Metal or composite?

[RacerX]

If you were to decide on what materials to use to modify your Zcar body, be it fender flares/quarter panels etc., - would you prefer metal/aluminum or Fiberglass composite construction? Why?

 

thanks,

 

RacerX

[Dragonfly]

On my car I have fiberglass fenders, flares and headlight buckets, carbon fiber hood and rear hatch and everything else is metal. The reasons for the FG and CF are for weight and no rust... I am going to be making my radiator supports and "box" out of aluminum and again it is for weight and rust purposes.

 

Dragonfly

[OlderThanMe]

I would tend to like aluminum for body panels. I am going to be doing a lot of custom bodywork soon and will be making an english wheel to form the aluminum. I am for fiberglass but I want something that can be reformed if I wreck the car. Steel is stronger but it rusts and is heavier for the thickness.

[veritech-z]

I like the look of Carbon fiber. It's light, stylish, and so long as it's made correctly, strong as well.

[Guest Mike]

I'd say aluminum for a monocoque body, fiberglass fenders and door skins, carbon fiber hood and trunk lid.

 

EDIT: Aluminum if this is a COMPLETE replacement... not partial replacement pieces.

[Michael]

For redoing the unibody I would prefer low-carbon steel, compatible for welding purposes with the stock sheet metal.

 

For bolt-on parts, such as hood/fenders/doors/hatch, I would prefer fiberglass. It is heavier, weaker and less stylish than carbon fiber, but cheaper and more user-friendly for modifications. And probably not as sensitive to sunlight.