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View Full Version : removing spare wheel well


Fow16v
06-01-11, 05:17 PM
whos done it? how have you gone about it where did you cut etc, did you plate over it or weld something in place? any pics would be nice, id like to loose the one on my track car for extra space under the back and some weight saving.

Ryan
Andy
06-01-11, 05:28 PM
Iirc it saves no weight
Edd
06-01-11, 05:32 PM
not worth doing imo
MK999
06-01-11, 05:33 PM
Depends what you fill the space with but it is grams, replacing it with sheet steel is a false economy as it has to be thicker to maintain it's shape (unless you don't care about having rolf harris in the boot) and the wheel well is pressed from a sheet of thinner steel.

A carbon fibre sheet would save some weight though.
novasrikev
06-01-11, 05:52 PM
the spair wheel well weighs 16grams when cut out
Count Vaux Alot
06-01-11, 06:22 PM
Area to be removed

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay144.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay277.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay274.jpg

If you cut the ribs like this it will lay flat

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay272.jpg

Alli sheet cut to shape (2-3mm thick) and stika flexed and riveted home

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay279.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay281.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay286.jpg

Hope that helps :thumb:
burgo
06-01-11, 07:57 PM
the spair wheel well weighs 16grams when cut out

i think your scales are broke. i definitely saved weight with mine

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/sclurgess/pv%20project/SAM_0526.jpg
Benn
06-01-11, 08:33 PM
Wish i hadn't. Really thinking of adding one back in.
Count Vaux Alot
06-01-11, 09:33 PM
Wish i hadn't. Really thinking of adding one back in.

:gay:
Benn
06-01-11, 09:35 PM
Screw that, having a spare wheel can be handy. I cut mine for to clear a sh*t exhaust that i didn't like once fitted.
Fow16v
07-01-11, 06:39 PM
Cheers for the help lads, count vaux them pics are a massive help, if I did it would be replaced with ally sheet so would save a bit of weight but mainly to accomadate the exhaust as it sometimes knocks, mite just test it with a mallet yet tho lol
Count Vaux Alot
08-01-11, 12:36 AM
the spair wheel well weighs 16grams when cut out


Not true - I weighed mine - The wheel well weighed in at 4.8kgs and the ali at 2.6kgs so a saving of 2.2kgs
Paul
08-01-11, 12:56 AM
Pics in build thread, i did mine for straighter exhaust route and a bigger backbox to keep it quiet.
Benn
08-01-11, 10:49 AM
Fow sell me it i'll weld it back in mine..lol
dan23
08-01-11, 05:06 PM
Screw that, having a spare wheel can be handy. I cut mine for to clear a sh*t exhaust that i didn't like once fitted.

i have a spare wheel holder for sell not sure of the correct name for it, it will bolt to your flat boot floor:thumb:
Fow16v
08-01-11, 07:49 PM
not 100% sure if im gonna do it yet as depends how long it takes me to get my **** in gear and get the engine back in. Its not needed as the car is for track use and its in the way of the back box.
Dan
08-01-11, 09:51 PM
I have pondered this, but like with a few of my choices i may be abit weird in my thinking. Weightloss that far back in the car isnt really a big advantage unless you are straight line racing. My thinking has always been to remove any essential weight from the front half of the vehicle, then when a set percentage has gone you can remove from the back also to maintain a nicer balance.

Also another of my thoughts was that, with the rear well gone, does this not then make your rear bumper act like a huge air brake under the car with less to disturb the airflow at it.

It may be one of those marmite things, but although it can look and sound a feasable option. for me personally its a big nono, unless you address the last issue raised like others have done, which is more faff for very little gain as more weight is added back for 'possibly' no gain. (i say possibly as any minimal gain may just be replacing what was lost in the first place)
burgo
09-01-11, 04:34 PM
I have pondered this, but like with a few of my choices i may be abit weird in my thinking. Weightloss that far back in the car isnt really a big advantage unless you are straight line racing. My thinking has always been to remove any essential weight from the front half of the vehicle, then when a set percentage has gone you can remove from the back also to maintain a nicer balance.

Also another of my thoughts was that, with the rear well gone, does this not then make your rear bumper act like a huge air brake under the car with less to disturb the airflow at it.

It may be one of those marmite things, but although it can look and sound a feasable option. for me personally its a big nono, unless you address the last issue raised like others have done, which is more faff for very little gain as more weight is added back for 'possibly' no gain. (i say possibly as any minimal gain may just be replacing what was lost in the first place)

it would normally yes but because mine is a saloon it has the skinny bumper and then cut the rear panel as well and now air brake :d be careful of the edges on the rear panel if working underneath it though lol, i near enough cut my arm off and pv.

plus the whole reason i cut my wheel well out and rear panel is to make room for a diffuser