Bonnet Pins In A Carbon Bonnet

[Wheezy]

I had a search on the forum and could not find anything relevant to this (at a glance)

The crux is that I need to install bonnet pins in my carbon bonnet (I would prefer the flush style one, however I understand that it would mean more material is removed.

Has anyone had experience with this? Or does anyone know if a panel beaters in vic that are knowledgeable in this area?

I would rather not stuff up my own bonnet and not be able to use it.

The two reasons that I am going this route (FYI) is that I would rather have the luxury of pins rather than a looped wire that I currently use for the track.

I also have the issues of the bonnet slightly moving around at high speeds...unfortunately with most things after market it does not fit like factory and I am out of adjustment.

I understand how carbon is weaved hence the concern. Also under the carbon layer there is fiberglass so it is obviously like most bonnets that are made this way...I am also concerned that the resin over the top of the carbon weaving will crack if not done correctly, leading to more cost and potentially some ugliness in the bonnet.

Cheers

Jez

[warps]

Not really sure what your problem is. Most bonnet pins come with a plate for the pin to bear against, spreading the load. the plate is fairly thin, so you could try a thicker one to spread the load more.

Is it a road registered car? Pretty sure that bonnet pins are illegal on the road unless you use the flush mount ones. Why don't you want to use the flush ones? They distribute the load pretty well.

[GT-RZ]

carbon fibre bonnets like yours are fibreglass with a top layer of CF to make it look pretty. even if it was ALL carbon its bonded with resin and will not affect anything if you cut holes in it for bonnet pins...

Edited March 6, 2011 by GT-RZ

[Wheezy]

Not really sure what your problem is. Most bonnet pins come with a plate for the pin to bear against, spreading the load. the plate is fairly thin, so you could try a thicker one to spread the load more.

Is it a road registered car? Pretty sure that bonnet pins are illegal on the road unless you use the flush mount ones. Why don't you want to use the flush ones? They distribute the load pretty well.

The problem is not the pins its cutting into the material...probably going the flush ones, road registered or not bonnet pins are usually ones last worry

carbon fibre bonnets like yours are fibreglass with a top layer of CF to make it look pretty. even if it was ALL carbon its bonded with resin and will not affect anything if you cut holes in it for bonnet pins...

Pretty much, but that is all there is on the market for my car...

I just want to make sure that the resin wont crack and require repair. IE. there would be a specific drill bit that I should be using, IE. pitch etc etc...

[I8EE]

its a quite simple job, ive put them in my carbon bonnet just the other week. . .

http://www.facebook....2b&id=683633649

i used a die grinder and notched it out slowly to get the right size, the pins actually have like a 5-8mm lip which allows it to cover the hole and screw into the bonnet with. . .

Edited March 7, 2011 by I8EE

[GT-RZ]

wel if you get the flush ones you wont be using a drill bit will you.

If you get normals pins and need a hole you will be using a masonry bit. ie no rake. Otherwise the drill bit will bite in to the fibres and crack the resin... As for cutting out the shape for the flush ones you will be using a small grinder, preferably diamond coated however thats probably not within ur budget for the job. We get our grinding disks custom diamond coated. Any large holes should be done with again a diamond coated hole cutter. big sharp teeth may crack the material. have fun.

So in short you shoul be using diamond coated hole saw and cutting disk but if you cant get these any masonry bits for that job will do (normally bits of diamond or ceramic)

[Adriano]

If you get flush pins, i would cut the big hole with a dremel and a sanding drum.

[midnight]

thats exactly what i did for aerocatches, dremel with the reinforce cutting wheel, cleaned it up with the sanding drum.

wear a mask, as the fiberglass / carbon dust isnt real good for you.

Edited March 11, 2011 by midnight

[john-e boi]

Carbon fibre/fibreglass is pretty easy to work with. just make sure you mask with tape around the area you're going to cut, helps from chipping/cracking the area you don't want to damage. Dremel or die grinder will be your best friend.

I'm installing my aerocatch bonnet pins on my gtr bonnet at the moment. Only have a die grinder and because the bonnet is aluminum, when it heats up it melts onto the die grinder, makes it a very long process.

[GTRPowa]

In regards to bonnet flex: I haven't been in a car with a CF bonnet at high speeds, but I've seen a few videos. The bonnets flex in the middle so much it looks like they're about to fly away lol.

[Wheezy]

cheers all, that should be enough info to get me out of trouble.

[n/a_neo_r33]

thats exactly what i did for aerocatches, dremel with the reinforce cutting wheel, cleaned it up with the sanding drum.

wear a mask, as the fiberglass / carbon dust isnt real good for you.

how bad is it for you, just did my bumpers a with a sanding disc an was covered in it without a mask on.

[XKLABA]

Carbon fibre/fibreglass is pretty easy to work with. just make sure you mask with tape around the area you're going to cut, helps from chipping/cracking the area you don't want to damage. Dremel or die grinder will be your best friend.

I'm installing my aerocatch bonnet pins on my gtr bonnet at the moment. Only have a die grinder and because the bonnet is aluminum, when it heats up it melts onto the die grinder, makes it a very long process.

i did the gauge holes in my off-road race cars dash (alloy) took for ever till someone told me there are different die bits for alloy, changed the bit to a alloy one and bingo straight through