985cc Turbocharged Nova Sprint Car

[novarally]

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.

[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

[novarally]

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.

[novarally]

The exhaust system is on the 'in need of attention' list when it comes to weight saving;



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.

[mowgli]

Would ally tube survive the heat off the turbo? The airflow on a bike is way different to under a car floor

[novarally]

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.

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.

[mowgli]

it used to be called aluminum here too, but some scientists fell out & they changed it......

[Kev Turbo]

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

[novarally]

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.

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.

[BRoadGhost]

Love the chopping & the workshop looks good too