nice wheels mate you picked a colour for it yet nd have you got any videos of it racing
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nice wheels mate you picked a colour for it yet nd have you got any videos of it racing
Oh my those wheels are sexy :wisewood:
Still not spoken to John Sutton, the boss of the company. He seems to be very poor at returning phone calls.Quote:
Originally Posted by SimonTW
I'll try again tomorrow.
I've now caught up with him, and the Nova is booked in for paint stripping in a couple of weeks time. John reckons that the powdercoat will actually be lighter than wet spraying paint, but he is also a chemist by profession, so he's going to do the calculations to be 100% sure. He also says powdercoat is perfect for finishing the underside, wheel arches and engine bay, so I may as well get all those done whilst it's with them.Quote:
Originally Posted by SimonTW
That will just leave an outer top coat to apply once all the carbon fibre/fibreglass panels are fitted into place.
What I still haven't decided on is the colour!
So, with a deadline to work to, I've started getting all the bits removed from it, and I've got cracking with all the structural metalwork which needs doing before it can be primed.
Photos to follow soon!
Carbon fibre front end removed (not very tricky!);
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/002-57.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/003-59.jpg
Intercooler and radiator removed, along with the front slam panel;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/005-40.jpg
Bit of messing about with a slightly smaller width radiator, which would allow me to get a more direct airflow into the turbocharger;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/004-48.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/011-27.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/006-41.jpg
Unfortunately the alternative radiator is slightly taller than the old one, and there's not enough room under the slam panel for it, with the intercooler on top as well. The only way I'm going to be able to accommodate it will be to slant the radiator forward to get some clearance.
I've chopped the rest of the front inner wings out to save a bit more weight (about 1.5kg);
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/010-31.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/009-32.jpg
The gaps will be filled in with carbon fibre sheet eventually.
I'm also carrying out major metalwork at the back end, removing all the metal I can get away with in accordance with the Regulations;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/012-28.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/013-21.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/014-24.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/017-33.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/018-29.jpg
The pile of rear metalwork so far (nearly 4kg);
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/019-25.jpg
I shall take expert advice before I do it, but I plan to also remove the rearmost sections of chassis rail behind the mountings for the anti roll bar, along with the outer sections of the wheel arches;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/015-26.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/016-32.jpg
I've also acquired a rather nice carbon fibre brake pedal, which previously did service in a 1992 Formula 1 Arrows Footwork car;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/002-59.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/001-24.jpg
I have serious doubts about whether it can be made to fit my pedal box, but it looks nice.........
And my existing alloy oil catch tank is too heavy, so I'm going to make my own out of carbon fibre, using some of this tubing I got hold of;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/021-19.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/020-21.jpg
Getting rather happy with the grinder there Colin lol
As for the rear sections since you've cut out all they attach to you'll lose nothing by trimming them down, in fact trimming them down and then capping them off may well be stiffer if anything, at the moment though they're just flapping in free air so not doing anything at all. I would leave your wheelarches as is as they're actually probably the strongest thing on a nova, and your ARB attaches to them.
Edit: although anything behind the ARB or the outer part of the arches or actually 'inner arch' as you'd call them if doing bodywork like an arch repair if that makes sense?... could go, as they're only .5mm stuff and not really structural.
I'd only be removing the outer bits of the wheel arch, not the sections where the roll cage/ARB mounts attach to.Quote:
Originally Posted by MK999
Not sure if its already been discused in the previous 152 pages - but a weight saving trick the Nova rallycross challenge cars used to do is trim down all the door/window apperutures where the rubber seals sit - you could probably lose about 6/7 mm round each door/window etc before you refit the rubbers (You've probably done away with the rubbers already ;) )
It's not something the scrutineers used to pick up on !! - and every bit counts
The rubbers are long gone, but I must say this is a new one to me. It would definitely be classed as a cheat, and not one I would want to risk.Quote:
Originally Posted by fearless
Its only bending the rules slightly :) - Is there a specific rule that you would be breaking ? Your only bringing the shell to within Vauxhalls 5mm tollerance of panel fit of the 80's -LOL
Specifically you aren't allowed to removal metal between the wheel centres in the name of weight saving. How that would be interpreted in temrs a +/- tolerances is a good point though.Quote:
Originally Posted by fearless
The exhaust system is on the 'in need of attention' list when it comes to weight saving;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/009-33.jpg
The complete side-exit system from the turbo back weighs in at nearly 5.5kg.
I've been in consultation with a local exhaust specialist that does a lot of work with race bikes, and we've decided to make a larger bore system out of aluminium tube.
