Is the aluminium sheet behind the seats structural? I want to fit plastic to save weight. Is this OK

IMHO it would have a contribution if it was well bonded, however, you could bond in a CRP sheet (ie carbon in plastic) which would (probably) be both stronger and lighter.

What plastic did you have in mind?

Depends upon how structural the panel is in you car. It can be used to add a little extra strength if required, or left as purely cosmetic/for keeping the crud out. If structural, bonded and riveted ally is fine, if cosmetic, use whatever you have/is cheapest/lightest/matches the colour scheme.

is a plastic sheet really any lighter than thin ally?

i would imagine that most plastics of a similar mass to an ally sheet would be quite flimsy, hence the existance of reinforced plastics like GRP.

I doubt there would be much of a weight advantage and it would probably flap around and make loads of noise also prone to getting broken by debris.

I have to admit, I went to a slightly thinner sheet of Ali to do my rear bulk head as I don't think it's structual and therefore to save weight........

This is a Striker chassis but the standard practise on these is to leave the rear panel removeable for access. So mine is 2.5mm ABS sheet.


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None of my ali panels (apart from the floor) are structural on my bitsablade due to the way I have fitted them inbetween the chassis tubes rather than on or behind them:

http://bitsablade.co.uk/displayimage.php?album=12&pos=7

Pat...

MNR supply a plastic panel for for the rear of the cockpit. With a big CDS roll hoop welded in, stiffness added by an ali panel would be minimal.

A typical plastic 2.7mm thick would weigh about the same as a 1mm ali panel of the same size. The plastic would be more immune to dents and ripples than the ali.

The stiffness added by the panels are huge!

there is only 1 thing thats in mind.. if you you rivet it with 4 pop rivets then offcourse it doesn't add..

sow its the way of mounting it wich says what you add..

Tks

Dark plastic expands a vast amount in the sun (ok, we don't get much but...). Aluminium reflects/disperses the heat more than a lump of plastic or GRP and as such looks flatter. Plastic heats up and begins to buckle an ripple where is it rivetted/screwed and IMO looks unsightly. It also weathers (hardens) in time and then it starts to crack at the securing points... just a little more information to make your decision!

ATEOTD it's your choice...


Steve

[Edited on 14-2-07 by Hellfire]

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Originally posted by Avoneer
None of my ali panels (apart from the floor) are structural on my bitsablade due to the way I have fitted them inbetween the chassis tubes rather than on or behind them:

http://bitsablade.co.uk/displayimage.php?album=12&pos=7

Pat...

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Is there not some stupid rule that the Fuel Tank has to be segragated from the passanger compart ment by a fire wall.

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Originally posted by mad4x4
Is there not some stupid rule that the Fuel Tank has to be segragated from the passanger compart ment by a fire wall.

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1. Check all aspects of the design and construction of the vehicle or its equipment are such that no danger is caused or likely to be caused to any person in the vehicle or to other road users.

Reasons for failure

1. A design or construction feature or characteristic is, or is likely to cause, a danger to any person in the vehicle or to other road users.

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Hi Guys,

Thans for all your input/thoughts. I think I will go along the lines of black ABS plastic for appearance purposes rather than have ali to clean/polish!!

Cleaning and polishing?! I can't even get at one side of mine so have never even attempted to try! Just keep a spare wet weather coat in the space and no-one'll know.