Fiberglass Trunk Lid (Interest)

[ctrlraven]

As in my hunt to break into the 12's I am going to be exploring into lightweight replacement parts.

IF reasonable priced is there anyone interested in having a fiberglass trunk lid (stock like)? Produced by the same company who made the fiberglass cowl hoods (Class Glass Performance).

I've already contacted them and awaiting their response.

Owners, if this somehow violates anything PM me about it. This is not a group buy as of right now (nor will it probably being one) and just to gauge interest in desire for a replacement part to be made and none and I repeat NONE of the current vendors offers any alike part to this so it should not violate vendor/sponsor agreement.

If anyone else wants to spread the word around please feel free to and post the link of the thread so I can get a headcount.


Interested:
Ctrlraven
TooManyFords (plus fenders and doors)
Blackened300A
Blown 3.8
centexmarauder
vonirkinshtine (plus fenders)
DTRMiguel

[TooManyFords]

Ask about doors and front fenders at the same time!

[ctrlraven]

Ask about doors and front fenders at the same time!

I could see fenders maybe but door skins, that would take some money. Hood, front fenders, doors and trunk lid that some serious weight reduction.

[Blackened300a]

Interested here.

[Blown3.8]

interested

[High-C]

I am patiently awaiting the Group Buy on Nutri-System for men... There's two tenths for most of us. :burnout:

[ctrlraven]

I am patiently awaiting the Group Buy on Nutri-System for men... There's two tenths for most of us. :burnout:

SHHHHHHHHH don't say that, I don't want this thread locked and tossed in the back.

[centexmarauder]

carbon fiber roof, lexan windows, and those cool painted on lights that look so real. but seriously, im interested.

[vonirkinshtine]

I'm interested as well. Like TooManyFords said, check on front fenders as well. Hoods would be good too.

[DTRMiguel]

Me R in :D

[O's Fan Rich]

But then you're not getting a "real" Marauder into the 12's n/a are you?
Isn't the goal to get a full as produced Marauder into the 12's with no power adder or bigger motor?
You're confusing me.

All the weight reduction will cheapen the "win" in my opinion.

[DTRMiguel]

But then you're not getting a "real" Marauder into the 12's n/a are you?
Isn't the goal to get a full as produced Marauder into the 12's with no power adder or bigger motor?
You're confusing me.

All the weight reduction will cheapen the "win" in my opinion.

Rich u r not a sore loser are you?

[Pops]

Rich u r not a sore loser are you?

Dont think he is Mike. It started out to get a NA car in the 12s. It is not easy to do! Removing weight would help but remember to take 1/2 second off you need to remove 500 pounds or more. This race for the 12s will take a serious tuner and the risk of losing an engine! Good luck to you guys, I tried and it did not work. :D

[O's Fan Rich]

Rich u r not a sore loser are you?

Not at all Mikey. I'm just pointing out that the idea, as I thought it was, is to get a Marauder, stock weight into the 12's N/A like you can by putting a supercharger on it.
This would then show us supercharged "cheaters" how it's done by true hotrodders.

[O's Fan Rich]

Oh, and I have not lost anything.... nor will I if someone accomplishes this.

[TooManyFords]

But then you're not getting a "real" Marauder into the 12's n/a are you?
Isn't the goal to get a full as produced Marauder into the 12's with no power adder or bigger motor?
You're confusing me.

All the weight reduction will cheapen the "win" in my opinion.

OMG! Large Spider chasing me!
http://www.cvmusclecars.com/images/omgwtfbbt.gif

You're starting to sound like Tom!! N/A means no power adder, everything else is GAME ON!

[Dragcity]

You know, the engine prolly weighs 500 Lb. Take that out and you are there.....

[Blown3.8]

You're starting to sound like Tom!! N/A means no power adder, everything else is GAME ON!

Exactly. If you can't touch the engine internally, you have to do something. Cause we all know a stock Marauder will never go 12's let alone 13's.

[2ndMDRebel]

I can see the signatures now...

