Build Thread: S197 100% Carbon Fiber Saleen Mustang

[bluffmaster007]

I have great news for all of you. We will be converting a 2006 Saleen S281 S/C to a complete CARBON FIBER vehicle.This will be the 1st one in the world. All parts will be made from 100% Carbon Fiber! No fiberglass will be used! We will be starting on this project on Monday and will be done by September 1st. We will do a complete coverage of the build as we go. Parts that will be made in carbon are:

Hood
Hood Vents
Front Bumper
Front Splitter
Grill
Fenders
Doors
Roof
Mirrors
Quarter panels
Trunk
Side Rockers
Rocker Extensions
Rear Wing
Rear Bumper
3 piece taillight covers
Diffuser
Extreme Window scoop
Steering wheel
Dashboard
Center console
Radio Bezel
and a few other goodies we will work on the way.

We will have a little fun and do a few giveaways on guessing how much parts weigh and how much the car weighs before and after, so stay tuned! Follow our Hard Core Muscle page on facebook to play!

[Dave]

What is the Saleen serial number for this project car?

[Werecow]

Awesome! Good luck... Hopefully you are weighing the car before and after.

[bluffmaster007]

Originally Posted by Dave

What is the Saleen serial number for this project car?

06 -1156
Why do you ask?

Originally Posted by Werecow

Awesome! Good luck... Hopefully you are weighing the car before and after.

Yes we will be along with all the parts that come off and go on the car!

[Dave]

Originally Posted by bluffmaster007

06 -1156
Why do you ask?

I would like to notate what is about to happen to this vehicle.

[Runninpony]

How is this good news? Why on earth would someone want to do this to an original Saleen. It's the only one in the world that should tell you something. There's a reason. Spend thousands and thousands of dollars and many man hours building a vehicle that will be worth considerably less if anything at all than what it is now. Maybe I'm just missing what the vehicle will actually be used for. But if it's just to conserve weight and make it faster that way that's kind of pointless. Actually I would think the suspension and the entire way the vehicle handles and controls will be effected negatively by doing this. Although, it's going to be an interesting build so I will stay tuned.

[eviligloo]

Originally Posted by Runninpony

How is this good news? Why on earth would someone want to do this to an original Saleen. It's the only one in the world that should tell you something. There's a reason. Spend thousands and thousands of dollars and many man hours building a vehicle that will be worth considerably less if anything at all than what it is now. Maybe I'm just missing what the vehicle will actually be used for. But if it's just to conserve weight and make it faster that way that's kind of pointless. Actually I would think the suspension and the entire way the vehicle handles and controls will be effected negatively by doing this. Although, it's going to be an interesting build so I will stay tuned.

Did you miss the part about them converting it TO carbon fiber and not FROM carbon fiber? The handling will be a lot better with that much less weight.

Sounds like a cool project. Can't wait to see pictures.

[Runninpony]

Originally Posted by eviligloo

Did you miss the part about them converting it TO carbon fiber and not FROM carbon fiber? The handling will be a lot better with that much less weight.

Sounds like a cool project. Can't wait to see pictures.

No sir I did not miss that part. All I missed is what the car will be used for. Suspension is tuned for the weight of the car. If you take off maybe 800 lbs roughly, if he's lucky, which is all this enormous and expensive job will do, then it will negatively effect suspension and handling and he didn't say anything about suspension work. I don't care how good of a carbon fiber worker he is he will never make the body lines as clean as they are with the factory metal and pieces.
Basically would you buy or own this car?? It's not going to be good for anything once this is done. It's a car you wouldn't want to drive on the street, nor would you want to race it unless it's got a good roll cage in it. It's going to be for looks only.
Worse part is about a quarter of the parts listed will have a very little difference in weight between the plastic and carbon fiber pieces. Maybe this dude owns a carbon fiber shop and is promoting his company and brand. Then I would understand. Otherwise this is destroying a beautiful Saleen with zero benefits other than taking the value completely out of the car.

[Dave]

Here is the car.

[Dave]

A few more photos.

[olecoot]

Hmmmm the jury is out on this .....

As a concept to show what could be done, I understand. Not my cup o' tea.

[saleenster]

would be curious on weight before the change over and now current weight of the car. Looks kinda neat too me...probably would never do it but I appreciate the work.

[gliioct14]

Probably 200 plus pounds of resin and 30 or more fibre

[Red6]

It shaved off 450lbs off the car. I disagree losing weight is always a good thing.

2005-2009 Saleen are never going to be worth a whole lot anyhow. Most people are selling them for half of what they bought they for. I drive my boss 302 and my saleen and enjoy them not hoping they will be worth anything when I'm done. Cars depreciated for the most part because there always something bigger and better in the next few years.

[gliioct14]

Thought these are overmolrds not from scratch New parts. do you find the reflection off the dash a lot or is that matte finish most racers like that part dull . when you mold the roof quarter panels is that a monacot fabrication you must have a huge autoclave. I can't do parts that large I know fiat for the 4c is like 30 x 20.

[sidvicious]

I like it. They should hydrodip the wheels carbon to complete the look.

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by gliioct14

Thought these are overmolrds not from scratch New parts. do you find the reflection off the dash a lot or is that matte finish most racers like that part dull . when you mold the roof quarter panels is that a monacot fabrication you must have a huge autoclave. I can't do parts that large I know fiat for the 4c is like 30 x 20.

As I understand it from the maker, every part on the car with exception of the chassis and shell is Carbon Fiber. It was quite the build.

[Red6]

Originally Posted by sidvicious

I like it. They should hydrodip the wheels carbon to complete the look.

They are putting our MP MoLton wheels on the car.


image by Saleen513, on Flickr

[sidvicious]

Awesome Paul. Your wheels look primo.

[Barricade]

Interesting.....but if you were doing the side panel why not take the back side window completly out?

ref:

[gliioct14]

That is Awesome!!! Like it should be

[Jason @ 281m]

You mean no rear window Robert?

Originally Posted by Barricade

Interesting.....but if you were doing the side panel why not take the back side window completly out?

ref:

[gliioct14]

Rear quarter glass unneeded gone on both of my rigs others drivers beware