GT Racing Carbon Fiber Dash Top

VFR750 · 11-12-2006, 02:58 PM

Has anyone installed a GT Racing Carbon Fiber or Fiberglass Dash top?

The leather on my dash pad has shrunk and distorted the whole pad structure. I thought about a plastic dash cover (Coverlay) but it will not sit over the leather without significant amount of "recontouring" of the existing pad.

Replacement Dash pads are over $1000, and my pad is not salvagable.

I noticed a Cup car with a trick CF dash pad, and thought that would look nice. GT Racing makes one, but I would like to know who has done this and do they like it. The CF dash top is only $350 ($240 for the Fiberglass.)

Is it a cover, or do you replace the whole dash pad with the "dash top" as GT Racing calls it?

How does it attach to the steel structure of the car?

Does it rattle and make noise?

Par911 · 11-12-2006, 03:15 PM

I don't have any experience with the GT racing dash butI have a fiberglass dash top that I got from Damon, "Series900". It is a great piece, I did have to use a dremel to cut some of the corners to get a nice fit, but it isn't that much work. I pop riveted it and used screws to keep it in place. I also rattle canned it with Wurth Satin black. I am very pleased with it, it doesn't rattle or make any noise at all. I'm also using 5 point harnesses and a TRE roll bar.

DohertyCM · DohertyCM's Garage

I asked the same question some time ago and got no answers.

I called GT and they said it was a dash replacement. What I want to know is, Can i recover it in leather or vinyl and make it look somewhat stock, otherwise not like a cheap piece of plastic sitting on top of my dash.

So I am subscribing to see what answers you get.

Chris

VFR750 · 11-12-2006, 03:58 PM

PAR911,
I figured it was a replacement dash, and not just a cover. But how do they recommend you install it? I will call them, But I was looking for independant answers too. What did you rivet it to? Did you have to make brackets to hold it to the steel frame?

DohertyCM,
I saw a CF dash top installed, and it looked nice with the weave showing.

I think the basic problem of skinning any dash is the amount of curvature exceeds the ability of leather or vinyl to stretch. The leather dash has a big seam. (mine of course is split wide open) Vinyl can be modled to fit, but adding vinyl sheet, will likely need to be pieced together.

jorian · 11-12-2006, 04:19 PM

I thought I saw one of these in catca's garage the other night. It's not actually in his car yet but , maybe he has some insight.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 11-12-2006, 04:41 PM

you may want to check these links out:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/168286-installing-fiberglass-dash.html#post1509804

DashTop™ dash "caps" are not bad!

slammed1000 · 11-12-2006, 06:07 PM

i purchased a gt racing carbon dash. it is ment to be installed into a race car where the dash is cut out. i decided to just sell it as it was not much money to cut up....

Par911 · 11-13-2006, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by VFR750
PAR911,
I figured it was a replacement dash, and not just a cover. But how do they recommend you install it? I will call them, But I was looking for independant answers too. What did you rivet it to? Did you have to make brackets to hold it to the steel frame?

Hi Mike, yes, it replaces the old dash. Mine was cracked beyond repair, so rather than dump $1000 for a new one, I opted for fiberglass. My 911 is a street/track whore so it benefits from the weight savings as well. Damon suggested a couple methods for installation, the option which I chose is a method that he mentioned he uses on the race cars he installs them for. Basically I pop riveted the dash in front of the dash, and all the way forward near the windshield. I used the former screw holes as a guide when drilling into the steel frame. I didn't want to get too involved with it like Shaun84targa, so I just used some 3m body hardner to mate it to the steel frame. Between the harder and the rivets, it's not going anywhere unless I try to rip it out with excessive force. I will take some photos for you when I get home.

MotoSook · 11-13-2006, 06:46 AM

OT...but what's a good used, crack free dash worth?

Pari...I'm thinking about a CF dash for "Bastard." Hurry up and post pictures!

Jeff Alton · 11-13-2006, 08:53 AM

I do have one in my garage and was still searching for the right way to attatch it to my car. Yes, like others said, it is a replacement for the padded factory dash top. I like what Shaun did in those threads nut the idea of rivets and some bonding material mentioned also sounds like it should work well too!

Cheers

MotoSook · 11-13-2006, 09:43 AM

Jeff, from Shauns thread and what I've seem in the other threads, the CF/FG dash is just a shell of the dash, so a standoff or some sport is needed. That's not a big deal, IMO. What I'd like to know is if the shell leaves unsightly gaps that would have nomally been filled by the thicker stock dash. How visible are the gaps? Can you see the gaps through the windshield? From the cockpit?

dd74 · 11-13-2006, 10:38 AM

Quick question: does the windshield need to be removed to install a new dash top?

Tsunamiboy · Tsunamiboy's Garage

Check out the recovering option from Camp 914. I don't see why they couldn't recover 911 dash as well? Seems like a afordable option

http://www.camp914.com/products/interior.html

VFR750 · 11-13-2006, 01:38 PM

dd74,

Yes the windshield has to come out. "Fortunately" :-( my windshield just got a small crack from a stone. So now I am officially in the fix the dash mode.

My leather is about 1/2 the original size!! Remember how "if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit" Well, leather + water = mega-shrink. The forces created by shinking leather should not be underestimated. My dash is waffled by a leather skin that is far too small for the underlying plastic to hold shape.

PO had a water leak and started the process. My ill advised efforts to rejuvinate the leather with creams and conditioners just reactivated the shrinking. I should have left the rock hard leather alone. Instead, it softened up, and started to shink some more. The seam finally split under the stress.

Shaun 84 Targa,
I like the work that you did. A couple of years down the road, is it still rattle free?