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I am buying mirko splitter mold

Swazo said:
If it's a matter of buying the mold....... I'll buy it. I'd produce them in kevlar, carbon......whatever. I'd give CEGers a big discount of course. I have the resources to do it.

I don't want to step on anyones toes........
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do it X 2. . .

you can step on my toes if you wish.
I have my steel toes on.

If you want to do it PM me
 
DocStruthers said:
If i could make front fenders, hood, and maybe even front bumper and splitter in C/F do you have ANY idea the weight savings would be beans?
And if you just are "F'ing" the colors then paint it to match your car.

Between all of those parts which most are metal

The weight savings would be 75lbs easy.
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fenders done in CF you would save maybe 3 lbs.

Bumper in CF, not a lot. IDK what an SVT bumper cover weighs, but you wont save much weight doing it in CF.

Ricers like saying how much weight they save with carbon fiber this and that, but there are very few parts where you can accomplish much weight savings. Pieces like hoods, trunks, doors, where it is not just a skin, there is a skeleton behind them, that is where weight savings are, when you replace that skeleton with CF. Replacing a sheet of 18 gauge steel, not much weight savings. Replacing a not thick urethane plastic bumper cover, not really gonna save a lot of weight either.

now, onto the cost. idk if you know how much carbon fiber really costs, but it is not cheap like fiberglass. a 50" wide piece of 5.7 oz carbon fiber fabric is going to be around $35 a yard, and that is the cheap stuff. Realistically, one mirco would be about 3 yards of fabric, actually probably a bit more than that, maybe more in the neighborhood of 4 and a half yards, idk, I havent really ever seen a mirko except for the pics.

Now fiberglass chopped strand mat is gonna run you around 7 bucks a yard.

btw, you would have to make yourself a different mold to do them in CF, that is if you dont want to destroy the original after doing just one mirko.
 
FIND said:
btw, you would have to make yourself a different mold to do them in CF, that is if you dont want to destroy the original after doing just one mirko.
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Why's that? I've only read about composit materials and all that fun stuff, but I've never heard that you can't use the same molds for FG. :shrug: I made some custom CF bezels for my CSVT's headlights....... that's about the extent of my real world dealings, lol. I swear I can get material a bit cheaper than that wholesale from a jobber.
 
Let me talk to my neighbor a bit, he owns a FG company I'm thinking of using for this. He does some composit pieces, so he'd know if I should take this on or not.
 
Swazo said:
Why's that? I've only read about composit materials and all that fun stuff, but I've never heard that you can't use the same molds for FG. :shrug: I made some custom CF bezels for my CSVT's headlights....... that's about the extent of my real world dealings, lol. I swear I can get material a bit cheaper than that wholesale from a jobber.
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IDK, I have heard that with large parts, the CF deforms more easily, of course I guess you dont have to worry about it as much if you vacuum it, just like with FG. I might be wrong. I have only done small pieces and embellishments in CF. I have done large fiberglass panels for trucks, and I used to talk to the guy who supplied us with material, and he told me that I needed more rigid molds if I wanted to do Carbon Fiber, cause I wanted to do fenders. But with the cost and all, and with the fact I was to lazy to build an oven, I never got around to it. I just figured he knew what he was talking about.

I could very well be wrong. I am looking stuff up to try and figure out if I am.

Edit: The more I am looking into this, the more I am thinking that I am wrong about it. I am sure that the mold Mirko was using would hold up anyways, they made it for mass producing parts anyways. Im gonna e-mail some aircraft guys I know and ask them about it. :edit again, nevermind, I am wrong, it is not really a problem to use the same mold.
 
Somebody do it soon. I need gratuitous amounts of bling, for my SVT that still needs a tune :crazy:
 
haha. working on it guys.

I have a lot of stuff goin on. Possible contributors, waitin on some manufacturing pricing, etc. etc.

if anyone would still like to donate please pm me

I will be buying the mold.

I need to talk to Albert Mirko but he is a little slow on email responses.
I shall give him a ring.

:)

I am excited. This should work out well.
 
FIND said:
fenders done in CF you would save maybe 3 lbs.

Bumper in CF, not a lot. IDK what an SVT bumper cover weighs, but you wont save much weight doing it in CF.

Ricers like saying how much weight they save with carbon fiber this and that, but there are very few parts where you can accomplish much weight savings. Pieces like hoods, trunks, doors, where it is not just a skin, there is a skeleton behind them, that is where weight savings are, when you replace that skeleton with CF. Replacing a sheet of 18 gauge steel, not much weight savings. Replacing a not thick urethane plastic bumper cover, not really gonna save a lot of weight either.

now, onto the cost. idk if you know how much carbon fiber really costs, but it is not cheap like fiberglass. a 50" wide piece of 5.7 oz carbon fiber fabric is going to be around $35 a yard, and that is the cheap stuff. Realistically, one mirco would be about 3 yards of fabric, actually probably a bit more than that, maybe more in the neighborhood of 4 and a half yards, idk, I havent really ever seen a mirko except for the pics.

Now fiberglass chopped strand mat is gonna run you around 7 bucks a yard.

btw, you would have to make yourself a different mold to do them in CF, that is if you dont want to destroy the original after doing just one mirko.
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CF is not expensive. It is just MORE expensive then fiberglass.
True about fenders though. Now that I think of it. I will most likely perfect on Mirkos splitter then make one, THEN make a mold out of it, strictly for C/F IF that is in fact required. I haven't heard of requiring different molds for different composites. I mean the release and epoxy is what touches the mold not the fabric or f/g. I am sure Mirko used quality components in their mold they have for our splitters. :shrug:
 
I already have a Mirko, But am willing to put down money for a CF one and keep my current one as a Daily....

