Can I make my whole car carbon fiber?

Question

I have a 2007 sti and i was thinkin how much weight i can shave off my car if i make the whole car carbon fiber. any ideas if thats possible and or price or how much weight it could be?

Answer 1

To begin your car is uni-body construction.  The body is part of the supporting platform, it will cost "cubic" dollars and would require that your car be converted to a full tube frame and then hang carbon fiber parts onto the new structure.  I know a muliti-millionaire that recently had his Corvette fiberglass body changed to a carbon fiber body, it costs $$$$$'s, and was done somewhere in Oregon.

The cheapest way would be to have your doors, hood and anything else that is bolted on and is not part of the support platform changed to carbon fiber.  Your doors most likely have steel beams in them (for safety - its not recommended that they be removed), but, removal will save quite a few pounds.  Changing to Lexon glass could save close to 150 pounds.   I don't carry a spare, so thats an idea.  Get rid of your jack and all unnecessary junk thats stored.  I run tires that are lighter than normal (only good for 1500 miles on the road and are two to three times costlier than regular tires).  I also run ultra light racing rims that were custom made for my car and are VERY light, but are really not that good on the street.  I never fill my gas tank, saves me 70 pounds on fuel alone.  Also every part that is steel that can be replaced with aluminum is another weight saver.

Your car is AWD, covert it to rear wheel drive only, that could possibly save close to a couple of hundred pounds.  Getting rid of the front differential, and the system needed to drive it will be a great savings.  Remember, some of the best handling cars are rear wheel drive only.

EDIT:   Cast Iron exhaust manifolds can be replaced with headers, saving some more weight.  I have a MOPAR that weighs under 3000 pounds - soon to have a little more than 1 horsepower for every 5 pounds of car.  Light means fast!

Answer 2

lol, you can, post a picture when your done.

Answer 3

unless you are a millionare, you would have to be out of your mind. and even then........... it will probably cost you over US$10 000 if not more to have the whole car done, and if you get into any sort of crash or hit a gutter etc, the piece are just going to crack and splinter, it just isn't a smart idea.

Answer 4

It would probably be pretty expensive...how about all wood?

http://www.joeharmondesign.com/

Answer 5

this is incredibly dumb.  I don't think you can do it, yes it is possible BUT no shop would do it as they would be at fault for contributing to your death.  You hit one thing you are dead.... lighter car is not equal to a human life.