I need to mount my passport control unit. Does anyone foresee any problems or precautions that I should be aware of before i drill through my JCW carbon fiber dash?

 

It will drill just like the plastic would

 

Ummm noo....you suck at advice. They say you need some Ultra Classified GS-14 drill bit so the CF doesnt split

 

sounds like i need to make a trip to the Home Depot and ask for the classified drill bit section, lol. Thanks guys.

 

yeah i was kind of wondering about this too as i wanted to maybe carve out some slots on the CF inserts to fit on my steering wheel around the control buttons(cant remember the three letter abbr for the unit)

Let us know what you figure out SnYpR

 

I would put tape over the spot you need to drill as it will protect from any unwanted scratches. Mark your drill marks on the tape and go with any highspeed drill. I usually use a dremel and start with a small bit and work my way up to the size I need.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Ive found a little bit of light dishsoap helps it cut.

 

The clearcoat on the JCW CF pieces is fairly soft, and the weave in the fiber means it's not likely to develop cracks, so it should be pretty straightforward. I agree with the previous advice (put tape over the piece first, use a high-speed drill, start off with a small bit, etcetera). I would also use a punch awl to put a small pilot dimple where you're going to drill the hole to keep the bit from slipping.

 

Just drill it. No need for tape. Half *** is the way to go.

 

will post my results, i plan on tackling it this weekend. the holes will be covered, so i can afford to be a little half assed lol. I was just worried bout the weave maybe being more difficult to drill through and somehow bunching it or messing up the pattern. I'll dremel it...i will be drilling 3 small holes within very short distance of each other.

 

i have done this many times. i don't recommend using a small bit and stepping to larger bits. use a brad point bit if you have one. not required, however. starting small and going larger increases the chance of chipping the resin that holds the cf in place. a very small pilot hole to stop the final sized bit from wandering isn't a bad idea if you don't have a brad point bit, but don't make a production out of it. same goes for fiberglass. kevlar has some different issues. since you state that the edges of the hole will be covered, i wouldn't worry at all. drill away, it's easy.

 

For larger diameter holes, I'd recommend a Forstner bit -- it cuts at the outside radius first, then the interior of the hole. This prevents tearing at the edges. If the CF is well made it should never fray when cut with very sharp tools (saw, drillbit, router, etc.)
But for small holes (1/4" or less) a regular drill bit should be just fine.

 

put electrical tape over where your going to drill and if possible on the back too. This will help.

 

you stopped to think about this? I once put a phone mount in the dash of a Ferrari 456GTA. The only thing I did before firing up the Bosch drill was get the waiver signed

 

wear a respirator....cf is bad stuff for you lungs

 

I think PGT is right on this one -- we are all over-analyzing it a bit...
With all the adhesives available to us, why drill a friggin hole, anyway?

 

I'd 3M VHB before drilling CF (on a street car that is)

 

unfortunately the holes have to be drilled in my application. the control unit will be behind teh dash, two of the holes will allow me to see the leds, the other hole with have the button protruding through.

 

disassemble the control unit, mount the push button in the e-brake console, run wires for the LEDs up to the blank in the center console or even better, the tach.

 

Brilliant! that will involve some cutting/splicing...but i think i can handle it. the only problem i foresee is finding a clean way to mount leds. what blank in the center console are you referring to?

I may even try to mount them on the review mirror....

 

in the toggle bank...there's usually one unused, or, just put them above the actual toggles...plenty of room. I put my LED/sub control in the blank for the driving lights in teh parcel shelf.

might also want to check out the SpeedCheetah GPS mirror....I believe you can wire up an RD to trigger it