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 12s"

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 12s with the glovebox installed"

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 12s with glovebox installed and 3 gauges in the center pod"

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 12s with glovebox installed, 3 gauges in the center pod, two a-pillar gauges, non-carbon fiber trunk lid, with full weight COP connector wires, driver ate lunch, and a quarter two nickels 4 pennies in the driver door armrest recess"

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 11s, body off frame weight reduction mod only"


C'mon guys, lets keep it fun! I do believe this is the year we'll be seeing the first 9 second power-added Marauder and a 12 second N/A 4.6 Marauder. Remember what Thomas Edison said when he was trying to invent the lightbulb... "I have not failed. I've just found ten-thousand ways that won't work." Now its just a matter of who will find the magic combination, the right mix of parts and software that gets the job done. Of course, you could take my version of that quote... "I have not failed. I've just found tens of thousands of dollars of ways that won't work." The only difference is Edison ended up with a working lightbulb and I ended up, well, nevermind.

[PantherP71]

I would be interested in some glass.

Fenders would be awesome.

[O's Fan Rich]

Exactly. If you can't touch the engine internally, you have to do something. Cause we all know a stock Marauder will never go 12's let alone 13's.

I think the game is stock displacement, Chris.

All the talk was the car as is in the 12's I thought. Guess I was wrong....
Or some are realizing the difficulty involved perhaps?

Not sure.... but this sure is fun and I like spiders.

[Blackened300a]

I can see the signatures now...

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 12s"

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 12s with the glovebox installed"

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 12s with glovebox installed and 3 gauges in the center pod"

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 12s with glovebox installed, 3 gauges in the center pod, two a-pillar gauges, non-carbon fiber trunk lid, with full weight COP connector wires, driver ate lunch, and a quarter two nickels 4 pennies in the driver door armrest recess"

"First N/A 4.6 Marauder in the 11s, body off frame weight reduction mod only"


C'mon guys, lets keep it fun! I do believe this is the year we'll be seeing the first 9 second power-added Marauder and a 12 second N/A 4.6 Marauder. Remember what Thomas Edison said when he was trying to invent the lightbulb... "I have not failed. I've just found ten-thousand ways that won't work." Now its just a matter of who will find the magic combination, the right mix of parts and software that gets the job done. Of course, you could take my version of that quote... "I have not failed. I've just found tens of thousands of dollars of ways that won't work." The only difference is Edison ended up with a working lightbulb and I ended up, well, nevermind.

Mockery!!!!
Its a stock internal engine that is streetable with all accessories intact. Those are the rules. This run for the 12's will take place within this year, I dont see these parts being available by then.
If we fail then we fail, no harm no foul. It will only prove that it cant be done. We'll call it the MM.net episode of mythbusters then.
However, We pull this off and a Marauder does infact cross the trap within the 12.00-12.99 range. Then he shall be the first and only record holder.

Only you S/C guys will try to taint it with conspiracy!

[ctrlraven]

I'm interested as well. Like TooManyFords said, check on front fenders as well. Hoods would be good too.
Class Glass Performance already makes a fiberglass hood for our car. ImpalaSlayer bought the first one and I have it now.


But then you're not getting a "real" Marauder into the 12's n/a are you?
Isn't the goal to get a full as produced Marauder into the 12's with no power adder or bigger motor?
You're confusing me.

All the weight reduction will cheapen the "win" in my opinion.
If that was the case then I would already be out since I have a fiberglass cowl hood.

People put on a s/c for more power to OVERCOME the weight of the car, lessen the weight of the car and the power to weight ratio starts to look better.

This isn't the days of our fathers and grandfathers racing on some long dirt back road this is modern day muscle car tech.

As long as the engine internals stay stock, displacement stays stock, all accessories stay installed, interior is in tact, could pass state safety inspection and is driven to the track it's game on.

[O's Fan Rich]

Ok. That's fine.
If that's the parameters you've set for the "contest" then you're good to go.

But, I want to be on the record as saying that it does not fully prove the point that you don't need a power adder to reach the 12's in a Marauder, since I did not have to lighten my car to do so with one, and many others did not.

I got no pony in this race, so it's up to those participating to set the parameters not me.

[RR|Suki]

Ok. That's fine.
If that's the parameters you've set for the "contest" then you're good to go.

But, I want to be on the record as saying that it does not fully prove the point that you don't need a power adder to reach the 12's in a Marauder, since I did not have to lighten my car to do so with one, and many others did not.

I got no pony in this race, so it's up to those participating to set the parameters not me.

