got $$$ = carbon interior (NICE)
 

some girls like to go to Harry Winston I like ooooing over the carbon bits

$1400 Carbon Rear Center console
$440 Carbon Arm rest/storage
$400 Carbon/Red leather shift knob
$400 Carbon/Red leather e-brake
$540 Carbon Instrument cluster
$800 Carbon vents
$560 Carbon upper console
---------------------
$3500+
:D


http://www.karfiesta.com/images/MACA...96console1.bmp

http://www.karfiesta.com/images/MACA...6instclust.jpg
http://www.karfiesta.com/images/MACA...ppercenter.jpg

some more auto porn

http://cc.porsche.com/pva/mimes/pva/...ayChoosing.jpg


http://www.porsche.com/all/comparemo....aspx?pool=usa

Hi,

IMHO CF Interior Trim is getting Passe'. You see it on everything and to me it's quintessential Ricer. It's non-functional and just Automotive Jewelry as you infer - VERY Expensive Automotive Jewelry (which is where I suspect a lot of the appeal lies... in da Drizzle...).

Now if you're talkin' CF Structural Components, that's a different story, it's truly functional and superior to traditional materials in many ways...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

100% agreement. The plastic gloss just gets scratched up. I don't see why carbon fiber weave is so attractive to people anyhow. Structural carbon fiber--that which people should really drool over--isn't pretty, after all. :)

I don't get the attraction to CF either...but to each their own! That's one of the many unique things about Porsche, you can order & customize them so many different ways.

CF = Ricer???

My first expensive bicycle was carbon monocoque and now even the most coveted Italian bikes are Carbon Fiber. From Bianchis and Colnagos Carbon Fiber bits have migrated into the interiors of the sacred Ferraris. The stuff is everywhere, I even see Carbon Fiber Tag Heur wrist watches. Ferrari makes Carbon Fiber fountain pens! I see Ferraris

I think you are looking at from our homegrown perspective where anything not stock equals "ricer" and you've been influenced from seeing so much cheap and fake Carbon Fiber-look that is glued over existing interiors bits.

japanese imported cars with extensive modifications and 'tastefuly done' are not mutually exclusive. RUF heavily modify their interiors with the same painted and Carbon Fiber methods that you might find in the interior/exterior of
a "riced out" S2000. Does that make RUF = Ricer? Or are they forgiven because they are German products instead of Japanese? Hmmm...

Hi,

Of course, it's My opinion, but when I think of a Pimped-out CF Interior, Ricers do come to mind.

Perhaps it's because CF generally takes over when used. A piece or two can be OK, but it inevitably leads to everything from Ignition surrounds to Heat Vents and Steering Wheels.

I've worked with CF since the early '90's, I have an acquaintance who works as a Tech in a CF Development Lab and with her, we have produced lots of CF Stuff (3D Modeling, shooting Molds, laying up the CF, etc.). It's fairly easy to work with and the Cloth (CF is essentially Polyester Cloth which is Carbonized in an AutoClav) isn't that expensive, nowhere near the premium charged for this stuff.

I don't doubt that your Bike was great, that's what CF was invented for - as a Structural Material - something at which it excels.

Some people may like the Tek look, or may be fascinated by the Bling effect, that's OK, but I'm just not one of them. It isn't that I believe anything other than OEM = Ricer, there are lots of nice (IMHO) upgrades which have been done. And, I even have a set of Custom CF Sill Guards on my Car, but that's where I'll draw the line. Good Luck...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

My only beef with it is that I don't find it aesthetically pleasing, much like 18 karat gold. It's always been used as a "bling" material to trick out a car's interior and none of that CF stuff is actually doing anything.

