Nice, but if you guys could get the roof done, why didn't you get the hood and trunk done by who ever makes that nice roof.

 

Here are some early pics of our Carbon/Kevlar Roof. Our standard version is just standard Carbon fiber.

This version has a yellow hue to it because there is kevlar weaved into the roof







Here is a closeup pic of the one off roof and some of the custom steering wheel hub

 

When you have a carbon fiber piece made from scratch you don't just have to pay for the item you also have to pay for the mold. For instance on the EVO VIII and X CF roofs we paid to make the mold. Which is why you cannot call prototype composites and and order from them directly.

Making four molds for the door would be very $$$$ and considering they already exist it would not be a wise business decision. I'm sure the prototype composites ones would be lighter and a higher quality piece but they would also be much more expensive. For most people the Seibon units fit the job just fine.

Eric

 

Ok thanks for the answer explains alot.

 

man that is such a great build. cant wait to see this one in action. great build as always.

 

could have done a how-to with the roof atleast

 

The X roof is a harder than the 8/9 roof in some ways and easier in others.

The 8/9 roof is spot welded to the chassis (steel roof) and its very time consuming to drill each spot weld out. Once they are out, the roof pretty much pops off. There is a sealant between the roof and the body that lends very little structural support to the assembly.

The X roof is riveted to the chassis (aluminum roof). Using a spot weld drill, its easy to drill around the rivet through the aluminum. The issue with the X roof is that it is actually bonded to the body also. There is a very hard epoxy that keeps the roof secured to the body adding structural support. Getting the epoxy to let go was tough to do while avoiding damaging the body. This was my first X roof so the next one should be easier and I will try some different methods of getting the epoxy to let go. I am pretty sure that next time I will not try to save the roof from damage.

 

Ivan- this might be a stupid question but i know that the standard roof on evos are welded/rivited on, how would the carbon/kevlar piece stay in place?

 

We use aluminum big head rivets and a product called Speed Grip which is used for bonding panels together. Speed Grip goes down and then I have 5 min to get holes drilled and rivets installed.

 

Thats awesome! Carbon fiber ftw. This a great teardown/build up.

But you should of kept the HID's in they just make the front end look so much better.. Im sure they don't really add that much weight. tsk tsk

 

Man that is awesome.

 

2 lbs per side. 4 lbs off the most important end of the Evo.

 

omg 4 lbs, thats like...... nothing lol

 

Every bit counts when you're aiming to be the fastest.

 

4lbs doesnt seem like much but every pound counts. I could have skipped the work on the front passenger door and not got that 5lbs out or the 8lbs out of each rear door or the 9 lbs of sound deadening or the 6 lbs of carpet backing or the 9 lbs of trunk plastics etc etc etc... It all adds up though. Just those things I listed above is 49 lbs!!! Its a lot of work but every pound counts..

Besides.. we are not interested in showing off nice headlights... we prefer to show off our nice TAIL LIGHTS!!!