I am considering fabricating a custom carbon fiber radiator pipe. Does anyone know if this has been done? Can the carbon fiber withstand the chemical components of the antifreeze? Would love to hear some feedback on this one.
The piping to and from the radiator needs to be able to flex as the engine moves around, and temperature and pressure change. A carbon fiber/epoxy pipe will be rigid.
The piping to and from the radiator needs to be able to flex as the engine moves around, and temperature and pressure change. A carbon fiber/epoxy pipe will be rigid.
Wow, guess I need to get rid of the aluminum tubing FFr sends with the kit, and I've been using for the last three years.
I am considering fabricating a custom carbon fiber radiator pipe. Does anyone know if this has been done? Can the carbon fiber withstand the chemical components of the antifreeze? Would love to hear some feedback on this one.
Thanks!
- Tim
Carbon fiber will resist most chemicals. The resin in the matrix, though can be affected by some chemicals, like brake fluid and acetone. You are still going to have to put a flexible connection like a silicone or rubber hose on each end or it will break from the heat and cooling expansion and contraction. I think you could get titanium for about the same price if weight is a consideration and not the bling factor. Otherwise aluminum can be polished, is much more avaiable, and does a great job.
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Or if you actually have to have the CF look, there are some really nice decal laminates out there that you can wrap aluminum tubing with, or you can laminate real CF over the tubing...
Not a big CF fan myself when it comes to looks... But it's not my boat either so....
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Appreciate all the feedback. The current look is what I don't like (rubber hoses) so I was considering a couple of options and I thought, "Well if I am going to have to fabricate something, what are my choices?" I want to do aluminum but my pipe bender is in storage in another state right now and I am not sure when I am going to pick it up, so I thought why not CF, if learn how to make those parts, just something more to add to my options for making parts in the future.
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A standard carbon tube would be the wrong material for a radiator pipe. Those products are made for high tension and compressive strength. They would be good for bike frames. You would need a cylindrical pressure vessel made out of carbon fiber. Similar to a nitrous tank but not as robust. I am guessing the cost will be too high - use an aluminum or SS tube like the majority.
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Why not a simple hose sleeve/covering kit? I used a nice Mr. Gasket G-sleeve kit on ours and I get lots of compliments. They have a "mixed" color weave that is supposed to simulate carbon fiber.
There's also a company called Techflex that has wire/hose coverings with a carbon look option as well...
2006: 2/14 Delivery by Stewart Transport, 8/15 becomes a roller, 8/26 drivetrain installed, 10/15 first engine start, 12/23 wiring completed, 12/31 body test fit
2007: 2/25 first go-cart, 4/15 leaves for paint, 8/24 paint prep begins, 12/10 paint work completed
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Why not a simple hose sleeve/covering kit? I used a nice Mr. Gasket G-sleeve kit on ours and I get lots of compliments. They have a "mixed" color weave that is supposed to simulate carbon fiber.
What kind of hose clamps do you have under those ends?
2006: 2/14 Delivery by Stewart Transport, 8/15 becomes a roller, 8/26 drivetrain installed, 10/15 first engine start, 12/23 wiring completed, 12/31 body test fit
2007: 2/25 first go-cart, 4/15 leaves for paint, 8/24 paint prep begins, 12/10 paint work completed
2008: 1/7 home from paint, 2/1 titled, tagged, and insured, 3/15 interior complete, 6/2 alignment, 6/4 Graduation
If you want to see what the aluminum pipe, fabbed up verson looks like, let me know and I'll take a pic of mine when I get home tonight. I don't like rubber hoses either and mine came out looking awesome.
Have a good weekend you guys!
Jon
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If ugly black hose isn't for you and carbon fiber is a little too labor intensive, how about silicone hose in various colors with short hidden aluminum joiners between the sections. 3 inch aluminum joiners would not show, just the clamps. Just like a LEGO set, use various angle sections cut to length and join them together.
__________________
Racing: "The world's most efficient way to turn money into noise and smoke"
"Think with your dipstick, Jimmy"
"Anybody can BUY a car, only a chosen few build their own"
FFR Challenge car #4182SP Carbed 302, Holley 600CFM, E303 cam, T5, 3 link rear-3:55, Levy wheels, Kumho tires, Fire Safe fuel cell, Griffin race radiator, ISIS wiring system, MSD 6ALN NASCAR ignition, 85 Mustang distributor,
I have been looking around and see that Breeze has what I may be looking for. They say that it will fit a 302 or a 351 (I have a 302) and was wondering does anyone out there with a 302 have a pic of the Breeze kit on the car? Just want to see what it will look like before I drop a dime on it.
dv/dt - yours looks great, wanna fab one up for me?
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