Perhaps it's just that every honda kiddie out there thinks that a non-painted carbon fiber hood is somehow cool. That bugs me. :)

BUT of course if you like it and have the money to throw at it, to each their own! My friend sells custom carbon fiber interior bits--he has 'em made down in mexico for Dirt Cheap...

well you see in theory all true sportscars should be made as light as possible. The more unecessary weight the more diluted the car becomes.
If you have a pile of interior parts made of OEM plastic and a pile of parts made of CF well obviously you can tell which will be less weight to lug around.
Every little bit counts. That's why Pedals are drilled, wheels are hollow spoked, Aluminum is used for doors now, 15 pound Braille battery vs. 50 pound OEM battery, lighter seats (like mine, way lighter than stock), lighter exhaust & headers. It all can reduce the onboard weight to that of having another occupant in the passenger seat. Otherwise you might as well be driving a porky 911 :p


The object is to save a little bit of weight on every part all over the car. Even the gas pump will thank you. I knew a guy who was able to drop 500 pounds from a Miata! (he had a cf hood).

hehe i don't mean to be mean, but that's just making excuses for yourself. :) If you really wanted to save weight, you'd ditch the stereo, door panels, carpeting, etc. Trim pieces!? Who needs em?

Or, you could buy a lightweight racing battery and save an order of magnitude more weight than just replacing all the lightweight plastic trim pieces with lighter-weight carbon fiber trim pieces, AND it would cost you a hundred times less at least.

Oh wait, did you already do that? :) Not sure. In any case, "light-weight" is a pretty weak excuse for the carbon fiber--you KNOW it's just for vanity's sake. :D

You know, when I first saw Perfectlap's post I thought, "That's just the type of thing I love discussing with my friends - all the little parts and pieces that I'd like to pick up someday". Little add-ons for my Harley or vehicle that helps "make it mine". Personally I'm not a big carbon-fiber type of guy. Wouldn't mind some though. But I really get the passion. Who cares why? Weight, looks, what difference does it make? And I was really curious to see what other little things got Boxster owners adrenaline pumping.

Then I check the rest of the thread and - wow - way to put the brakes on a guy's enthusiasm.

Some of the negativity on this board is staggering.

But hey, that's just MY opinion.

Hi,

Not to pick on you, but talking about saving 1.5lbs. by switching to CF is kinda lame, especially in a Boxster. Ranks right up there with Lite Beer, Fat-Free Hagen das, etc.

Ditching the Sound System, Climate Control, even an extra hour-a-week on the TreadMill will accomplish much more.

The Boxster is very portly as compared to what it could have been if Porsche was not forced to appeal to such a broad market by adding all those Plush (read Heavy) Creature Comforts.

Pull the Stereo, AC, Spare, Carpet, Trunk/Boot Liners, revert to a non-glass top and then talk to me about weight...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Y'know it's funny but on the Porsche forums we all seem to have a habit of thinking that we all have to be Nothing But Supportive at all times. I've never seen any other car brand forum that's like that. Some guy could post a lime green interior with a pink paint job and we'd all be expected to raise a glass and toast him. :D

I have a semi full Artic Silver interior and I do plan on adding to it. I dont see why carbon fiber is any different. I am not a big fan of carbon fiber (just dont like the way it looks) but some do like it, and i have no problem with painted interiors.

**I recently did add Artic Silver painted trim pieces to my car...Will post picks when I get a chance**

well no one said I was trying to make my BoxsterS into an Elise! :p

The Boxster is not a pure sports car like the Elise or GT3 which is no good for daily driving. Certain concessions have to be made for daily/street use. Which means every where else there should be an efffort to choose things that will make the car lighter. If you like CF and Aluminum equally the lesser of two weights should apply. But of course like intakes, headers etc mods, one has to consider at what price?!

I will be replacing the battery with the 15 pound braile! actually I think I'll do it before Autocross/Track season gets underway. :D
No matter how insignificant, its not any one item but the sum of all the parts.
I chose my Carrera wheels first because they were 10 pounds lighter (per wheel) as well as my GT3 seats. With the Battery upgrade and lighter tires and we're down over 150 pounds(the phantom passenger not sitting in your car anymore) If either my seats or wheels were heavier than stock I would definitely have passed. More $$$$ to go slower???? :confused:

This season I'll be using the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups which are lighter than my Toyo RA-1's and grippier. Its always better to run a lighter tire than a lighter wheel with a heavy tire (if that makes sense).

p.s.
Carbon Fiber is Beaauuutifull! But I see the argument that its not so great looking everywhere. And Porsche could have used a nicer looking Carbon weave. But Composites are great, Been a fance since 1990 when I bought my first Carbon bike.

