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Carbon Fiber Trunk Catapult

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Old 03-08-2010, 06:07 PM
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Carbon Fiber Trunk Catapult

So here's the deal. A got a cf trunk over a year ago and ever since installing it, I had to tie it down with bungee cords so that it wouldn't fling up so violently and almost break my rear window and maybe even rip the trunk from the latches. If a small cat were to sit on my trunk I could launch it at least 20 feet just by popping my trunk. Its that bad. So any body have any ideas on how to control how fast the trunk opens instead of replacing ripped bungee cords every month?

Thanks
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Old 03-08-2010, 06:13 PM
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Find some kinda way 2 mount weights on the inside of the trunk lid
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Old 03-08-2010, 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Ricky429
Find some kinda way 2 mount weights on the inside of the trunk lid
But wouldn't that completely negate the benefits of a CF trunk lid in the first place?
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Old 03-08-2010, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by mymaxi41691
If a small cat were to sit on my trunk I could launch it at least 20 feet just by popping my trunk. Its that bad.

Thanks
I'd pay to see this.

Like other guy said, you'll probably need some weights to counter-balance the mechanism that opens the trunk. It was designed with the factory trunk in mind. Nissan didn't intend for anyone to replace it with a much lighter trunk cover.
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Old 03-08-2010, 06:31 PM
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Maybe you could try removing the trunk torsion bars? This is for a 4th gen, but the 5th gen shouldn't be too different. (http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...97-maxima.html)
And I would like to see pics/vids of said cat catapult.
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Old 03-08-2010, 06:42 PM
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Use a dampener like Second Skin or Raam Mat to add weight.
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
I'd pay to see this.

Like other guy said, you'll probably need some weights to counter-balance the mechanism that opens the trunk. It was designed with the factory trunk in mind. Nissan didn't intend for anyone to replace it with a much lighter trunk cover.
Yeah, they also didn't intend for anyone to add turbos, exhausts, wheels, cf hoods, and all the other crap we do to our cars either haha.




And I've tried removing the torsion bars, but then the exact opposite happened, the trunk wanted to shut. So after catapulting the cat, I could chop its head off.

Oh, and weights, defeat the purpose of a cf trunk like Unklejoe said.
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:15 PM
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you really think the 20-40 lbs you "saved" really makes the car that much faster or quicker...trust me...it takes about 100-150lbs for us to see 0.1s off the 1/4 times on the N/a application.

Admit it....the trunk is for aesthetic purposes and add the little bit of weight.

btw the idea of the torsion bars was so our trunks popped open on their own but it never worked even from the factory as far as I know, so be happy that you are a maxima that has a self popping trunk
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by DrunkieTheBear
you really think the 20-40 lbs you "saved" really makes the car that much faster or quicker...trust me...it takes about 100-150lbs for us to see 0.1s off the 1/4 times on the N/a application.

Admit it....the trunk is for aesthetic purposes and add the little bit of weight.

btw the idea of the torsion bars was so our trunks popped open on their own but it never worked even from the factory as far as I know, so be happy that you are a maxima that has a self popping trunk

Alright maybe you're right. It is only for looks haha but still I'd rather not add weight. But as of now it looks like its that, or someone's dead cat.
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by mymaxi41691
Yeah, they also didn't intend for anyone to add turbos, exhausts, wheels, cf hoods, and all the other crap we do to our cars either haha.




And I've tried removing the torsion bars, but then the exact opposite happened, the trunk wanted to shut. So after catapulting the cat, I could chop its head off.

Oh, and weights, defeat the purpose of a cf trunk like Unklejoe said.
Adding a ten pound weight to keep your trunk from slinging open won't really make a difference in how fast your car is. If you're that worried about your car losing weight, driving naked should about counter-balance the 10 pounds you added in the trunk.
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
Adding a ten pound weight to keep your trunk from slinging open won't really make a difference in how fast your car is. If you're that worried about your car losing weight, driving naked should about counter-balance the 10 pounds you added in the trunk.



Loose the front seats (fully loaded airbag, heated and leather weighs roughly 75-100lbs) sit on egg crates
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:44 PM
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Its lose* by the way. Loose would define your vag.

I guess I'll be adding weights then.
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:45 PM
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I may want to *&$% off every time I go down the speedway. Gotta get rid of all that extra weight.
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:55 PM
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Add one of those engine damper shock things on the support arms of the trunk. Similar to how the hood has them to open it.
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by PulsarGTS
Add one of those engine damper shock things on the support arms of the trunk. Similar to how the hood has them to open it.
That sounds like it'd be more of a pain in the *** than it's worth.

I don't even know where you'd mount those in the trunk considering our trunks are on a u-shaped bracket.
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Old 03-08-2010, 08:03 PM
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IIRC, the trunk rods are different on the 3rd gens between those that came from the factory with a spoiler vs those that did not. So, which was your trunk originally from the factory...spoiler or none? It may be worth checking to see if the rods are different on a fifth gen Max.

If they are, and you originally had an oem spoiler, then you could try swapping out the trunk rods for those out of a non-factory spoiler trunk lid.

Just a thought.
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Old 03-08-2010, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
That sounds like it'd be more of a pain in the *** than it's worth.

I don't even know where you'd mount those in the trunk considering our trunks are on a u-shaped bracket.
I would guess you mount one end to the trunk hinge and the other to the bottom of the rear deck.
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Old 03-08-2010, 08:06 PM
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Put a video of you launching kitties!!!! Lol
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Old 03-08-2010, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
That sounds like it'd be more of a pain in the *** than it's worth.

I don't even know where you'd mount those in the trunk considering our trunks are on a u-shaped bracket.
Mount one end of the damper on the U bracket and the other end on a bracket mounted under the rear deck. Whether it will work or not idk, but its actually pretty simple.
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Old 03-08-2010, 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by PulsarGTS
Mount one end of the damper on the U bracket and the other end on a bracket mounted under the rear deck. Whether it will work or not idk, but its actually pretty simple.
I mean, I can see where you and Chris Gregg are coming from, but I can also see the damper getting caught on the lower lip of the rear window. Mainly because our trunks sort of "roll" up instead of opening on a hinge, if that makes any sense.

Unless I'm mis-interpreting your mounting points.
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Old 03-08-2010, 08:31 PM
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How about a inverted spring?
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Old 03-08-2010, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
I mean, I can see where you and Chris Gregg are coming from, but I can also see the damper getting caught on the lower lip of the rear window. Mainly because our trunks sort of "roll" up instead of opening on a hinge, if that makes any sense.

Unless I'm mis-interpreting your mounting points.
Nah, I know what your talking about man. They do curve up quite a bit.
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Old 03-09-2010, 06:46 AM
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Originally Posted by PulsarGTS
Add one of those engine damper shock things on the support arms of the trunk. Similar to how the hood has them to open it.
+1 I did this to my trunk. helps out alot. here is how i did it. one on each side.

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Old 03-09-2010, 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by cajun1104
+1 I did this to my trunk. helps out alot. here is how i did it. one on each side.
Word. It never occurred to me to mount them that way. Looks kind cool, though.
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Old 03-09-2010, 11:45 AM
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i did a bracket in mine and mounted the shock that i added to the rear support arm. It pivots on the one end and causes no issue.

My problem comes from all of the deadening, and i think youd continue to launch with 2 shocks, but one you should be fine. just install an L bracket on one side and mount to the rear deck. Youll be fine.
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Old 03-09-2010, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Unklejoe
But wouldn't that completely negate the benefits of a CF trunk lid in the first place?
No.. Unless he gets weights that are close to the weight of the factory trunk.
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