Right its coming to the point where i've got to make a decision, aluminium or fibreglass side panels for my st (now aries i suppose!) locost...?
Basically i've got three options;

1. Use the ali side panels that i got from from ian gray (st), which are unfolded and are designed to only fold over on the lower edge...
2. Buy some pre folded ali side panels (aries do them for approx £100) which will prob look a little neater.
3. Buy some grp side panels (£200 ish including vat and delivery from gts)

Now to me the grp looks the best when fitted, but how does it compare strength/weight wise with ali? also if i rivet/bond the ali panels do these contirbute to chassis stiffness?
Would my original side panels look a bit poor without a folded edge on the top chassis rail?

Cheers and thanks for your opinions

What about using your ali panels and covering the top rail with some ali U trim?

Just a thought.

Rich

i would go for fibreglass ones but thats my opinion. i got gts ones on mine. be warned i had a long wait for mine, alot longer than the original arranged time. and when they did come the packaging was terrible. which caused bit of damage but because the side panels were longer than needed when fully trimmed and fitted all the damage was cut out.
thats my 2p worth.

atb

rob

Aluminium will generally be lighter than fibreglass. Which you choose will be dependant on the look that you are after. Panels may or may not increase the rigidity of the chassis depending how they are fixed, but a decent chassis will be stiff enough anyway.

David

I made some f/glass ones for Deimos and they were ok. Decided I didn't like them, so now I've made some ally ones. Which I do

ATB

Simon

Judging by the sate of my MK fibreglass ones after a bit of use I'd go for Ali.

Stu

I made my own ally ones, it took a bit of time but i feel it was time well spent.

To cover the top edge in the cockpit i made from wooden 'arm rests' and covered them with the same cloth as the dash.

I feel it was a success and cheap too.


[img][/img]

If you are worried about looks, either go for fibreglass or painted ali.

If you just want to go as fast as possible ali - bare or painted.

Check-out Procomp's photo archive to see how good painted ali can look.

Are they folded over at the top chassis rail near the cockpit entry? I know ST ali panels used to be that way....

If so I'd use them. It's pretty easy to gently mallet (rubber face) the bottom ali over and rivet it.

Thanks for the replies everyone...

quote:

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Originally posted by BenB
Are they folded over at the top chassis rail near the cockpit entry? I know ST ali panels used to be that way....

If so I'd use them. It's pretty easy to gently mallet (rubber face) the bottom ali over and rivet it.

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Sign writing vinyl will do it for you.

I was going to get mine done that way but decided i liked it bare so left it as it was.

Chester Sportscars very often powdercoat the ali side panels of their cars (Tiger Supercats) and it looks really good. There are pics on their website anyway.

Black supercat

quote:

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Originally posted by locoboy
Sign writing vinyl will do it for you.

I was going to get mine done that way but decided i liked it bare so left it as it was.

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Cheers,

I was going the buy the vinyl from ebay and then bung my local signwritring fitter a tenner to apply it for me.

Its an art that take much practice, especially to apply to an area that large.

I done my sides and scuttle in vinyl. wasnt the most pleasant experience

powder coating would be my choice as they are off the car

crap pic sorry