my performance team is going to build.

We are in the prototype stage as of now, but this could possibly be coming soon
How would you guys feel about an ice box intake system very similar to the comptech piece but created entirely out of carbon fiber? This would not be a show piece (although it would look stunning). The kit would include the ice box, intake tube and filter, for certain applications. The price would be less than that of the comptech kit but would use much higher quality components. The entire kit would cost somewhere around 300 - 350 $.

We chose to make our kit from carbon fiber due to its incredible strength to weight ratio (not that saving weight on an intake would be huge). The main reason carbon will be used is it has a great ability to dissipate heat. Metals such as aluminum and most plastics suffer from heat soak and actually will heat intake air (even if it is a cold air intake) Using carbon fiber would eliminate this heat soak problem.

Sorry for the long post, just give me some feedback. Most people I have spoken to have been interested but I wanted to run it by the H-T forum. More information will be comming as soon as it becomes available.

Thanks,

Arron Panigall
AP performance group

 

It sounds great but of course, the inside layer of carbon fiber would have to be smooth as the outside for performance's sake. 300-350 is a very good deal...reminds me of the mugen one for the k20

 

if you make one for a 5th gen Accord, yes. 3" piping, closed off airbox chamber and air funnel below the chamber.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It sounds great but of course, the inside layer of carbon fiber would have to be smooth as the outside for performance's sake. 300-350 is a very good deal...reminds me of the mugen one for the k20</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is exactly what we are working on now, making the inner layer as smooth as possible. I think that we will be able to do it. As the peice will not be hand layd set up, it will be vacume baged in an autoclave.

 

There isnt a need to make it CF.
Its already going to be light

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Usdmdc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There isnt a need to make it CF.
Its already going to be light </TD></TR></TABLE>

Weight saving is not the main reason we are using carbon fiber. (it is just a by product) Carbon fibers ability to not heat soak and keep intake charge at a low temp is the reason we are using it in our design. although strength and weight reducton are a nice by product.

 

I have to agree, I don't think carbon fiber is nessecary. Not that I don't love it! But there are plastics that can almost as good for a fraction of the cost.


Just wondering, what do you use as a core when you vac. bag and autoclave?

 

the original intake design, made of plastic is used to make a mold, the mold is the lined with the carbon fiber and resin, then placed into the autclave oven where it is baked at high temps and pressure, this pulls resign from the mixture making the ratio even.

 

plastic would seem to me to be much better....cost wise. Besides that, have you reallly looked into the temperatures experienced by an intake and the air inside them? Aluminum does not absorb heat and transfer it like you say it does, or nearly as bad.

Why does everyone go to CF? I truly believe Plastic is the way to go with an intake.

 

have u looked at the comptech kit? 169.00 for a plastic air box, and 199.00 for a metal tube and a filter. Why not make this style of kit from a superior material for a competative price?

There is significant heat transfere in metal. Set any peice of metal near a heat source. It may not be intensly severe but cooler intake charge = more power. Also check the Dinan intake for any BMW it is a cold air kit made from C.F.

Once we are done prototyping and testing we will have more definitive results ie. dyno plots, and temperature measurements.

 

Not to stump on anyone feet here. I think all these so call exotic materials are for just "Bling Bling" look and we're not blasting down the street doing 120mph. For us average Joe's that drive our car daily, wouldn't really benefit us at all. I would perfer something simple that we easily can get our hands on and something that would not put us in the poor house. Give me a EGAY CIA any day, it's cheap and works... HAHA!!!!! Aluminum + TIG welder = Make ANYTHING You want.

 

believe it or not but CF is easier to work on than say plastic when molding from a male mold. as many pointed out the "bling" factor is a by product, carbon fiber is renowned for its strength, lightness, fire resistance and heat insulation.
Our composite plane is made of a combination of fiberglass, carbonfiber and kelvar cloths, vaccu-sealed and autoclaved. you can make organic, smooth and very very durable components that way. the price of carbon fiber cloth is marginally more than of a good Eglass fiberglass cloth. i would sport a Kevlar icebox for the "bling", i might just make one myself...
stan

 

thank you stan for posting some truth. Yes carbon fiber is a bling factor but its was developed for function first, why is it used so heavily in so many other companies cars and products. Bling as u said is a by product. Function over form, even if carbon fier looked like *** but still had the properties it has i would still want it, would anyone else? If not then you are in it for the bling factor (which can be ok) but maybe this isnt the CAI for you.

and we are not talkin about cosmetic carbon fiber here, like most of our hoods are made from. This is an entirely diffrent type.


Modified by track1646 at 6:47 PM 3/30/2004