A host of new body parts available Feb-Apr., 7 new hoods, ZR1 fenders and more

[Katech_Jason]

In the next few months, several new and exciting body parts will become available for the C6/Z06/ZR1. These parts are also priced very competitively. Katech will be taking pre-orders on these products now. Credit cards will not be charged until the product ships.

The material is RTM (Resin Transfer Molding)
Resin Transfer Molding is a manufacturing process where a fiberglass continuous mat is placed in a closed female / male tool. Under pressure the mold cavity is filled with liquid resin. An injection machine is used to fill the mold.

The RTM process utilizes large presses and heavy tooling to ensure high quality parts. The proprietary molds are computer temperature controlled for repeatability and part consistency. Average tool weight is 4-5000 lbs

-Parts are same thickness throughout, insure proper stack height and an excellent fit on the vehicle
-Smooth finish on both sides of panel
-Similar mechanical properties to SMC (Sheet Molding Compound)
-Consistent glass/resin ratio content
-Fully cured in mold
-High filler rate for great heat distortion resistance
-Tested for automotive glass A finish
-No air pocket or dry spots
-Tested for durability and show finish, will not distort under extreme heat
Environmentally freindly, low VOC emissions as part is cured in a closed mold




HOODS:
Available February 2009 unless otherwise noted
Initial reports from the manufacturer state that these hoods are lighter than production C6 hoods. Exact numbers will be provided at a later date.

Corvette ZR1-style smooth hood
-No center window
-Will not clear Magnuson superchargers
$1399

Corvette ZR1-style hood with bolt-in polycarbonate window
-Polycarbonate window is removable
-Window may be interchanged with a bolt-in louver set
-Will not clear Magnuson superchargers
-$1599

Corvette ZR1-style hood with bolt-in louver set
-Louver set is removable
-Louvers are functional
-Will not clear Magnuson superchargers
-Availability April 2009
$1599

Corvette ZR1-style smooth Monster hood
-No center window
-Will clear Magnuson superchargers
-Availability TBD
$1399

Corvette ZR1-style Monster hood with bolt-in polycarbonate window
-Polycarbonate window is removable
-Window may be interchanged with a bolt-in louver set
-Will clear Magnuson superchargers
-Availability TBD
-$1599

Corvette ZR1-style Monster hood with bolt-in louver set
-Louver set is removable
-Louvers are functional
-Will clear Magnuson superchargers
-Availability TBD
-$1599

Katech Street Attack hood
-Design TBA
-Tooling is based off of these ZR1 hoods (similar) so availablity should be this spring if everything goes well.

Bolt-in polycarbonate window
-$399

Functional louver insert
-$299


FENDERS:
ZR1-style fenders
-Availability March 2009
-No emblem hole
-$1699 (pair)


SPLITTER:
ZR1-style front splitter
-Price TBA


ROCKERS:
ZR1-style side rockers
-Availabiltiy March 2009
-Price TBA


SPOILERS:
ZR1-style rear spoiler
-Availability April 2009
-Price TBA

Katech Street Attack spoiler
One of my top priorities upon moving to my position as Director of Aftermarket operations at Katech Performance is to get these body parts going. The highest on my list was the spoiler. I'm happy to say that we have completed the design and it looks amazing. Aggressive, yet classy. We are currently programming and machining a renboard mold plug which will be used to make the carbon fiber mold.
-Availabilty March 2009
-Made from motorsports-quality carbon fiber
-RTM version may be made at a later date
-Competitively priced

[cya]

Pictures?

[Glennm27]

Pretty cool stuff. I'll probably be in for the Splitter and Street Attack spoiler. I'll be watching for more info.

I live in PA but have friends in Northville MI and Livonia. I just may stop into your shop to say hi sometime this summer...

[Katech_Jason]

Originally Posted by cya

Pictures?

Parts don't exist yet. They are making molds. I'll be posting pictures the moment I get them.

[PCMusicGuy]

This is great news! I look forward to seeing the quality of the ZR1 style fenders and the new KSA spoiler. Just a quick couple of questions on the fenders: are they the same width as the ZR1 fenders and is the plan to have them be bolt on replacements (i.e. using same hardware) for the C6 and ZO6?

[Katech_Jason]

Here are some higher res renderings.

