turboaccord98
Well-Known Member
Okay first of all you may be wondering why would I make something like this? Those of you with the fidanza short shift adapter know that it pops off the shifter console when you shift to reverse sometimes and besides I needed an excuse to start working with carbon fiber. This piece sits higher so it wont hit the shifter since the stock piece is snap in and hieght cannot be adjusted. So with that said here we go. This is something anyone can do, this was my first time working with the stuff although I have done fiberglass work before.
Supplies:
carbon fiber fabric(one yard is more than enough) -$40
Fiberglass coth(1 yard)-$7
High density 1/4 inch foam/or honey comb-$10
Surfboard polyester resin(1 quart) -$20
Mylar film(one yard) -$7
Paint rollers(1 should be fine)
2 flat pieces of wood
dremel
screws
screw driver
center punch
high density foam
fiberglass cloth
paint roller
Safety equipment:
respirator
long sleeves
gloves
Ok to start off measure out the piece and cut out one piece of carbon fiber, 3 or 4 pieces of fiberglass, one piece of foam and 2 pieces of mylar film. These should be a little bit bigger than the piece will be to allow some room for error when laying the materials.
After all the materials are cut you will need to find a well ventilated place to work and lay your first flat piece of wood down. On top of this you will make your carbon/fiberglass and foam sandwich. The surfboard resin will give you about 15 to 20 minutes to work which is way more time than you need so take your time.
First lay down a piece of mylar film. Then use the paint roller to coat it with resin. Now you will lay 2 to 2 layers of fiberglass cloth rolling on some resin in between layers. Next you will lay down the foam and on top of that 1-2 layers of fiberglass and on top of that will be the carbon fiber. Now you will lay down a piece of mylar and then another board on top of all that. Place something heavy on top of the board, I used boxes of random stuff that I had but anything will work.
The weights will act as a vacuum bag pressing the excess resin out and making the piece stronger. Let it sit like that overnight to make sure it is cured.
When it is dry take off the weights and peel off the mylar. If you have any sort of bubbles or imperfections wet sand them out with 600 grit and work your way up to get a good finish.
Now for the fun part cutting it out!(Make sure you wear a mask, eye protection and long sleeves)
I traced the outline on a piece of mylar and then taped it to the carbon panel to use as a template. On my dremel I used a reinforced cutting wheel to get the basic outline and then used sanders to smooth out the cuts
Now before you cut off too much bring the part inside the car and test fit it and trim where it is neccesary.
I also grinded off the bottom layers of fiberglass and the foam where the short shift adapter was hitting to fix the problem.
If it fits snug then take your shift boot off the old part and off the plastic frame so you have just the leather part. Then screw it to the underside of the carbon panel with very short screws.
Now just find 4 spots for mounting screws and mount the new part!! Finished!!
While I was at it I took the nut off that goes under the skunk2 shift knob and had to cut about a 1/4 inch off the knob so it would be shorter. I thought this was a cool pic.
Let me know if you guys have any questions I would be happy to help. this is my first time doing any sort of write up and also my first time posting pics so sorry if they dont work.
Supplies:
carbon fiber fabric(one yard is more than enough) -$40
Fiberglass coth(1 yard)-$7
High density 1/4 inch foam/or honey comb-$10
Surfboard polyester resin(1 quart) -$20
Mylar film(one yard) -$7
Paint rollers(1 should be fine)
2 flat pieces of wood
dremel
screws
screw driver
center punch
high density foam
fiberglass cloth
paint roller
Safety equipment:
respirator
long sleeves
gloves
Ok to start off measure out the piece and cut out one piece of carbon fiber, 3 or 4 pieces of fiberglass, one piece of foam and 2 pieces of mylar film. These should be a little bit bigger than the piece will be to allow some room for error when laying the materials.
After all the materials are cut you will need to find a well ventilated place to work and lay your first flat piece of wood down. On top of this you will make your carbon/fiberglass and foam sandwich. The surfboard resin will give you about 15 to 20 minutes to work which is way more time than you need so take your time.
First lay down a piece of mylar film. Then use the paint roller to coat it with resin. Now you will lay 2 to 2 layers of fiberglass cloth rolling on some resin in between layers. Next you will lay down the foam and on top of that 1-2 layers of fiberglass and on top of that will be the carbon fiber. Now you will lay down a piece of mylar and then another board on top of all that. Place something heavy on top of the board, I used boxes of random stuff that I had but anything will work.
The weights will act as a vacuum bag pressing the excess resin out and making the piece stronger. Let it sit like that overnight to make sure it is cured.
When it is dry take off the weights and peel off the mylar. If you have any sort of bubbles or imperfections wet sand them out with 600 grit and work your way up to get a good finish.
Now for the fun part cutting it out!(Make sure you wear a mask, eye protection and long sleeves)
I traced the outline on a piece of mylar and then taped it to the carbon panel to use as a template. On my dremel I used a reinforced cutting wheel to get the basic outline and then used sanders to smooth out the cuts
Now before you cut off too much bring the part inside the car and test fit it and trim where it is neccesary.
I also grinded off the bottom layers of fiberglass and the foam where the short shift adapter was hitting to fix the problem.
If it fits snug then take your shift boot off the old part and off the plastic frame so you have just the leather part. Then screw it to the underside of the carbon panel with very short screws.
Now just find 4 spots for mounting screws and mount the new part!! Finished!!
While I was at it I took the nut off that goes under the skunk2 shift knob and had to cut about a 1/4 inch off the knob so it would be shorter. I thought this was a cool pic.
Let me know if you guys have any questions I would be happy to help. this is my first time doing any sort of write up and also my first time posting pics so sorry if they dont work.
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....first paragraph explains why.....
