Lightweight Parts

[Hans ten Broeke]

To answer the question of Mark about the boot and the bonnet, the whole frame went out, only about 1/2 " of the standing up part keeps in place, so the side all around keeps his strength.
The hinges are still there, the previous car we had to take the whole bonnet away but that is not handy the loose bonnet is always in the way.

About making things lighter, we experimented quite a bit with the freaking heavy doors to.
Just everything out, and away even the rails where the door rubbers get in, but don't make the failure to take the inner door frame away to replace it with an alu plate or something, it will totally ruined the stability of the door, and will get floppy.
taking the inner frame away will safe less than a pound.
We closed all the ho;es with extreme thin alu sheet and (first make template rs) so no sharp edges (regulations) the hinges on it own can loose in detail work also quite some weight, next to the glued in damper plate and anti corrosion material.

Told this before, we have to run full glass, the works teems had this never homologated so Lexan is not allowed, but there is a gap in the rules so the window support stuff can get out, and now the window is pushed up by a single 1/2 " wide alu bracket poppet into the door frame.
Our doors are less than half the weight than an normal door. as always details do the trick, and that is ever so important if you want to beat these 2 door Escorts.
It seems these BDA engines grow here on every tree, anyway on this side of the pond, and we must admit the road holding and waight is alredy in standard form way better than our beloved Sprint.

Anyway the mision isn't over yet!!!!
Just arived the new Wosner pistons today 12.5 : 1 comp hope the cooling will keep up.

Hans

[KWM338R]

Thanks Hans, my Sprint is a family car most of the time, but i do some autocrosses over here (USA) sometimes, so I could do with losing a few pounds (car, not driver ), but it still needs to be comfortable and rattle free for transporting the kids and wife about. Strategic use of the hole saw is probably my best option.

Cheers
Mark

[ALGIK]

power to weight calc
http://www.dragsource.com/index.php?nav ... lctoview=7

[Mr.Speedy]

Mr. Weevil, can I suggest a 'glass front end on your sprintfire project. That coupled with the sprint lump instead of the all iron 1500 and steel front end will make quite a difference. - especially to the turn in response.
Also looking at 'glass boot lid. They must weigh half hundred weight! fibreglass rear wings are also available, but yet to find any doors.

[tinweevil]

Indeed you may! FG bonnet was one of the reasons I went for the basket case spit I bought on the basis that should negate the small engine weight increase. Bootlid I have isn't too well. I've looked at a few replacements, I'll look out for FG instead. Wings.... not sure. Bodywork isn't my forte plus I spent £200 on a complete tub that needs little work as the original was utterly shot.

Turned out the chassis is worse than it seemed as well. I still have the old one which I plan to chop up to make an engine test bed and practice building mounts/turrets on. In the mean time I think I've found an early Mk III GT6 chassis (roto). Legend has it these are made from slightly thicker steel than the Mk II and so are a fraction stiffer. Mad plans of buying some pure argon for my mates mig and learning to weld ally for the turrets. Then I wake up and have my cornflakes.

Tinweevil

[tinweevil]

Missed doors. Not seen any FG ones but Davesideways on CT has a source of honeycombe composite doors. I'll post a link next time I'm at home, can't log in to CT from here.

Tinweevil

[Mr.Speedy]

I may be interested in a pair of doors, depending on price of course!
I need to do something with the ones on it as the're non to healthy.

If you need any ali welding done off the car i can offer my services - I have a 500 amp TIG set in my workshop. "If it melts, we can weld it."

[tinweevil]

davesideways, October 17th, 2005, 1:46pm
As you may or may not know, I have access to some 20pairs of Epoxy Composite Doors and wide rear wings for spitfires, Mk1-2-3 mainly, but the doors can be used on GT6 and late models.

http://crazyspitfire.blogspot.com/ you can see some details here.

They fit better than any repo or standard metal door. These are a truely unique and engineered to the highest aerospace and german standards. Having seen them fitted 4 cars now, each owner has been absolutely delighted with them, and found panel gaps they could only dream of before!

Interested in replacing your metal doors? davidpowell@clara.co.uk

davesideways October 17th, 2005, 2:17pm
http://home.clara.net/ppowell/epoxy.jpg

Here is a better picture.

tinweevil, October 17th, 2005, 9:29pm
What does one weigh? Anybody got a door stripped they can weigh as comparison? What would need doing to use them on a Mk IV?

davesideways, October 17th, 2005, 11:10pm
3.8kilos bare. Std door is around 8-9 depending on filler, rust, awful repairs, multiple door skins etc

I have my superlight versions at a little over 5kilos complete with perspex window and all fittings bar hinges.

You just need to cut a hole to fit the square style Mk4 door catch on the inside, or change to Mk3 door cards and bottom door catches, very pretty simple. The outer door skin is uncut, so you can fit Mk1-2-3 outer door handles or MkIV style....

[Mr.Speedy]

They look funky!

Any idea on price?

[tinweevil]

Not a clue but I'd guess at a heartstopping wallet haemorrage. Doors I get but how on earth would you attach the wings?

I wonder how much a batch of dolly doors would cost, with extruded alloy channels of course That was a joke btw, a set of dolly doors have gotta be four times the cost of a pair of spit doors. A dolly bonnet on the other hand might just be practical. Hmmmm.

Tinweevil

[Mr.Speedy]

I 'spose you could just bond them on.

There are some bloody good adhesives about these days!

[Dolly racer 33]

Daz, my son, Tim has a f/glass bonnet & boot he may sell, sat in my barn. Do you want me to ask?

Ken.

[ALGIK]

Daz, my son, Tim has a f/glass bonnet & boot he may sell, sat in my barn. Do you want me to ask?

Ken.

Just seen this
Yes please Ken .