[Katech_Jason]

Originally Posted by PCMusicGuy

This is great news! I look forward to seeing the quality of the ZR1 style fenders and the new KSA spoiler. Just a quick couple of questions on the fenders: are they the same width as the ZR1 fenders and is the plan to have them be bolt on replacements (i.e. using same hardware) for the C6 and ZO6?

They are the same width as the ZR1. They are a direct bolt on replacement for the Z06 and are a bolt on for the C6 and Convertible with an optional installation kit.

[Katech_Jason]

progress.

[David_Yu]

I bet some ZR1 owners will be ordering the louver replacement panel hood!

Who's going to turn down better cooling, more downforce AND losing the dorkiest-looking feature on the stock ZR1?

Will your hood weigh a lot more than the stock CF ZR1 item?

[JThomas]

Looks like some very nice products Jason!

[Katech_Jason]

Originally Posted by David_Yu

I bet some ZR1 owners will be ordering the louver replacement panel hood!

Who's going to turn down better cooling, more downforce AND losing the dorkiest-looking feature on the stock ZR1?

Will your hood weigh a lot more than the stock CF ZR1 item?

It will be a little more, but close.

[Katech_Jason]

From ACS:

The first outer panel has been produced; generally several cycles are allocated in order to determine the specific variables to properly produce each panel. We can proudly state the first part has successfully passed QC. Several coupons will now be cut and analyzed to verify the glass content and various mechanical properties of the composite material.

Note the inner surface is as smooth as the outer side of the panel, the controlled thickness enables to obtain a specific stack height (stack height is the addition of the inner and outer panel along with the required adhesive between them) in order to get a perfect fit on the vehicle.

Unlike conventional hand laminated or infused fiberglass hoods no gelcoats are used in an ACS panel. The absence of gelcoat permits to detect if there are any dry spots or imperfections in the laminate. Generally microscopic air pockets occur in hand laminates, these pockets or also known as pinholes are concealed by the gelcoat, once the panel is exposed to the elements and more specifically summer heat, the microscopic air pocket will expand and cause a blister. A black hood on a vehicle will be exposed to surface temperatures exceeding 180 deg F. Another reason why RTM is favorable to the automotive requirements is the fact the resin is injected under pressure, hence drastically reducing the likelihood of air pockets, nonetheless it is preferred to apply primer as a post operation in order to inspect and fully warrant each panel is as perfect as possible.

[Katech_Jason]

Preorder now available in our online store
http://store.nexternal.com/shared/St...unt2=526542305

[09C6ZR1]

SUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE would like to see a picture of the louvered hood!!!!!!!!

[Finelee]

Originally Posted by Katech_Jason

Preorder now available in our online store
http://store.nexternal.com/shared/St...unt2=526542305

Any Z06 guys want to sell their stock front fenders?

[Katech_Jason]

[Katech_Jason]

Inner Panel Tooling Update (February 6th 2009)

The ACS Zr1 RTM inner hood panel tool is completed and awaiting press time for its troubleshooting and pre-production session. A full day of testing is scheduled in order to determine the various injection parameters of the part. Given the complexity of the part we expect several trials in order to perfect the various variables in the manufacturing process. Hopefully testing will go well and next week we’ll be able to enter the next stage of the hood development; our first assembly. Our robotic water jet will need to be programmed along with our adhesive dispensing robot. Still quite some work, as a fixture for each robot needs to be validated along with the most critical of all, the bonding and assembly fixture. Thankfully for the RTM process each part will be the same thickness, hence our assembly fixture will be able to hold each panel, outer and inner panel, in the same location each cycle in order to insure a perfect fit on each vehicle.

[Katech_Jason]

The ACS Zr1 RTM inner hood panel testing has been completed. Session went much better than anticipated. Part thickness is fairly thin considering we are targeting an extremely high glass content. We managed to produce our part on its second trial. We are very happy with the quality of the part and can now proceed to our next stage; post operations. Panel trimming, assembly and finishing. As with all ACS panels, the hoods will be prepped and primed. This actually entails a quad step, as parts are really, sanded, primed, re-sanded and final primed. This ensures each customer receive a high quality part. Most aftermarket composite parts are sold in the gel coat stage. Basically a part right out of the tool and assembled. The extra labor involved is a great opportunity for us to verify the quality of our panel and ensure the customer will have a low cost final prep prior to paint.

[dcorn]

That hood looks sooo much better than the stock window hood. The only thing I'd hate is losing a CF hood. I doubt there will really be a market for used ZR1 stock hoods either.

[Katech_Jason]