The use of carbon fiber car parts is a popular modification among tuners and enthusiasts to reduce overall weight and improve performance. Less weight means a higher power to weight ratio. This reduces engine strain on heavy acceleration, which contributes to better fuel consumption and reduced emissions at the tail pipe. Most heavy components of a car can be replaced by carbon fiber parts.
Carbon Fiber Wheels
Carbon fiber wheels have a huge visual impact. They're the kind of aftermarket add on that can completely change the look and feel of a vehicle. The problem is that they're far from cheap--they make magnesium alloys seem like a bargain. With their exceptionally light weight, they really change the way a vehicle drives, too, which is why they're proving more popular in auto racing.
Price
The biggest deterrent to owning carbon fiber wheels is their cost. A full set of all carbon fiber wheels will cost from $10,000 to $12,000 dollars. You can lower that figure by choosing a wheel where the facing is carbon fiber, but the wheels itself is magnesium alloy. These are still more expensive that even good magnesium alloys, but far less than full carbon fiber rims.
Weight
One manufacturer has made wheels that weigh as little as 6 pounds. This is an incredibly low weight, especially when compared to steel wheels. It will change the way a car handles and brakes, since the weight reduction is so drastic. This means that the driver will have to adjust the driving style, and the vehicle will corner in an entirely different way.
The weight raises many question marks, however. Can the carbon fiber wheels be strong enough to carry the weight of the car, especially when travelling at speed, and when a car hits potholes? Carbon fiber is very strong. This is why the wheels can weigh so little and still work, but much is going to depend on the driver. These wheels can't be repaired if damaged. If one sustains a problem, it will hit you in the pocketbook.
Looks
One area where there's absolutely no downside is on the looks of carbon fiber wheels. Those that are all carbon fiber and even those that are simply faced with carbon fiber, look stunning, better even than magnesium alloy wheels.
This, of course, is the prime reason people upgrade their wheels. The other factors tend to be secondary. This cosmetic makeover is impressive, and a real commitment of money. You'll need a car that already looks good before you add carbon fiber wheels as the final touch, the icing on the cake.
Security
If you put carbon fiber wheels on your ride you're going to need to keep them secure. This means you'll need locking nuts. The very best on the market are not cheap. However, as a way to protect your wheels, it makes for a good investment. You will also need to be more careful in how you drive, avoiding potholes and learning the limitations of the wheels. Not only does this save the wheels with their high cost, but it keeps you safer inside the vehicle.
Carbon Fiber Wings
The carbon fiber wing is a popular upgrade among automotive enthusiasts that further enhances a vehicle's sporty or race-inspired look. While aesthetically pleasing to some, this upgrade yields significant benefits in aerodynamics and high speed vehicle handling and stability as well. The proper spoiler or adjustable wing will keep the rear part of your vehicle planted to the ground, and is part of the vehicle's overall ground effects system. Other parts may include a lip spoiler, side skirts and rear skirts that all aim not only to improve vehicle appearance but contribute to overall aerodynamic performance as well. Such a modification should be considered carefully before making a purchase.
Cost
The good news for automotive and performance enthusiasts is that quality wings and spoilers can be obtained for around $150, not including labor, but quality is a factor worth considering when making an upgrade. High quality carbon fiber wing kits, made from top quality materials, can cost anywhere from $400 to more than $1,000 depending on type.
Kinds of Wings
Adjustable carbon fiber wings cost more than the norm and are designed for fine tuning vehicle performance for competition purposes. Some carbon wings feature a duck tail design that is popular among euro look tuners. These are more discreet than full race models. Other models are designed to replace the OEM spoiler of your car. The kind and type of carbon fiber wing for your vehicle should be properly determined before making a purchase. Most carbon fiber wing applications are considered for the sporty appeal and focus more on form rather than function.
Installation
A knowledgeable DIY enthusiast can install a carbon fiber wing with the use of simple hand tools in less than 30 minutes. For a car not equipped with a rear spoiler, some minor drilling and paint applications need to be done and this may void the vehicle warranty. Vehicles with existing spoilers may require the same with the use of aftermarket center-
