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What would YOU want to buy that is made of Carbon Fiber?

H

HellBentComposites

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2026
Location
Charleston, SC
Hi, I'm Ari and I make carbon fiber. I worked at a large aerospace company as a structural mechanic, working doing shimming, assembly, composite repair, that kind of stuff. I left 9 months in to go to college. I was 18 at the time. I have recently started to make carbon fiber myself, using OOA prepreg and a homemade composite oven.


I had a '91 244 I was building for a 2JZ swap. The car had to go so I could keep up with college, but I've still got the 2J. Eagle rods, Manley pistons, ARP heads and mains, Cometic head gasket, baffled oil pan, GTE-VVTI oil pump from Japan so I can keep VVTI, and some more goodies. I haven't found many people making carbon parts for 2/7/9 series cars, and I'd like to fix that. I still have intentions of doing a swap into a brick, but I am leaning much more into the 7 series now, just because of chassis stuff and suspension geometry. I am still settling on what trans I want, and am bouncing between an 8HP or a Tremec magnum. I want it to be a time attack car. Its going to rev to 8k and make about 650whp.


What I'm set up for right now is small to medium parts: vents, ducts, trim, gauge pods, mirror caps, intake pieces, brackets. Not hoods or full panels yet, but I do plan on that in the future. My prepreg is good for 110C, but my wet layups are good for 130C.


One question:
What do you want in carbon fiber in your brick?

Not selling anything yet, just trying to figure out what you guys would be interested in.
 
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Nagrom said:
God please make it stop
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I get that I’m pretty new on this account, but I am a lurker on 2jz244guy, which is an account I made when I started getting into Volvos. I’m remaking a V70R elevate hood event right now. Will send photos in a few days - a week or two. Still figuring out the design for moldings.
 
fatcatbestcat said:
Both are from North Carolina, which is an interesting coincidence.
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Looking over his stuff, I would assume he promised a lot but never delivered. I completely get the hesitation. I do not, however, have a website or prices, and don't plan on that until I can send a few parts out to people who would be willing to test fit them and give me insight as to what needs to change. I am a college student, and I simply find composites interesting, and am trying to hone my fabrication skills. As of now I am curing a few model rocket bodies made from aramid/carbon sleeves for a buddy who's an aerospace engineering major. I am very much in the early stages of making composites, and am more looking into the community that welcomed me into cars when I was younger, to try and create something more positive.

TLDR: I am not selling anything yet, and am simply asking for parts you guys would want to see made. I would be glad to give a few out (like 5 or so) to people to get real testing and feedback on fitment and UV resistance.
 
mopar318 said:
Carbon fiber flat hoods!
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I have only really done wet layup and prepregs. Hoods and stuff like that is normally resin infusion, which I don't have the space for yet, and I don't have much experience with. I will look into doing resin infusion and bigger body panels, but doing hoods and stuff like that is that big is a pain. I won't get it on the first try, and it will be a lot of wasted material. I'm more thinking stuff like trim pieces, sideview mirrors, rearview mirrors, smaller things. Possibly steering wheels, but not yet. Additionally, I would not be comfortable sending hoods out until I actually do stress testing and FEA. Its possible in the future, but out of my scope for now.
 
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Nagrom said:
Carbon fiber 240 shells

PM me for my mailing address
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I can't do that. I mean I'd need extensive research, testing, engineering time, and I'd have to get access to a full lab for that. Typically its best to do structural parts like that using prepregs, but that being said, that doesn't mean that is the only way to do it. Stuff like the I8 has HP-RTM, which is dry fiber and resin injected.
 
Nagrom said:
Here are some of my worst ideas:
carbon fiber wheel weights
carbon fiber valve caps
carbon fiber headlight lenses
carbon fiber key blanks
carbon fiber wiper blades
carbon fiber floor mats
carbon fiber ash trays
carbon fiber center caps
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sweet. How about your best ones? or second best? I'd be willing to work with C tier ideas.
 
My suggestion for something that is both needed, and could benefit by being stronger. Interior door handle surrounds, and mathing door handle knob thingies and the plate that goes under the knob.

Knob (and what most 240's look like in this area)
https://www.reddit.com/r/Volvo240/comments/1coadg6/handle_coming_off
Surround trim https://store.voluparts.com/tan-volvo-240-door-handle-trim/
Plate https://store.voluparts.com/volvo-240-inner-door-handle-casing-tan/


These parts are small, but they are almost always in some state of broken. And while the knob itself rarely breaks, it does look terrible after 30 years of use.
 
HiSPL said:
Do you deal in weave only or could these be forged carbon?
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I have not used 'forged' carbon as of yet. I'd make the first few in 2x2 twill, which is the best balance of what you'd use them for. Forged carbon actually isn't forged at all for the most part. It forfeits most of carbon fiber's advantages for easier production. I'd be glad to give it a shot, however. I'll start with twill though.
 
HellBentComposites said:
I have not used 'forged' carbon as of yet. I'd make the first few in 2x2 twill, which is the best balance of what you'd use them for. Forged carbon actually isn't forged at all for the most part. It forfeits most of carbon fiber's advantages for easier production. I'd be glad to give it a shot, however. I'll start with twill though.
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I know, but it is the current cool guy thing. Was just wondering.
 
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