thoughts on fibreglass BA bulge bonnets?

[raised by monkeys]

I think they look good on AU's but my worry is structural competence? Are they strong enough and do they crack easily after a hot summer or two.

[auxr]

My thoughts - just don't go there.

[blueoval]

Hey Shaun. I dont mind them either, but being fibre glass, I doubt there will be much structural integrity in the bonnet. That's just my thoughts.

[Day-mow]

aluminium

[Mr Hardware]

my thoughts? they look lame and sound like a massive waste of money.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

my thoughts? they look lame and sound like a massive waste of money.

I agree. I'm not even keen on them on the cars they meant to be on, they look to ricey.
And they look wrong on the AU, they don't suit the bonnet lines at all.

But, horses for courses.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

I think they look good on AU's but my worry is structural competence? Are they strong enough and do they crack easily after a hot summer or two.

A mate had one on his ute for a few weeks before he traded it. It looked good but within a few weeks I noticed the bonnet had started to lift on the sides so it wasnt flush with the rest of the panels. That could have been due to the way it was moulded or it could have been the heat from the engine distorting it, dont know, but if i was to do it (and i plan to) I would use a metal bonnet and get a metal buldge and weld it in. That way no issues with heat or strength.

[Beer Baron]

Originally Posted by b2tf

A mate had one on his ute for a few weeks before he traded it. It looked good but within a few weeks I noticed the bonnet had started to lift on the sides so it wasnt flush with the rest of the panels. That could have been due to the way it was moulded or it could have been the heat from the engine distorting it, dont know, but if i was to do it (and i plan to) I would use a metal bonnet and get a metal buldge and weld it in. That way no issues with heat or strength.

I agree with b2tf.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I would use a metal bonnet and get a metal buldge and weld it in. That way no issues with heat or strength.

Yeah, that was the other thought. Sounds like it might be a better idea.

Cheers all.

[rayban76]

Originally Posted by b2tf

A mate had one on his ute for a few weeks before he traded it. It looked good but within a few weeks I noticed the bonnet had started to lift on the sides so it wasnt flush with the rest of the panels. That could have been due to the way it was moulded or it could have been the heat from the engine distorting it, dont know, but if i was to do it (and i plan to) I would use a metal bonnet and get a metal buldge and weld it in. That way no issues with heat or strength.

I agree with b2ts, metal is the way to go and have it welded in. Any idea where you can buy the metal buldge from though??

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by rayban76

I agree with b2ts, metal is the way to go and have it welded in. Any idea where you can buy the metal buldge from though??

Seems the only current way is to get a BA bonnet off a wreck etc and cut the bulge out. Problem is you're then up against everybody else who is doing the same thing.

[blownv8au]

Fibre fab or sports or awc, one of them can't remember do a glass and carbon bonnet. Would be better to get as a wholey constructed piece than molded.

[superroo]

I've had one on my AU from awc/fibersports, for around 3 years now, with the first 1.5 being a daily driver.
It used to live outside (under a car shade though), but has done a few week long period where it has sat in the hot January sun.

It has held up fine (apart from the hail damage) and hasn't faded, cracked or warped at all.
If anyone is in Melbourne, feel free to come have a look and check it out. Other wise I can grab some pics for you guys.

Cheers

[Sterling]

i put mine on a fair while ago, probably 3 months now? and it still looks fine, hasnt distorted or warped or anything! and my au does mobile work, so plenty of driving

[fat4D]

go for it, i think they look fantastic on the au's even better if they have the xr front bumper as well. If you get a good fibreglass one you'll be right. If you cheap out it wont last long

[Donny]

If I was ever going to pollute my AU XR with B series parts like that, I would have a metal one made aswell, bulge and under frames..

IMHO they (B series bonnet bulges) look as totally out of place and wrong on an AU as shakers on AU's and B series cars.

[5.8]

Originally Posted by Donny

If I was ever going to pollute my AU XR with B series parts like that, I would have a metal one made aswell, bulge and under frames..

IMHO they (B series bonnet bulges) look as totally out of place and wrong on an AU as shakers on AU's and B series cars.

I agree with Donny. After fitting the BA bulge you may as well finish it off with some FPV badges - WRONG!!!!!!!!!!
TICKFORD IS TICKFORD AND FPV IS FPV AND NEVER THE TWO SHALL MEET.

[b2tf]

Bah, my car will have whatever I want on it. That's not FPV stuff but I like the look of the buldge and with a manifold spacer mine will rub on the bonnet so if you want to get really snippy the buldge serves a purpose.

If you would like to pay my fuel and rego for a year I'll let you have a say on what I do and don't do to the car.

