Rep Power: 512

Looking for anyone with any fiberglass (or other composite) fabrication knowledge.

I'm looking to fabricate up a kinda ram air induction setup. Instead of having the ram air feed strictly into a filter, I'm just using it to force cooler air into the engine bay so that my SRI wouldn't just be sucking in hotter engine bay air. Really, I'm fabricating up an air redirection device. With Vegas heat consistently in the 110F (43C) range, I've been seeing IAT temps up to 150F (65C), and I'm definitely feeling the effects of it.

Enough backstory. I've been looking at fabbing up an intake funnel of sorts to site behind the fake front vent on the driver's side, and that'll get connected to plumbing that send the external air directly to my filter. Looking at using some fiberglass or carbon fiber sleeve to fab up the plumbing. The question I have is.. Can thermal wrap be used with fiberglass resin to create rigid pipe with thermal insulating properties? Thought just occurred to me

edit: I didn't go the CAI route because I do kinda fear hydrolock. When it rains in vegas, it freakin rains, and we get constant flash flood warnings. The way I see it with this route, the ram induction/redirector bit I'm using isn't going to create enough suction to allow water to get into my intake stream

 
Rep Power: 367

huh, @mac25

 
Rep Power: 512

Sandro tryina get his post count up

 
Rep Power: 512

I mean, I know it's typically fiberglass, but with whatever the f else is mixed in with it, will it play nice with the resin and retain structural rigidity

 
Rep Power: 367

well, we do know Mac have been playing with fiberglass

 
Rep Power: 512

Lol, I haven't played with fiberglass since... 04? 05?

 
Rep Power: 229

😁


Yes actually I have been researching some advanced techniques, that are actually cleaner, use less fiberglassing material, and are generally easier... and less sticky lol.

Down side this takes more technology/money.

-First build your plug or plugs, if it will be a 2 part mold.

-then build a vacuum forming machine. Very easy, just a box hooked up to a shop vac with holes on top.

-vacuum form a negative of your plug.

-then you use "vacuum injection molding". Basically a plastic bag is placed over your negative and fiber. Then a vacuum draws the resin from an entrance point to the exit. This is nice because you never handle the resin.

.........

The above method is superior because what will become the outside of the object is on the bottom and comes out super smooth and shiny, even before buffing (if you want to do carbon fiber). It's also cleaner.

However, you can skip the vacuum formed negative and just vacuum inject over the positive (the plug), to make things less complex; but this usually means you'll have to spend time and money on finishing the exterior.