I'd agree, the primary reason why getting to 12s N/A would be an accomplishment in a Marauder is the weight... nothing else. That's the challenge here, if you go sub curb weight (4100-4200) I don't see how it's an accomplishment... you can go 12s N/A in a mustang all day :P

[merc]

I'd agree, the primary reason why getting to 12s N/A would be an accomplishment in a Marauder is the weight... nothing else. That's the challenge here, if you go sub curb weight (4100-4200) I don't see how it's an accomplishment... you can go 12s N/A in a mustang all day :P

Agreed.:banana2:

[ctrlraven]

I'd agree, the primary reason why getting to 12s N/A would be an accomplishment in a Marauder is the weight... nothing else. That's the challenge here, if you go sub curb weight (4100-4200) I don't see how it's an accomplishment... you can go 12s N/A in a mustang all day :P

Gee I wonder why? Maybe it's because it weighs less.

[Dragcity]

I am of the school that the car should not be lightened by removing/replacing body panels. Go ahead and pull the spare tire and jack, but beyond that, I say fail...

I'm N/A and will stay that way. I'll bet it can be done, without cutting all the weight. Right tune, gears, fuel and delivery, it can be done.

Gonna' need wider tires to keep it hooked when the 5.56:1 rear end goes in though....

[ctrlraven]

So I guess I need to put my STOCK hood back on now. That's fine I'll make the 12's with or without it.

[Dragcity]

Pay no attention ot me Chris, I'll never come close to you anyway you slice it....

[ctrlraven]

Everybody's car is different from factory. You can't say you'll never come close because we have never raced at the same track together.

The golden days were all about throw more power at it to overcome the weight, this is the new era. The whole weight saving issue can be argued until we all turn blue in the faces cause of fuel weight, driver's weight, weight of spare/jack and whatever none bolted down stuff there is like sub boxes, etc etc.

I will do what I can while staying fully streetable and legal.

[RR|Suki]

Gee I wonder why? Maybe it's because it weighs less.

yes and that is my point... there is no meaning in going 12s N/A in a light car with ~300hp... that's not the challenge and skirts the real issue that makes getting to 12 N/A in a Marauder hard... the weight. It's like going to a street tire shootout with full slicks and wondering why you can't enter.
I don't care either way really, my car was N/A for the 30 minute tow truck ride from the dealer to VT... My point is one of reality and the reality is that if someone gets into the 12s at ~4100lbs or so then that will be quite the achievement, but if someone does it by dropping a ton of weight... meh

[vonirkinshtine]

Weight is a big part of my game. When we're dealing with a car that doesn't efficiently use its motor enough as it is, every little bit helps.

...of course, I'm talking about the 2V motors. The 3V and 4V make much better use out of their displacement.

[Rocknthehawk]

why not build your own fiberglass lid....

it's really not difficult at all.

I fully support those making a run at the 12's n/a. I wish i had a MM so i could join the fun, but, in reality, what do you expect to save in weight with the trunk? 10-15lbs?

[ctrlraven]

why not build your own fiberglass lid....

it's really not difficult at all.

I fully support those making a run at the 12's n/a. I wish i had a MM so i could join the fun, but, in reality, what do you expect to save in weight with the trunk? 10-15lbs?

If it's not difficult then why don't you make them? :cool4:

[Rocknthehawk]

If it's not difficult then why don't you make them? :cool4:

Because i don't have a lid to use for the layout ;)
And dropping $200+ on just a lid, plus materials for the FG, it's not a venture i want to dive in to.

now...if i had a "junk" cv lid to make molds off of....it would be a possibilty. maybe i'll do a little search tonight.

[Aren Jay]

.............................. .....

[FordNut]

Trunk is aluminium anyways,

Where did you hear that? They're all magnetic, must be some new aluminum alloy.

[DTRMiguel]

Where did you hear that? They're all magnetic, must be some new aluminum alloy.

I thought mine was magnetic :confused: i feel like a dumbass now :bigcry:

[FordNut]

why not build your own fiberglass lid....

it's really not difficult at all.

I fully support those making a run at the 12's n/a. I wish i had a MM so i could join the fun, but, in reality, what do you expect to save in weight with the trunk? 10-15lbs?

It's really pretty difficult to make a hood or trunk lid. Most professional shops will charge $4-5k to make the mold, then $200-300 for the parts. Problem is with low volume, it drives the unit price through the roof when you distribute the cost for the mold.

I didn't have any luck with the hood project I tried to get going. But hey, good luck with it guys.!

[FordNut]

So I guess I need to put my STOCK hood back on now. That's fine I'll make the 12's with or without it.
Maybe without it (the hood), that would reduce the weight a bit!

