Carbon Wrapping Project: e46 HPF AA M3 Engine Parts

[nachos23]

Hey;
Just started a new project; an AA Supercharged e46 HPF M3!! Doing many of the engine pieces; including intake manifold!!

Just started, so only a couple wrapped so far, but I've cut the cloth and prepped the remaining pieces. So after the Superbowl tonight I might wrap another couple of pieces.

I'm doing this in a 1x1 weave which I'm really enjoying. The tighter 1x1 weave provides a more "sturdy" cloth which feels slightly thicker and I'm finding quite nice to wrap with.

His engine bay before the wrapping project:


Below are the parts I'm going to be wrapping being prepped:







First wrapped parts pictures:







I'll be posting new pictures as I wrap new pieces through to completion. Will also post installed pictures as well to complete thread...... :

[MarketMaster]

AA HPF???

I don't even.

[nachos23]

From what I was told, it was modded by Horse Power Freaks and it's running an Active Auotwerkes Supercharger...... AA HPF was just shorter....

[streetsoffire]

Yeah, I'm definitely gonna be sending you parts.....you might wanna get some ppl on staff with the amount of work thats gonna be coming your way.

[eur04lif3]

i though the purpose of CF is to save weight...

[BeansM3]

And look good. post updates! What resin u using?

[nachos23]

Yeah, I'm definitely gonna be sending you parts.....you might wanna get some ppl on staff with the amount of work thats gonna be coming your way.

Got some help as of this past week. They resin and sand and I wrap, trim and spray.... working much better now!!!

i though the purpose of CF is to save weight...

Yes and it's also used extensively for cosmetic purposes. In fact, the majority of CF products made for the aftermarket are installed on daily drivers, so weight is really not a consideration. The additional weight added with the wrapping is less than a 1 ib for all the pieces you see here....

For those that want molded CF parts, there are lots of commercial sources. I did this initially to my DD because I didn't like the look of the wood grain and wanted something different. That's how this all started; cosmetic enhancement for my car......

And look good. post updates! What resin u using?

West Systems 105 resin and 207 special hardener. For the valve cover I'm going to line the bottom with LaveMat to reduce the heat transfer significantly.

[LexSteele]

I like it better without carbon fiber stickers all over your various engine parts. (food for thought)

[BeansM3]

You know it's not vinyl right? ^

[LexSteele]

You know it's not vinyl right? ^

You now it's also an adhesive very similar to stickers. Difference maybe? To me same thing.

[nachos23]

You now it's also an adhesive very similar to stickers. Difference maybe? To me same thing.

It's actually completely different than vinyl. unlike vinyl which is a polyurethane (petrol) product, carbon fiber is woven into a cloth. A epoxy resin is used to chemically adhere the cloth to the original part and it becomes one uniform piece. It doesn't peel like vinyl, nor can it be removed by peeling off. Unlike vinyl CF cloth adds strength to the part.

Don't like it; that's cool. It's not for everyone; but those that have it, love it!

[Mooseiah]

God,e46 owners really are the biggest bunch of ricers

[LexSteele]

To each his own; as long as you love it.

[WCM3]

In for that intake manifold. How the hell do you wrap that!?

[nachos23]

God,e46 owners really are the biggest bunch of ricers

That would explain the COMPLETE e30 front dash I'm going to be wrapping in next couple of weeks. Local BMW dealers have approached me to offer my wrapping as an option to their clients on their new BMWs (that would include 1, 3, 5, 6 + 7 series cars and SUVs. Caron is not ricer @ all and is now a factory option from BMW and most other high-end manufacturers.

To each his own; as long as you love it.

DITTO

In for that intake manifold. How the hell do you wrap that!?

Going to wrap in 2 parts (experience gained from wrapping the Ferrari intakes). Part 1 is the intake tubes indlvidually (reverse of how I did the Ferrari intakes). Let dry and sand particularly where they meet main body to get a nice feathered edge. then Part 2. Wrap the main body. Going to pre-cut the holes in the piece of cloth to allow the cloth to be applied without distortion. If everything goes as planned, it will look sick!

[Sniz]

I dont care if NASA installed it, its still an AA kit, not HPF.

CF looks good, hope you can pull it off w the intake mani.

[///mfizzle]

That would explain the COMPLETE e30 front dash I'm going to be wrapping in next couple of weeks. Local BMW dealers have approached me to offer my wrapping as an option to their clients on their new BMWs (that would include 1, 3, 5, 6 + 7 series cars and SUVs. Caron is not ricer @ all and is now a factory option from BMW and most other high-end manufacturers.

I call BS.

But good work man! It will look sick!

[nachos23]

I call BS.

But good work man! It will look sick!

Once I'm setup with them, I'll post the links! No BS here. No need to....

Sure, likely most of the business will likely come from 3-series, but I've done some e39 parts in the past and have a few e39 parts on their way to me shortly!

I'm already setup with local Ferrari dealer (see thread): http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1577337

Those installed pictures were @ the dealership in a client's car.

Have 2 BMW Indy shops also offering my services, as well as a few aftermarket Bodykit shops. just trying to get business off the ground, but spent last number of years building relationships for corporate accounts; so I recognise the value of marketing and building strong relationships and partnerships that could propel and grow this.

Right now just trying to setup the required relationships and hopefully those will allow me to take a more fulltime role with the wrapping. Right now, it's a night and weekend endeavour.

[FastrTHNu]

Can't wait to see the finished product.

That intake manifold is going to be bad ass!

[Sniz]

Can't wait to see the finished product.

That intake manifold is going to be bad ass!

agreed!

waiting for a carbon wrapped m50 mani to pop up on here.

[nachos23]

might be surprising my brother this yr if I can find a reasonably priced M5 interior. He's running a 2008 M5 in the UK, so I need RHD parts. If I do that, then I'll post those too....

[5mall5nail5]

not my style, not my interest, not my thing, but I give props where due - tedious!

Be careful on the intake, they get awfully hot especially on supercharged cars.

[Rolling Guy]

subscribed for results. Carry on.

[nachos23]

thanks and thanks!!!

[nachos23]

Time for an update. Urgent family matters took me away from wrapping for a few days. Expect updates to Mercedes set and finishing the RHD e46 coupe set as well in next couple of days.

Just m3 updates for the moment:

Intake Manifold - Part 1; Intake Tubes:




ECU Cover




M3 Valve Cover







Part 2 of Intake Manifold tomorrow and finish 2 remaining pieces: Xenon cover and Secondary Air pump cover......