gulf zxr
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| posted on 13/2/07 at 09:26 PM |
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Aluminium behind seats??
Is the aluminium sheet behind the seats structural? I want to fit plastic to save weight. Is this OK
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JoelP
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| posted on 13/2/07 at 09:33 PM |
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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?
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DIY Si
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| posted on 13/2/07 at 09:36 PM |
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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.
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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DaveFJ
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| posted on 13/2/07 at 09:41 PM |
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is a plastic sheet really any lighter than thin ally?
Dave
"In Support of Help the Heroes" - Always
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JoelP
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| posted on 13/2/07 at 10:38 PM |
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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.
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RazMan
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| posted on 13/2/07 at 11:04 PM |
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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.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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worX
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| posted on 14/2/07 at 01:26 AM |
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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........
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bimbleuk
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| posted on 14/2/07 at 04:05 AM |
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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.
[img][/img]
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Avoneer
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| posted on 14/2/07 at 07:40 AM |
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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...
No trees were killed in the sending of this message.
However a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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smart51
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| posted on 14/2/07 at 08:39 AM |
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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.
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tks
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| posted on 14/2/07 at 10:03 AM |
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Stiffness
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
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Hellfire
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| posted on 14/2/07 at 12:23 PM |
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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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Werner Van Loock
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| posted on 14/2/07 at 12:37 PM |
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quote:
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...
I think that the way you used them, they are very structural as a box or triangle can only deform now if the panel gets bent.
Normally the rivets would break/bend and rivets have less strength then a panel on it's side. Only difference you have now is that in case of
collision that a panel could be pushed out (getting detached) of it's box/triangle instead of getting a dent and still be attached to the frame.
http://www.clubstylus.be
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mad4x4
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 posted on 14/2/07 at 01:00 PM |
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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.
Scot's do it better in Kilts.
MK INDY's Don't Self Centre Regardless of MK Setting !
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iank
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| posted on 14/2/07 at 01:14 PM |
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quote:
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.
Some new meaning to the word 'stupid'? 
Think that's a racing requirement (MSA?).
Just had a peek through the SVA manual and 15.2 (design and construction - Fuel/Electrical Systems) doesn't mention a firewall.
However there is a general catch all in 15.1 which puts it squarely on the examiner to make a call.
quote:
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.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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gulf zxr
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| posted on 15/2/07 at 08:27 PM |
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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!!
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DIY Si
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| posted on 15/2/07 at 08:31 PM |
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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.
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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