Getting back on topic, a mate kindly gave me the old bonnet off his AU (he traded it with a glass buldge one) so I will look into getting a metal buldge bit and grafting it all together at some stage.

[rayban76]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Bah, my car will have whatever I want on it. That's not FPV stuff but I like the look of the buldge and with a manifold spacer mine will rub on the bonnet so if you want to get really snippy the buldge serves a purpose.

If you would like to pay my fuel and rego for a year I'll let you have a say on what I do and don't do to the car.

Getting back on topic, a mate kindly gave me the old bonnet off his AU (he traded it with a glass buldge one) so I will look into getting a metal buldge bit and grafting it all together at some stage.

Here Here b2tf ..... I agree .....

As for the bonnet, let me know if you find where to get the metal one from, I am seeking the same for my car.

[5.8]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Bah, my car will have whatever I want on it. That's not FPV stuff but I like the look of the buldge and with a manifold spacer mine will rub on the bonnet so if you want to get really snippy the buldge serves a purpose.

If you would like to pay my fuel and rego for a year I'll let you have a say on what I do and don't do to the car.

Sorry.
I thought raised by Monkeys topic was "thoughts on fibreglass BA bulge bonnets". I didn't realise that if you replied with your personal thoughts on the topic you would then have to pay rego and fuel for someone's elses car. My mistake.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by fo,mo and co

Sorry.
I thought raised by Monkeys topic was "thoughts on fibreglass BA bulge bonnets". I didn't realise that if you replied with your personal thoughts on the topic you would then have to pay rego and fuel for someone's elses car. My mistake.

So is saying "TICKFORD IS TICKFORD AND FPV IS FPV AND NEVER THE TWO SHALL MEET." your personal opinion, or is it more a statement with a 'like it or lump it' attitude attached. Maybe if you had have said 'hey not really my cup of tea but do it if you like' etc you would have gotten a better reception.

And FYI plenty of 'muscle cars' both old and new have fog lights:

[superroo]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Bah, my car will have whatever I want on it.

Agreed Austin. Somehow i think that a BA bulge on my AU is the least of the worries with the "AU series bastardised" part's pin of a ute i have

Anyway, the offer's still there to check mine out next time your in Melbourne. In fact that offer is open to anyone. I've had mine on for 3+ years and no faults so far.

And for the reference, the full glass bonnets have the bulge on the inside too and all the support structure. It's just one piece.



Cheers

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by fo,mo and co

I agree with Donny. After fitting the BA bulge you may as well finish it off with some FPV badges - WRONG!!!!!!!!!!
TICKFORD IS TICKFORD AND FPV IS FPV AND NEVER THE TWO SHALL MEET.

hmm... maybe i could put some cobra stripes on it too then

Originally Posted by rayban76

Here Here b2tf ..... I agree .....

As for the bonnet, let me know if you find where to get the metal one from, I am seeking the same for my car.

ageeing with b2tf too on this one

ive been keeping an eye on the bay and gumtree

[JC]

Originally Posted by Donny

....they ....look as totally out of place and wrong on an AU as shakers on AU's and B series cars.

You forgot Territorys:

[Donny]

Originally Posted by JC

You forgot Territorys:

LOL, nah I didnt forget em, I just didnt even count em.. Marrackville tractors dont count to me at all..

Back on topic, I dont mind the B series V8 bonnet bulge on the B series cars. I think it suits that series well, and I liked the bulge on my GT-P, it looked cool.. Personally I dont think a B series bonnet bulge suits the AU XR bonnet lines. It might look a bit better on a high series AU non XR bonnet, but I havnt seen one or looked to see one to say either way.

[russellw]

Can I remind those who want to be sensitive about their own modifications that this was an opinion thread and thus any opinion, properly stated, is acceptable without the need for the sort of replies tendered in this thread.

If you don't want to read an opinion thread then perhaps avoid ones that start with "thoughts/opinions on".

Russ

[JC]

Originally Posted by russellw

If you don't want to read an opinion thread then perhaps avoid ones that start with "thoughts/opinions on".

Russ

LOL Russ. You probably didn't mean that to come across as funny, but that is pure gold!!!

On Topic for a minute - it is possible to blend a fibreglass piece with metal. The trick is to bake the paint at very low temp for twice as long as normal, and if the bonding is done correctly, it shouldn't crack the paint.

[fat4D]

newgel are fantastic, they have done my front bar, spoiler and bonnet soon to do my side skirts also

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by fat4D

newgel are fantastic, they have done my front bar, spoiler and bonnet soon to do my side skirts also

but its still fibreglass. Metal is preferred. Good products though on theyre site.

p.s. i have 18" rims for sales. The link is in my signature.