San Diego, Ca...just ordered a AA3 K24

**Norm** · August 30, 2012, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by rijowysock

adding carbon doesnt reduce weight.. also 90% of carbon products are wet carbon (heavier than fiberglass) dry carbon is the way to go.. and actually add's strength.

I do not think this is entirely correct, but, I am not an expert. I have looked into infused CF and will be buying he material to do it. Infused CF does appear to be a significant weight savings over traditional wet layup as you can end up with a part that is two cloths in thickness and has just enough resin to bind it. Infused is a wet process. I have not really looked into dry CF and on first blush it does not appear that it would lend itself to sharp angles or corners (the bane of all CF) as well as wet layup. I have read many times that dry cloth is like cardboard and in my mind it does not bend easily.

**bolus** · August 30, 2012, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by rijowysock

obviously thats for weight loss, the same way a carbon clamshell kit saves 224lbs on an exige (well worth its weight in.... carbon)

adding carbon doesnt reduce weight.. also 90% of carbon products are wet carbon (heavier than fiberglass) dry carbon is the way to go.. and actually add's strength.

i guess i have an engineering mind that says, dont add weight to make something look lighter... CF is not "bling" to me.. it's an engineering marvel (if used correctly)

again, my opinion... no offense guys.

Im pretty sure all of Brammo's CF was set layup though they did have a giant autoclave. I cant remember if I ever saw any pre-preg CF when I was there. They did weigh everything and it was something small like 10-20 lbs less for all the CF parts compared to the fiberglass. A good diet was a better weight loss plan that all the CF

I think TMI bought all the manufacturing equipment from Brammo so I assume they are using the same system.

None of us are offended. Feel free to say what you want. After having my car for years now I found out I liked working on it more than driving it so it ended up being a hobby to see where I might add or improve. A lot of it is functional - stronger rod ends, improved oil cooler, larger wheels, stronger uprights, etc. Some is just straight quality improvement - CF light housings instead of 5 cent crappy fragile plastic ones, better Mirraly mirrors instead of those $10 bike mirrors. A lot of it is bling (braided stainless hoses instead of black rubber ones)

Plus its a little fun to get people riled up. That's the primary reason I was the first to put a cup holder in mine. Just to piss off the English chaps who saw the Atom as a pure track car. Sure I never used it but it was a good $20 spent

**MadMaxAtom** · August 30, 2012, 08:29 AM

I believe the CF brammo wings were cooked,only because I did have to repair a wing end plate and saw its internal construction (thanks to the tracks tow truck operators haste on getting me off the track..

) The wing end plates interior looks like it was dry "cooked" to cure,and not wet layer glued like fiberglass etc.
I am still amazed at the impact the wing took with no damage. I wish the nose cone was as strong. That stuff is like boat fiberglass and the sections looks to be held together with SMC glue..not even resin. I can only imagine what a nose cone would cost in CF...

I don't believe the Brits think of the Atom as a track car..more to the contrary.What they do have is a firm belief the Atom is 100% perfect as is from the factory and should not be messed with, as us Colonials always seem to do...!

**bolus** · August 30, 2012, 08:52 AM

They could do a wet layup and then vacuum bag and autoclave and get a very tight structure or they could do the pre-pregnated CF and then the same process. I think wet layup has the imprints from the vacuum bags on the non-shiny side like the inside of the bonnet on mine. Main difference is cost - which is why we could get the wider fenders for such a reasonable cost with wet layup.

**Terry Kennedy** · August 30, 2012, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by MadMaxAtom

I wish the nose cone was as strong. That stuff is like boat fiberglass and the sections looks to be held together with SMC glue..not even resin.

Brammo went to a 3-piece nose to make it faster to manufacture, as they could do it in separate pieces.

I can only imagine what a nose cone would cost in CF...

No need to imagine - this is the last Brammo price list (26-Nov-2007):

8-30-2012 9-46-49 PM.jpg

**MadMaxAtom** · August 30, 2012, 08:36 PM

Holy Crap...no wonder Goldfingers build cost was over $120k...

**Norm** · August 31, 2012, 08:36 AM

I was waiting for the carbon fiber frame option, but, they never put it up

What was this thread about anyway? Oh, welcome Darren! San Diego has to be a wonderful place to have an Atom

**wattie** · September 4, 2012, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by MadMaxAtom

I don't believe the Brits think of the Atom as a track car..more to the contrary.What they do have is a firm belief the Atom is 100% perfect as is from the factory and should not be messed with, as us Colonials always seem to do...!

What??. Have you been on the moonshine! Many UK Atom buyers purchase because they relish the on track experience......they even trailer to the track!

Read the other forum, with an open mind, there are some very talented and dedicated track drivers there.

And, let me assure you....those that are knowledgeable know that the Atom is far from perfect...in fact it's nuances add to the driving pleasure and make it more of a challenge and that makes it such an enjoyable car to drive, master and tinker with.

Cheers Wattie