Getty Carbon parts-Feedback request

cknaak · 12-31-2015, 09:56 AM

I've read some threads on this but I'm not getting a definitive answer so I thought I would throw this out there.

I recently built a pretty nice Backdate using fiberglass body panels. I loved the weight reduction, but didn't like all the work that it took to make it fit nice and the perceived lower quality versus steel/Carbon/kevlar. For part of the build I bought a very nice carbon panel from Helion composites. It was a work of art, light weight, and strong. I thought to myself, I need carbon for my next build. If Helion built fenders, hoods, bumpers, I would buy them.

SO here I am. I'm starting my next project using a 70 roller with a 3.6. I guess I dont really need weight reduction but the lighter I make it the faster it will be. Yes the car will be dual purpose(mostly street but the occasional track day). If I can find carbon parts that a bit lighter, stronger than FG, and have a nice fit an finish I'm ok with added cost to a point

I have pinged Getty and DP Motorsports specifically, to get feed back from them on their manufacturing process. I want to make sure these are legit parts. Not "just for looks" crap. I haven't been able to get a lot of detail at this point with the holidays.

SO I'm looking for anybody that may have experience with Getty(or other vendors) Carbon parts to help fill some of these gaps.

Overall Quality?
Fit and Finish?
Strength?

Disclaimers-I know Steel will always be the best OEM finish, there could be safety concerns, could impact resale, so on and so forth.

Thanks for your input. Happy New Year!

uwanna · 11:21 AM

You might want to ask a Pelican named TURBOBRAT930. Here's a pic of his car that has both carbon front fenders and I think rear quarters and hood. They are beautiful!

Cory M · 12-31-2015, 02:32 PM

Fit is a product of the mold. The molds used for fiberglass and carbon parts is most likely the same. So don't expect the parts to fit better just because they are carbon. Weight is a product of the amount of glass/carbon and resin used. Depending on how it is done there could be a significant savings, or none at all...

cknaak · 12-31-2015, 03:19 PM

Cory M, understand. That makes sense. So the big question, who does it the best and offers thier products for sale to the public? Getty apparently makes some of the best fitting fiberglass so I assume thier Carbon products are great too.

You did make me think of another question. Sometimes after fiberglass parts are created they warp to to temperature and other outside forces. Anyone know if carbon fiber parts doe this? Doesn't matter how nice your mold is if the parts warp during shipment or while they're waiting to be installed.

gliding_serpent · gliding_serpent's Garage

I can't speak to Getty's CF stuff. I have their duck in fiberglass, which needed work but was great. Nothing fundamentally wrong, and the end product met my high standards. It was not a 5 footer. I can get a few inches from it and still feel happy. But I basically told my bodyshop to make it perfect.

I have Getty fiberglass bumpers (front and rear). I have not tried fitting them yet, but they look good. I suspect some massaging like all products.

What I will mention is that Getty has "street" and "race" layups, at least for their fiberglass stuff. The street versions use more glass/resin, and weigh a bit more, but gain back in being more rugged. I am only guessing, but I suspect that lighter layups are more prone to warping and imperfections as they would have less internal strength. Of note, my front bumper was 13 lbs, and the rear is 9. Both felt a bit lighter than that when compared to free weights, but that is hardly scientific. The front bumper also had a vertical reinforcing/mounting strip below where the smile would be. I suspect this is a design element that helps prevent warping right under the front hood... an area that many aftermarket bumpers have issue with when you really start studying photos. I know some people will reinforce this area with balsa and fiberglass for the rennspeed bumpers... which are quite affordable.

Or maybe I just got a bit off topic.

That makes me wonder if some of the "cheaper" fiberglass parts that you see on the market for our cars are saving money due to using less resin/glass. And some of those are known to warp. Just speculation.

gliding_serpent · gliding_serpent's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by cknaak

Sometimes after fiberglass parts are created they warp to to temperature and other outside forces. Anyone know if carbon fiber parts doe this? Doesn't matter how nice your mold is if the parts warp during shipment or while they're waiting to be installed.

No idea on carbon fiber. For fiberglass, Getty advises that you mount your parts immediately. If fitment is terrible, you know immediately. Then you basically live with your parts in resin, and "post cure" them with heat/sun. That way any bubbles that are going to come through the resin will, and presumably any slight warping can be compensated for by the bodyshop. Parts can and often do change after they leave the mold, and can still do so with post curing. That is why they advise post curing with heat with the part properly mounted in place as intended, less likely to change in a way you don't want it to as it is bolted down. No use painting and filling until you know the whole story, and you won't now that until you get your part bolted on the car, and nice and hot a few times.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 12-31-2015, 04:57 PM

Christian, Todd is making CF hoods, ask him. Helion's parts are some of the best in the industry.

tips · 12-31-2015, 05:35 PM

There's a horror story On another forum where some average guy decided to buy DP Carbon wings. The fit wasn't so great and it took many paid hours to fit. He eventually couldn't pay the bodyshop bills and sold them the car instead.

I like DP and have bought a bunch of parts from them with no issues but that story made me not consider those fenders.

cknaak · 01-02-2016, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Christian, Todd is making CF hoods, ask him. Helion's parts are some of the best in the industry.

I pinged him yesterday and was surprised to learn about all hes working on over there fo 2016. The challenge is I'm looking for pre 73 widebody/RSR style parts and I know the market is VERY small for carbon fenders, bumpers, etc. Most of what he's making will be for 74+ cars. It does sound like he may be making a long hood in Carbon which I will definitely buy.

The roof skin I bought was amazing work and I expect his other products would be the same.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 01-02-2016, 05:11 PM

Just saw your car on Todd's FB, I think anyway since it mentions a roof skin. if it is, car looks phenomenal!

cknaak · 01-02-2016, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Just saw your car on Todd's FB, I think anyway since it mentions a roof skin. if it is, car looks phenomenal!

That's it! Thanks Shaun,I was very happy with the way she turned out. I actually sold her about a month or so ago to fund my 3.6 70 911T hot rod build. I miss her dearly but can't keep them all.

clutch-monkey · 01-02-2016, 05:29 PM

i'd love to try getty but their shipping is useless. will be going local instead.