Correct me if I am wrong but the greatest weight saving is in the tire/wheel combo as unsprung weight is mush more speed limiting.

I think the ratio is somewhere around 4 to one, so saving 40 pounds on your tires/rims nets you about 160pounds of weight gain..

I read this a while a go so my memory may not be accurate so please correct me if I am wrong.

Mike

Hey, eslai, are you bustin on my lime green, carbon fiber dash???

Haha if you had actually spent money to have a lime green, carbon fiber dash fabricated, I don't think I'd have a right to say a damned thing. :D

Yeah, it was a bundle, but seemed just the thing to go with my pink full-leather seats, shifter and brake handle! Now, if only I can find matching floormats...

I'm not a physicist (since I can't spell it) but momentum + lesser weight = quicker acceleration and faster cornering.

Hi,

Weight (or more appropriately Mass) is a Factor in Momentum - P=MV... Objects in motion are said to have a Momentum. This Momentum is a Vector. It has a size and a direction. The size of the Momentum is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by the size of the object's Velocity (Speed). The direction of the Momentum is the same as the direction of the object's Velocity. So the more Mass (weight) an object has, the more Momentum it will have for a given Speed...

The Principle does not apply in this case, nor does Unsprung Weight, so far as Acceleration is concerned, Weight is Weight... period.

Acceleration is a Vector quantity which is defined as "the rate at which an object changes its velocity." An object is Accelerating if it is changing its Velocity. It increases it's Velocity by adding more Force from the Engine. By reducing the Overall, not just Unsprung, Weight, resistance is overcome more easily leaving additional Power to make the Car go even Faster.

Unsprung Weight is the Mass of the Suspension, Wheels and other components directly connected to them, rather than supported by the Suspension. (The Mass of the Body and other components supported by the Suspension is the Sprung Weight.)

Unsprung Weight includes the Weight of components such as the Wheels, Spindles, Wheel Bearings, Tires, and a portion of the weight of Driveshafts, Springs, Shock Absorbers, and Suspension Links. If the vehicle's brakes are mounted outboard (i.e., within the Wheel as is the Boxster), their weight is also part of the Unsprung Weight.

The Reaction Forces of the Wheels to bumps and surface imperfections are transmitted by the Suspension to the Body. The greater the Unsprung Weight, the larger the forces exerted on the Body. Therefore, the smoothness and stability of the Ride and the Mechanical Loads are closely related to the ratio of Unsprung Weight to Sprung Weight.

The Inertia of the Unsprung Weight affects the Suspension's ability to follow the shape of the Road, or Track. As a result, high Unsprung Weight has a negative effect on overall Handling and Braking ability, especially on imperfect surfaces. This results in having to traverse this Road at Lower Speed to keep control of the Car, you cannot allow the car to go as Fast as if the ratio of Unsprung to Sprung Weight were more favorable.

Sorry, I did take a lot of Physics, it was my minor...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I agree with denverpete and don't really care to see the facts, the comparisons or the history thereof. Rather I think it's nice to see the opinions resulting from the release of adrenaline/epinephrine (or dihydroxyphenylmethylaminoethanol for those historically minded souls who want to avoid using "propriatary" names). Liked the pics. Good luck getting enough $$

I think what 99-Boxster-MK is thinking of is that the diameter of a wheel can affect the acceleration of the car. People that plus-size their wheels can see a small effect on their 1/4 mile times for instance.

This is because of the bigger wheel usually being heavier than the smaller wheel, and the weight being distributed further out along the axis of rotation.

However, if you're really seeing a decrease in performance because of a slight increase in wheel weight and diameter, the problem is likely that your car is severely underpowered. It's more of a 100-150 HP car problem than a 240 HP problem.