The heat close to the turbo will prevent aluminium being used at that end, but it won't be a problem further back, and will offer a useful saving in weight, and maybe some extra power/torque from the larger bore.
We looked at titanium and Inconel, but the costs of materials is high, and the fabrication costs are even worse.
Aluminium is lighter still, easy to work with and relatively cheap.
On a race car used over short distances like mine, it would appear to be the ideal solution.
Would ally tube survive the heat off the turbo? The airflow on a bike is way different to under a car floor
I've been doing plenty of research on the subject, and I'm confident that it can survive in the short duration bursts it will see.Quote:
Originally Posted by mowgli
This link has loads of information (and some of the nicest welding I've ever seen);
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php...minium+exhaust
Seems aluminum (as they call it) is pretty common in the USA for exhaust systems.
it used to be called aluminum here too, but some scientists fell out & they changed it......
I just love this thread.
The dedication is supurb and its great when i see the Kg's falling off the car.
What realistically do you think you can get the car down to weight wise?
I often laugh when i see people go to these measures to loose weight off there car then i see them on the drag strip and they are 20 stone!
Surly a huge investment would be made in Driver weight also - Its free also :)
I cant remeber your size though so you cant be a big person or it would have stuck in my mind :)
Great work Colin
Yep, I'm overweight........but I am working on that too, having just got a new mountain bike which I'm enjoying.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kev Turbo
My ultimate target for the Nova is 540kg. I just can't see it can go any lighter than that within the Regulations I need to adhere to.
Love the chopping & the workshop looks good too :)
re the acid dip argument.... if you did strip & acid dip it, then clean it up properly, followed by a really thin coat of paint, it would save you a fair few kg, but you obviously would need to keep it in the dry to stop it rusting..
i read a story about the skoda rally team.. they were so short of funds, that they had to get really clever, so the rally shells would be put thru the acid baths on the production line time & time again to get the metal thinner to get the weight down.
Not much to report as I've barely been at home in the last couple of weeks, but a small update;
Carbon fibre seat mounts have arrived, specially made for me by my friend Simon at Reverie;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/006-44.jpg
And some more custom bits knocked up by a friend in his lunch hour;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/013-22.jpg
And the start of my experimentations with making a carbon fibre gear lever, to replace the rather heavy duty billet alloy one that's been in there previously;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ort/012-29.jpg
every kilo helps, is that a solid carbon rod or is it a tube?
Tube.....solid would be far too heavy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dervy
im guessing that weighs bugger all then
It's very light, but obviously very strong too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dervy
My plan later is to replace all the gear linkage rods with carbon tube, and make the steering column out of it as well.
My friend still cant believe that steering wheel never mind the car!
keep up the good work.
Angus
Where's the carbon rod from Colin - looking for some for my project
I've been using www.carbonology.com excellent service and good qualityQuote:
Originally Posted by fearless
how much wet running do you do colin? im gussing not alot, if that is the case cant you ditch the wiper set up?
i knew there would be some nice goodies but wasn't expecting this amount of updates/work since i was last on here
as far as i know you need them ........Quote:
Originally Posted by burgo
Regulations require a functioning wiper system to remain in place, irrespective of the weather.Quote:
Originally Posted by burgo
Is that big alloy plate under the pedals as thick/heavy as it looks? If so, ripe for a cored carbon sheet with inserts in it.
Not sure id be so keen on a carbon column if Im honest. but you could certainly swap out the heavy rods for some larger diameter CDS tube?
Looking really good though! An inspiration on weight saving!
No, it's just very thin gauge aluminium sheet bent up to make a foot support. But I may well change it for carbon when I put it all back together.Quote:
Originally Posted by alistairolsen
Various F1 cars have used carbon fibre in the steering columns, so I cannot see any safety issues at all.
Colin just going back to paint or powder coat would a Vinyl rap be lighter ?.
Hmmm, functioning wiper...Quote:
Originally Posted by novarally
5inch long single wiper when it's not raining?
I have no real idea comparing one with the other, but you couldn't apply the wrap over bare metal, so in addition to a coat of paint it would have to be heavier.........Quote:
Originally Posted by phunkynova
Do like those seat mounts!
Sorely tempted to nick that idea & make some at work over the weekend, more for sheer looks TBH lol lol
I'll take 4 :) Especially since you can't charge me for them lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Mike
Cant make anything at work for personal gain. Unless I supply my own matierials & time :) I spend all day making M600 bodyshells, One-77 undertrays & Vantage rear diffusers. Pair of seat mounts will be a doddle!!Quote:
Originally Posted by MK999