[FordNut]

I thought mine was magnetic :confused: i feel like a dumbass now :bigcry:

It is magnetic, it is steel. You're not the dumbass...

[Rocknthehawk]

It's really pretty difficult to make a hood or trunk lid. Most professional shops will charge $4-5k to make the mold, then $200-300 for the parts. Problem is with low volume, it drives the unit price through the roof when you distribute the cost for the mold.

I didn't have any luck with the hood project I tried to get going. But hey, good luck with it guys.!


I agree on a production level, it is difficult.

Laying glass over the stock parts for molds works fine for one-off's...I've seen many parts done this way. If you're willing to put in the work, it's worth it in the $$ savings.

I'll say it again, I highly doubt your weight savings vs. cost would make this a reasonable mod. remember this is a TRUNK lid. It needs to be strong enough that it can take the beating of opening/closing, thick enough it won't bend/crack/break, but still lightweight?



EDIT:

SOMEONE SHOULD BUY HOT-RAUDERS MARAUDER and do it....

the car had plastic quarter panels and trunk lid.

[FordNut]

Honestly, I would like to reduce my weight a little (since I'm the true heavyweight @ 4970+), but these will probably cost $500 each if they are ever made. That's before painting, so you put almost a grand into saving 30 lb or so. There's a grand toward a supercharger kit!

[BigCars4Ever]

From 92 to 97 all panther's had aluminum hoods, trunk lids and front bumpers. In 98 Ford added so much weight in options that they couldn't keep it bellow the CAFE weight limit even with these more expensive parts so they just went back to steel. BTW a 97 Crown Vic is just a tad over 3900 lbs but a 98 tips the scales at 4100.

[Joe Walsh]

So I guess I need to put my STOCK hood back on now. That's fine I'll make the 12's with or without it.

Chris, is your fiberglass hood that much lighter than stock?
When Jerry Barnes was investigating possibly making a fiberglass hood, it ended up weighing almost the same as the OEM hood.
I have a spare OEM hood and I weighed it for Jerry. The minimal difference in weight suprised us.
Now, If you just want the fiberglass hood for style...that's cool.


why not build your own fiberglass lid....

it's really not difficult at all.

I fully support those making a run at the 12's n/a. I wish i had a MM so i could join the fun, but, in reality, what do you expect to save in weight with the trunk? 10-15lbs?

True, and probably less than that.


Trunk is aluminium anyways, why not use a Carbon Fibre frame and a lightweight engine. Then just bolt your body on to the light chassis and make your 12.997 NA run and post up how fast you are, then switch back to your real frame and drive around telling everyone how you ran a 12.997.

Yeah for you.

Sorry for the cynical tone.

:shake:

IGNORE Carbon Fiber Funny Car Troll!

[Blackened300a]

Trunk is aluminium anyways, why not use a Carbon Fibre frame and a lightweight engine. Then just bolt your body on to the light chassis and make your 12.997 NA run and post up how fast you are, then switch back to your real frame and drive around telling everyone how you ran a 12.997.

Yeah for you.

Sorry for the cynical tone.


Ill get on that :shake:

[O's Fan Rich]

S&W Racecars will build a custom tube frame for your car.
That will shed pounds!!

http://www.swracecars.com/

[vonirkinshtine]

You can have me drive your car. That'll save you alot of weight.

I tip the scales at around 165lbs.

[Aren Jay]

.............................. .....

[Rocknthehawk]

You can have me drive your car. That'll save you alot of weight.

I tip the scales at around 165lbs.

Nope, I'll drive. I've got you beat by 10lbs....but i MAY have to move the seat up some.

[Blown3.8]

Chris, is your fiberglass hood that much lighter than stock?
When Jerry Barnes was investigating possibly making a fiberglass hood, it ended up weighing almost the same as the OEM hood.
I have a spare OEM hood and I weighed it for Jerry. The minimal difference in weight suprised us.

Its 20 or 30 lbs lighter. I can't remember exactly. But I think it is 30.

[ctrlraven]

Chris, is your fiberglass hood that much lighter than stock?
Stock hood weighs about 62 lbs, fiberglass hood weighs around 24-25 lbs. One person can lift it off with ease.


I only found one instance which may have contributed to my thinking the trunk lid was aluminum.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showpost.php?p=484802&postcount=36
or
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showpost.php?p=320292&postcount=20

I've also seen it else where, on here, but have yet to find.

Hoods may have been Aluminum as well on some Maruaders, best go check mine, maybe for 04 they changed something.

