3rd Gen / L98 Engine Tech 1982 - 1992 Engine Related

Fiberglass doors???

Old Jul 10, 2005 | 12:11 PM
  #1  
Runin2Nite's Avatar
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Fiberglass doors???

I keep hearing about these increadable fiberglass door for our cars?!?! where can i find them and how much do they usually cost??
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 12:18 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

I like my heavy metal doors.
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 01:03 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

Never heard
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 01:15 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

the're was sumone on tampracing.com that was sellin a set.. i wouldnt mind foundin out how much and where also.. but the real qestion is can u put windows in there or what?
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 03:46 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

i would be interested in fiberglass doors for 3rd gens, as long as they have their nader bar and i can fit all my elctronics i'd invest
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 08:28 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

Unless you have an all out race car, you don't want fiberglass doors.
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 09:56 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

If you really want i can look around i know ive seen them before.

But in all seriousness unless youre putting a 10 point cage in the car youre gonna want those steel doors when a flat bed tow truck comes flying through a red light. I say that because my mom almost had that happen to her in her SUV, if she would have gone through the intersection right when it turned green she prolly wouldnt be here right now. You never know whats gonna happen!
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 10:12 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

Only problem with that theory is that sheet metal is not very strong and the doors on my 98 are fiberglass and the 4th gens are rated like 3 stars for side impact....
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 10:59 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

but the 4th gen doors are just skins of fiberglass... the inner workings are metal.

www.vfnfiberglass.com
82-92 Camaro Doors No Posts or Rockers. Lexan Use only. Weight=10 each Ship: UPS Items. Price=$564.00 (pair)




enjoy
Old Jul 10, 2005 | 11:02 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

OK, my bad....
Old Jul 11, 2005 | 09:44 AM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

fiberglass is stronger than steel

fiberglass will break before it bends
steel will bend before it breaks
so steel appears stronger

our 3rd gen doors rust very easy
fiberglass doesnt rust

i think its called a nader bar, a real thick bar inside the door made to take impact, a one time use bar, once it is bent (which is not easy) it can not be bent back without reducing its integrity, if these fiberglass doors have these nader bars, i see no reason not to use them on the street

if i'm wrong on anything, please correct me
Old Jul 11, 2005 | 11:30 AM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

Seems to be a little confussion here. To start with 4 Gens. are not fiberglass, they're Sheet Molded Composit (SMC) which is fiber reinforced plastic.
I know this is a minor thing, but it is different from the fiberglass doors you will get from some one like VFN.
Number two is that 4th Gen. doors have both inner and outer SMC panels, no steel. The only steel is the NHTSA required side impact beam. You will probably not get this in your aftermarket doors.
Most aftermarket fiberglass is very thin, and therefore not strong at all, as it is designed for racing. Race cars have roll gages that protect the driver. The body is just there for looks and aero. However some companies offer both street grade and light weight panels.
Finally the strength is probably debatable. If you look at 4th Gens. and Corvette's you notice that the panels are very thick, around an 1/8". However the real strength is in the side impact beam not the door panel.
Old Jul 11, 2005 | 11:42 AM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

Originally Posted by respectirocz
fiberglass is stronger than steel
i think its called a nader bar, a real thick bar inside the door made to take impact, a one time use bar, once it is bent (which is not easy) it can not be bent back without reducing its integrity, if these fiberglass doors have these nader bars, i see no reason not to use them on the street

if i'm wrong on anything, please correct me
Im 99% sure aftermarket fiberglass doors are just skins, no re-enforcement.
Old Jul 11, 2005 | 12:45 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

Originally Posted by doug791
Im 99% sure aftermarket fiberglass doors are just skins, no re-enforcement.
Yup - those doors from VFN have just enough reinforcement to keep them from flexing, but they won't stop a gocart from totaling your car if it t-bones you.

Plus, they are only made to take fixed lexan windows, which aren't legal in most states.

- Justin
Old Jul 11, 2005 | 02:07 PM
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Re: Fiberglass doors???

and if ur like me an dont have a/c.. then it would suck to have to unsrew the windows everyday.. but im still thinking about finding sumwhere i can get lighter doors(seein how i need a whole passager door anyways)

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