Front Reinforcement Plate...in carbon fiber!

[omgzirra_exe]

isn't it fun playing with CF and making your own molds~

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

isn't it fun playing with CF and making your own molds~

Its like Christmas…you infuse the part and then you have to wait a day to open it.

It’s awesome right up to the part where you slice your finger open demolding the part. Pulling off the peel ply also sucks.

[DRLane]

bigjae1976 is this you?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by DRLane

bigjae1976 is this you?

Could be. The guy (Matt?) bought a plate that I listed which had some cosmetic issues on Facebook. Not aware of anyone else making these.

EDIT: Yeah, that’s my part. Figures 🤣

That’s alright, he can have that.

I’m going to experiment with something in the summer. I’ll keep you posted.

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Could be. The guy (Matt?) bought a plate that I listed which had some cosmetic issues on Facebook. Not aware of anyone else making these.

EDIT: Yeah, that’s my part. Figures 🤣

That’s alright, he can have that.

I’m going to experiment with something in the summer. I’ll keep you posted.

So he buys your part to have it made by someone else. My disdain for this guy grows by the day.

[kolosy]

whoa that's extra shitty. f that guy.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by DRLane

So he buys your part to have it made by someone else. My disdain for this guy grows by the day.

I was always skeptical but this seals the deal.

Thanks for looking out. I do this mostly as a hobby and to support my track habit…literally in my garage. If I make something and someone likes it…I’ll be happy to make one at a reasonable price. I get the satisfaction of making some money, doing something I like and hopefully making someone happy.

The problem with this plate (I could be wrong) is I don’t see this appealing to a large group of people. Ideally, it would have a gloss finish on both sides for cosmetics which adds a lot of complexity and cost. It sits under the car…the only reason someone should want this is for increased stiffness and a slight reduction in weight.

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I was always skeptical but this seals the deal.

Thanks for looking out. I do this mostly as a hobby and to support my track habit…literally in my garage. If I make something and someone likes it…I’ll be happy to make one at a reasonable price. I get the satisfaction of making some money, doing something I like and hopefully making someone happy.

The problem with this plate (I could be wrong) is I don’t see this appealing to a large group of people. Ideally, it would have a gloss finish on both sides for cosmetics which adds a lot of complexity and cost. It sits under the car…the only reason someone should want this is for increased stiffness and a slight reduction in weight.

He just likes to “make” parts and then market them as exclusive to his shitty sham of a business.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by DRLane

So he buys your part to have it made by someone else. My disdain for this guy grows by the day.

yeah i saw that and went F that guy. lol he even mentioned the M3Post forum DIY post as well.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by DRLane

He just likes to “make” parts and then market them as exclusive to his shitty sham of a business.

Looking like that’s the case.

What I find odd is why he bought my plate and then decide to make one. It’s pulled off a mold made using the OE part. He could have just used the part of his own car to 3D scan.

So the way I look at it, he wasted $200. For that…I say thanks. I knew who he was when I sold it, kind of figured this was the direction it was going. What I did is not trademarked or anything innovative.

[Richbot]

I'll be the judge of that, tomorrow looks like unless somebody destroyed it in the mail

My collection of M3 parts that have turned into wall art is starting to be bigger than the car

Xpipe, muffler, plenum, now this plate thingie when will it end

I recently removed my Sirius radio (saved almost 2.5lb for the cost of a MOST bus fiber optic loop) and the car drives like shit now the balance is all off, need to lose some weight off the front now

Gonna look extra pimp with the titanium fasteners I already have on the stock plate, because I am just the dumbest person alive

[roastbeef]

Sometimes I can’t tell if you guys are mocking me or joking. Both? Lol

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Sometimes I can’t tell if you guys are mocking me or joking. Both? Lol

I too was very confused by said post.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Sometimes I can’t tell if you guys are mocking me or joking. Both? Lol

Richbot is one of the OG forum smart asses. Considering how long you’ve been around I thought you’d know you’re jokingly being mocked 🤣

[roastbeef]

From him, it’s from a place of love.

[Richbot]

Can confirm you will lose 4.5lb if you buy one of these from James, and will get chlamydia if you buy one of the knockoffs

Fits great, no issues, other than my damn rivet gun is 3 states away in my trailer in Alabama right now so I can't put on the jack point/oil plan protector puck thingie yet

Can't think of many other good ways to lose weight off the front that don't cause some sort of sacrifice on a road car.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

What I find odd is why he bought my plate and then decide to make one. It’s pulled off a mold made using the OE part. He could have just used the part of his own car to 3D scan.

Probably wanted yours to reverse engineer - layers, layup angles, etc. Lazy ass engineering. I will never buy anything from him. Funny thing is you can contact his suppliers direct and get prices which are equal or better than his 'community buys'. As they say, a fool and his money...

[LOW4LYF]

That's some shady business!

I'm a little surprised Matt doing his business like that?!?

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by Redd

Funny thing is you can contact his suppliers direct and get prices which are equal or better than his 'community buys'. As they say, a fool and his money...

This x 1000.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Can confirm you will lose 4.5lb if you buy one of these from James, and will get chlamydia if you buy one of the knockoffs

Fits great, no issues, other than my damn rivet gun is 3 states away in my trailer in Alabama right now so I can't put on the jack point/oil plan protector puck thingie yet

Can't think of many other good ways to lose weight off the front that don't cause some sort of sacrifice on a road car.

Thanks! Glad it worked out. It’s an honor to be of service 😊

[bigjae1976]

I finally infused and demolded the center part of the engine cover! It’s ugly…I used a bunch of leftover scraps of stuff to test this out.

Now, I won’t call it proprietary but it took about 5 different f-ups to be able to make a mold from the stock part…which is pressed and flocked cardboard.

I separated the vent and made a separate mold because I wasn’t sure if it would de-mold. Now I’m sure it will work as one piece so time to make a new mold.

The only bad part is the gurney flap on the front side of the vent is presenting some challenges. So I will have to delete it or bond it on after the fact - won’t be perfect.

I want to retain the OE aero with this so I will probably bond a flap on after the fact.

[roastbeef]

i like that you're keeping the oem aero and gurney flaps... that is one of the reasons i don't want to use a flat piece... they are probably good enough, but i think oem style is better.