Fiberglass fenders+street

[Eric Hahl]

I'm in the process of building a lightweight street car and I'm wondering what you think of using fiberglass fenders, flares and bumpers? Can it be done and still look very presentable? Any draw backs in doing this? Anything special need to be done to protect the inside of fenders or flares from rocks kicked up?

[DW SD]

rhino liner type of products have been successfully used on the inside. My neighbor used a DIY product successfully on a utility trailer. This saved significant $ over something at a shop.

Doug

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Having been carrying a steel front fender around for the last few days, in the process of painting it outdoors, I can't imagine that a fiberglass fender plus a rhino liner would be that much lighter...

[DW SD]

FG would still likely be lighter and they are readily available and cheaper, as well as ship-able.
bumpers are a no brainer, if you are prepared to sacrifice some crash safety.

Doug

[Shawn 357]

Another option is spraying the expanding home insulation that is really sticky on the undersides of the fenders.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Can't imagine the fenders are cheaper. After I admitted that I paid PartsHeaven $500 for mine, a Pelican told me that the going rate for used 911 fenders is, as I remember, as little as $150 for a non-rare midyear production car.

Agree on the bumpers, though. I have fiberglass mock-IROC front and rear ends and have removed all the stock bumper hardware and rams, etc.

[DW SD]

Depends what you want and can find locally. Metal doesn't ship that well. One false move by UPS or a lazy packer and you have a dented (or worse) mess.

And if you want widebody fenders, they are not easy to find and expensive either used or new in metal. I was thinking this was why the original metal fenders aren't under consideration. Very possibly a false assumption.

Really, we need more info as to the poster's motivation. All this is speculation.

Doug

[Eric Hahl]

Yeah, I was thinking widebody, I wonder what the going rate is for a good pair of 930 fenders? Even the weld on flares are expensive.

[afterburn 549]

Yes to bumpers as they are mechanically fastened (bolts) been around the block at least once...and in my opinion there is no way you can get the bond you need to keep your fenders on for awhile..Like said the diff in weight is a big Q. W.O. the ever weighing them I cant say, but on the rears It will be a toss I guess...and problems

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

Having been carrying a steel front fender around for the last few days, in the process of painting it outdoors, I can't imagine that a fiberglass fender plus a rhino liner would be that much lighter...

=-exactly

the liner will add wt. but w/o it you will be inn trouble soon

this is the wrong end to lighten anyway!

do f & r bumpers, deck lid first

[KTL]

Originally Posted by RWebb

this is the wrong end to lighten anyway!

do f & r bumpers, deck lid first

Are you feeling alright? <--- You forgot to mention the mag 915

[DW SD]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Yeah, I was thinking widebody, I wonder what the going rate is for a good pair of 930 fenders? Even the weld on flares are expensive.

I was thinking $1200+ each for new metal 930 fronts. Pelican can confirm pricing. Finding used ones that you can bring home would be ideal. Used they are probably $1k + for a good pair.

Doug

[DW SD]

Eric,
You could also use something lighter than rhino liner. And the liner doesn't have to be as thick as you'd put on a truck. The applicator has significant amount of control.
Poke around pelican, there are others who've successfully addressed this issue with the use of FG front fenders, including Jack Olsen.

Anyone remember his car? I think there are a few posts around here about it. Key words (BBII + fenders) may turn up some info.

Doug

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by KTL

Are you feeling alright? <--- You forgot to mention the mag 915

ya know, i apologize if if you feel i tread ypon some religious icon of yours

be a good boy and let it drop

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by DW SD

Eric,
You could also use something lighter than rhino liner. And the liner doesn't have to be as thick as you'd put on a truck. The applicator has significant amount of control.
Poke around pelican, there are others who've successfully addressed this issue with the use of FG front fenders, including Jack Olsen.

Anyone remember his car? I think there are a few posts around here about it. Key words (BBII + fenders) may turn up some info.

Doug

remember, he wants to "build[] a lightweight street car"

he lives in th PNW

FG fenders are not a high priority item

you might post what you've done so far.... the next $1,000 will be pretty obvious then

also, look at the writeups on Rdane's car

plus the data i compiled at:
http://www.penaltykicker.com/911/data/

[KTL]

Originally Posted by RWebb

ya know, i apologize if if you feel i tread ypon some religious icon of yours

be a good boy and let it drop

I will if you will.


G50 is no icon. It's actually quite a rattle trap but at the same time very durable. I just like pointing out the flawed logic you propose when suggesting a mag 915 instead of a G50.

Back on topic. I agree the 'glass fenders are not a worthwhile investment for a street car. The weight savings is nominal and practicality is questionable, given the interior abuse they take. Save weight elsewhere and go with lexan windows......... NOT. JUST KIDDING!!!

But just the flares themselves are not a bad idea. Graft them on properly and you gain the flares you want with the durability of the steel main sections. Bumpers are a huge improvement from a weight and appearance (subjective) standpoint.

[Eric Hahl]

Thanks all, I actually sent Jack a PM about BB2 earlier. I was curious what he thought of the fit of his fiberglass parts. Maybe he'll see this and just reply here.

What do I want to do the car and what I've done so far?...Well, I haven't done much except start pulling parts off. I have an 85 3.2 that's a blast to drive but it needs some little things done to make it better. Stuff like suspension bushings, oil leaks, etc. I figured while I was in there I might as well start the restoration/modifications. I purchased it with the intent of having fun out in the garage modifying it, making it more personalized anyway.

After being on this forum for a while I started to understand the benefits of lightness and that will certainly be part of what I do to the car. I still haven't made up my mind on what style I want the car be. Heck, I might even keep it stock and just go for the ClubSport look. I've got admit though, the wide bodies can be real sexy looking and that's when I started thinking about fiberglass fenders, flares and such, to help keep it light.

I am also going to do all the work myself and I'll have a lot of questions and a lot to learn as I do it. So that's why the questions about fiberglass. I really know nothing about fiberglass fenders for street use and I wonder if they can even be made to look presentable or what it takes to make them last. Or, do I forget the fiberglass fender/flares and just try to find steel flares or fenders? I don't know how to weld yet...but I'll learn, its all part of the fun. Maybe this discussion will lead me down a different path, who knows. I sure appreciate the advice anyway.

[RWebb]

i'd just leave the fenders be for now.

do the stuff i mentioned above and throw away all the heavy stuff you don't need

download look thru that table i made - it is you guide to light wt.
info on jack's car is in there yho his is not super light like the grant g & jim calzia cars - cites in my table

jack's car is loaded with tricks tho - you will be able to find info what tyson did by the links i give

[RWebb]

budget?

[pksystems]

Nobody is making kevlar fenders yet?