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Completely silly idea for a sump guard?
55ant - 29/3/10 at 04:57 PM

Right, may be a really idiotic idea, but having been driving the indy much more recently, im all to familiar with the ground clearance and im always worried about peircing the sump,

so i have been looking at sump guards, feeling i would need a reasonable thickness of metal to protect the underside, so how about wooden plank running underneath the car, think its done in single seater race cars?

is it a really silly idea, would it just get ripped off?

feel free to giggle and point.

graememk - 29/3/10 at 05:02 PM



what about some roller skate wheels ?

owelly - 29/3/10 at 05:04 PM

I'm thinking 'road sign'...........

blakep82 - 29/3/10 at 05:06 PM

that would work fine i think

madrallysport - 29/3/10 at 05:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
I'm thinking 'road sign'...........


Done this before..............

mangogrooveworkshop - 29/3/10 at 05:22 PM

F1 use wood

mad4x4 - 29/3/10 at 05:23 PM

Found putting a sump guard on mine made it so low I couldn't then reverse up my drive....

Took it off and bought a short sump kit.

speedyxjs - 29/3/10 at 05:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mangogrooveworkshop
F1 use wood


Isnt that more a skid plank than a sump guard?

Snuggs - 29/3/10 at 05:50 PM

I made a 2mm ali plate that curved up the front of the sump and stuck it to the sump with a 6mm layer of high temp silicone sealer.

StevieB - 29/3/10 at 05:56 PM

Monocoque single seaters tend to have a plank fitted to the underside that is a sacrificial barrier to prevent the actual monocoque from getting grounded out and ruined.

Fitment of a plank is mandatory in some formula's, including F1.

I can't remember the name of the material, but it's a very strong and lightweight version of plywood IIRC.

Would a plastic tea tray do the trick? might melt a bit, but then just replace it.

[Edited on 29/3/10 by StevieB]

Peteff - 29/3/10 at 05:57 PM

Mount the numberplate low down at the front so it grounds at the same level as the sump, when it catches, brake quick .

speedyxjs - 29/3/10 at 06:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Mount the numberplate low down at the front so it grounds at the same level as the sump, when it catches, brake quick .


Thats actually a really good idea!

deanwelch - 29/3/10 at 06:10 PM

don't use wood.............use metal...........much safer,stonger and maybe lighter..........

grub - 29/3/10 at 06:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Mount the numberplate low down at the front so it grounds at the same level as the sump, when it catches, brake quick .
or if its a bike engine same method but dont brake give it a boot full and weelie over it

Canada EH! - 29/3/10 at 08:01 PM

Does the front suspension not droop when you apply the brakes, therefore loosing ground clearence?

craig1410 - 29/3/10 at 08:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Canada EH!
Does the front suspension not droop when you apply the brakes, therefore loosing ground clearence?


Yeah, I always approach the speed bumps and get all my braking done before I reach them. I then accelerate over the bump to raise the nose. Rear clearance isn't my problem, it's the 3" clearance under the sump.

One thing I was planning to do is to mount a couple of soft wood "skis" either side of the sump with a ramp at the front and with the skis just proud of the sump by maybe 5mm. This won't guard against something like a big stone which might go between the skis but will help lift the sump over a speed bump or cushion. The obvious place to mount the wood is on the chassis tubes either side of the sump. I might also have a piece of wood across the front of sump between the two skis to protect the sump a little from the large stone I mentioned at the start.

But hey, if the sump gets clobbered then just shut off the engine and call the breakdown recovery truck. Hopefully the crank won't get any damage and you'd be unlucky to get swarf in the engine. Don't let worrying about stuff like this deprive you of time on the road having fun!

dan8400 - 29/3/10 at 08:13 PM

There is a chance if you stuff it the wood will break and could enter the cockpit. ie: snap in half and come through aluminium floor.

Just a thought. Metal would either save your sump or dent or bend but not shatter

Dan

iDENTITi - 29/3/10 at 08:21 PM

2mm ally supported by a frame around the sump would work..
Steel would make fun sparks though

Litemoth - 29/3/10 at 08:44 PM

How about an old skateboard?

Seroiusly, Kevlar sheet or Polypropylene sheet maybe


RS Linky

Or HERE

[Edited on 29/3/10 by Litemoth]

coozer - 29/3/10 at 09:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by deanwelch
don't use wood.............use metal...........much safer,stonger and maybe lighter..........


Metal lighter than wood? really??

tonym - 29/3/10 at 09:02 PM

Jabwok is what is used in F1. Some type of composite material but God knows where you can get it from.

kipper - 29/3/10 at 09:23 PM

I seem to remember clarkson fitting a plywood plank to a renault. It all ended in flames
Denis.

Brommers - 29/3/10 at 09:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by tonym
Jabwok is what is used in F1. Some type of composite material but God knows where you can get it from.


In fact, it's called Jabroc. It's laminated beech wood. No idea where you'd get it from either, though...

andrew-theasby - 29/3/10 at 10:22 PM

We use jabroc at work, and also a similar product called micarta, just found a web page to make your own, locost style. Not sure how suitable polyester resin would be, but the proper stuff we have at work, would be perfect.
link

andrew-theasby - 29/3/10 at 10:29 PM

Or tufnol, I imagine these are all brand names though of a similar product try here

55ant - 30/3/10 at 06:58 AM

cheers for the responses all, hadnt thought about fire risk! my main concern is speed bumps and clipping the sump,

think ill just chuck some ali under there now.