On top of which if Ctrlraven had bothered to search he would have found this has all be discussed all ready:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=34732



...raven will have to make sure he doesn't get arrested for cruising around the school yards asking all the 90 pound girls if they would drive his car for him...
If I had bothered to search? MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sorry I wasn't going to bring a almost 2 yr thread back to life PLUS this is strictly directed towards the trunk lid.

Also I'm married and thanks for the advice I definitely wouldn't want to follow in your foot steps and do something like that.

[Master]

If these guys are serious about building glass knock-offs, then do it right and get them to copy the Trilogy bocy kit. I would SO put money on that kit.

[High-C]

if Ctrlraven had bothered to search he would have found this has all be discussed all ready

I cannot believe that you actually typed that... You Sir, are a tool. :rolleyes:

[ctrlraven]

So just to update I got an email back from Class Glass about the trunk lid.



Good Morning Chris;
Thanks for the compliment- we're glad you like the hood! We'll need to
find a steel trunk lid to work from. But, before we'll start fabricating,
we'll need at least 5 people to make a $100.00 deposit each. Let us know
how the interest is, once you talk $ with them. Unfortunately, our
experience has been that everyone wants one, but when push comes to shove,
they dont come up with the $...... To recoup the cost of the mold, we have
to sell 10....... If you can get 5 to make a deposit- we'll seriously
consider it.
Thanks again for your interest in Class Glass!
dalene
office manager

So we need 5 people to get the ball rolling and 10 to make it happen. I don't forsee the trunk lid costing an arm & a leg because they sell their hood for only $450.

[Blackened300a]

Ok Im in. Some info I want is total weight savings and total cost.

[ctrlraven]

I'm in also cause hell all they want is 5 to start and 10 to make it happen. I wonder if they could make a trunk lid with a built in trunk lid spoiler, now that would be really cool.

Need to also look into how much weight difference there will cause the factory hinges would launch the trunk lid right up lol but that's the minor detail stuff.

[Blown3.8]

We should be able to remove one of the torsion bars or both then put some struts in to lift the trunk. I can get a weight of the stock trunk, hopefully tomorrow.

I would also like to know the final cost if ten people buy. But we should see atleast the same weight savings as the hood. 30lbs would be good every little bit helps.

[TooManyFords]

I'm in too. But I'm going to use zeus fasteners and remove the hinges and torsion bars altogether...

[ctrlraven]

I don't think we will know a final cost until 5 people have put a deposit down which is when they would start the R&D for the mold and everything.

Would anyone be interested in the spoiler being part of the trunk or maybe if they can reproduce it?

[vonirkinshtine]

I even have a trunk that I could donate if it would help them out.

Before I make a deposit, I want some sort of guarantee that this thing will be produced and I won't magically be out $xxx.xx.

Does anyone currently make a glass hood? Any word on front fenders too?

[Blown3.8]

Class glass makes a hood. This is the same company Chris is talking to.

I don't think you would save much weight on the fenders for the cost.

[RR|Suki]

Maybe you guys could talk them into making another version of the hood too. Variety is the spice of life... or something like that

[Blown3.8]

Hood looky like this.
http://www.classglassperformance.com/image/marauder%20hood%203.jpg

[sd8683]

Nope, I'll drive. I've got you beat by 10lbs....but i MAY have to move the seat up some.

You might have to drive my car Aaron:cool: We could shed almost a whole tenth off my ET with you driving:banana2:

[sd8683]

Maybe you guys could talk them into making another version of the hood too. Variety is the spice of life... or something like that


^^^^^ +1 I like the class glass hood but.... I would like the cowl to be wider.

[DOOM]

I cannot believe that you actually typed that... You Sir, are a tool. :rolleyes:

No no no High-C the correct term for him is JACKASS!!! :banned:

[ImpalaSlayer]

who painted that hood on that sb it looks like hell :D

[Rocknthehawk]

You might have to drive my car Aaron:cool: We could shed almost a whole tenth off my ET with you driving:banana2:

Not a problem ;) I plan on running the thunderbolt down the track ASAP, and the plan is to let me run the Mach also.

[vonirkinshtine]

I'd rather have a glass hood sans cowl. If I had a choice I'd be more inclined to buy a hood and front fenders, because our cars are heavier in the front and I'd like to work towards a better weight distribution.

...but that's just the motorsports engineer in me, lol.

[offroadkarter]

i'd be interested depending on cost and all