I just hope whoever steps up to the plate does something worthwhile with the mold, Making it better and NOT wasting time.....

- amyn
 
How about trying the very obvious

How about trying the very obvious

Folks

If there really is a demand for this company's splitter (whatever that is) why don't you all put together a group buy?

In these tight times I cannot imagine that the manufacturer would reject a group buy, provided it was large enough.

As for the op. From an economic point of view, if the manufacturer does not have enough demand to continue production, it is highly unlikely that you will have enough demand as well. I understand trying to save something that you think is important, but really is a part for a car that important?
 
andreslobo said:
Folks

If there really is a demand for this company's splitter (whatever that is) why don't you all put together a group buy?

In these tight times I cannot imagine that the manufacturer would reject a group buy, provided it was large enough.

As for the op. From an economic point of view, if the manufacturer does not have enough demand to continue production, it is highly unlikely that you will have enough demand as well. I understand trying to save something that you think is important, but really is a part for a car that important?
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Go up and read my post. It isn't profitable for Mirko to make these for us anymore. Plain and simple. I guarantee that's why they don't make them for us anymore. I doubt they'll partake in another group buy, which is why they want to sell the mold in the first place.
 
andreslobo said:
As for the op. From an economic point of view, if the manufacturer does not have enough demand to continue production, it is highly unlikely that you will have enough demand as well. I understand trying to save something that you think is important, but really is a part for a car that important?
Click to expand...

There might not be a demand for it because of the materials currently used to produce them, the fact that they aren't marketed at all and/or price. Considering what it is, the price is a little on the high side.

Make it in polyurethane (or even in the current fiberglass) and throw it up on eBay at $100 less than the current price. I bet sales wouldn't be a problem anymore.

You can't even fart near a Mirko without taking a chip out of it. Luckily Pole120 produced a skidplate that gives these things a chance on the road.
 
FauxhawkFox said:
Is Swazo not buying it anymore?
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I'm waiting to talk to some sources before I buy the mold.

I question at this point, who would really want a CF or kevlar splitter? I know it sounds like a good idea, but with the amount of abuse my FG splitter went through I had to make a skid plate with a lip to TRY to keep it in reasonable shape. A CF or Kevlar splitter would be purly an aesthetic piece, and it wouldn't be long before they'd need to be filled and painted IMHO. :shrug:

I'd really like to pick the mold up and add some options for the Contour world, but it seems more like wishful thinking.

Opinions?
 
boumacj said:
Would like to see pricing on a more flexible and durable material than Fiberglass and CF.
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The only thing after those would be kevlar really. because it's fiberglass, then whatever else there is, then CF then kevlar and kevlar is going to be $$$$$ i'm sure. If you want the good stuff anyway. Sure I could make these splitters out of whatever material you want but if you want it to maintain visual appeal and be able to handle hitting a caterpillar then I HAVE to use quality stuff!! which will cost if it is CF or better. . . :shrug:

andreslobo said:
Folks

If there really is a demand for this company's splitter (whatever that is) why don't you all put together a group buy?

In these tight times I cannot imagine that the manufacturer would reject a group buy, provided it was large enough.

As for the op. From an economic point of view, if the manufacturer does not have enough demand to continue production, it is highly unlikely that you will have enough demand as well. I understand trying to save something that you think is important, but really is a part for a car that important?
Click to expand...
It seems Mirko has zero interest in making these for us anymore. SO BE IT. We can get a CEG'er to make them that enjoys doing it and sells them CHEAPER then mirko hey. why not.

FauxhawkFox said:
Is Swazo not buying it anymore?
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He is waiting to hear back from some sources.

CSVT1214 said:
There might not be a demand for it because of the materials currently used to produce them, the fact that they aren't marketed at all and/or price. Considering what it is, the price is a little on the high side.

Make it in polyurethane (or even in the current fiberglass) and throw it up on eBay at $100 less than the current price. I bet sales wouldn't be a problem anymore.

You can't even fart near a Mirko without taking a chip out of it. Luckily Pole120 produced a skidplate that gives these things a chance on the road.
Click to expand...
WOW. I had no idea they were that fragile! That's dissapointing. But that gives me confidence I could make a much better product then mirko. Visually and structurally.

Swazo said:
I'm waiting to talk to some sources before I buy the mold.

I question at this point, who would really want a CF or kevlar splitter? I know it sounds like a good idea, but with the amount of abuse my FG splitter went through I had to make a skid plate with a lip to TRY to keep it in reasonable shape. A CF or Kevlar splitter would be purly an aesthetic piece, and it wouldn't be long before they'd need to be filled and painted IMHO. :shrug:

I'd really like to pick the mold up and add some options for the Contour world, but it seems more like wishful thinking.

Opinions?
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Doing the splitter in fancy, stronger material is a great idea. If you make a few that can hold up and look great then I would certainly buy one. I plan to devise a sheet metal skid plate of some sort as well so maybe you or I could figure a way to intigrate some extra support to the skid plate mounting locations. The possibilities are endless really. Your imagination is your only limitation. If you can't imagine it then most likely you can't do it. Yadig? :)
 
I agree, stronger material is key. But, it wasn't the FG that was chipping or breaking. The resin was chipping off of mine. Also, how many people are going to pay for a super splitter with an intigrated lip/skidplate? 5 people? I would imagine (before actually crunching the numbers) it would be twice as much as a FG splitter.

I was the first (to my knowledge) to make a skidplate/lip because of the massive chipping. When I complained, people said I wasn't driving my Contour correct. I made my lip/plate and the next thing you know, others started doing it.
 
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