MikeE Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Justs thought but with the latest hyper power Duratecs engine installation and maintenance would be considerably easier or you could remove the side skins around the engine. Has anyone attempted a solution? RIF how about some removable carbon side skins around the engine?? R400 Duratec Build and Modification Pictures here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 I'm guessing it will be fine in the SV with non removable skins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeE Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 I have a S3 chassis R400 Duratec Build and Modification Pictures here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Surely just some flat carbon panels will do? You could have some De zues fasterners in the panels like the 24 hrs le mans 7's did. R500 260 BHP Mango Madness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclefester Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 That really wouldn't do the torsional rigidity any good at all! Someone should test this. No, not me, I'm too old and feeble. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds..ooooh hooo hooo!!... 😬 😬Abbey Road Time-Machine *eek* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Faulds Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 What are you trying to improve access to Mike? Other than the dry sump pump and hoses, nothing's *that* tricky to get at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeE Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 well having tried to get the dry sump pump off this weekend, situatated under the throttle bodies, I think access through the side panels would be a distinct advantage...just image the difficulty of trying to get to a supercharger in that positinion 😬 R400 Duratec Build and Modification Pictures here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Faulds Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 I'm tring to avoid thinking about superchargers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeE Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 Stuart get used to the idea, it's only a matter of time before a certain customer of yours caves into temptation 😬 R400 Duratec Build and Modification Pictures here Edited by - MikeE on 22 May 2007 23:35:06 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blade_runner Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 My Blade has a removable ali Panel on the near side engine bay. I can only guess, that when James whiting was building it, as it was the prototype. it was easier to design and fabricate the exhaust headers this way. the subsiquent whiting blades have just a hold cut in the side skin. while it doesnt look as good as a small hole with the exhaust coming through, it certainly does make it a easy job to remove the headers with the panel removed, and to get at the oil filter for changes 'Pinky Pics' here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 If the appeture is cut in the aluminium with radiused corners and suitable number of dzus fastenings, torsional impact should be small I have contemplated a panel on the o/s as access under TBs for hoses etc is limited and with an undertray its 30-40 mins to get it up in the air and tray on and off ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I've got an acess panel - it can also be used for an exhaust if I went all retro and fitted a Chinese engine here is C7 TOP Taffia Area Rep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Heesom Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Looking at the shape and method of attachment of the engine bay side panels, I doubt that they contribute much to the rigidity of the spaceframe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Martyn Heesom: What are you saying . . .. do you not know Blatchat folklore propagates the myth that the front side panels add torsional rigidity to the car It's the magic of the Chapman design that allows a curved, unsecured (other than at the edges) bit of 18 gauge ally sheet to add rigidity, where in any other similar application it would do precisely naff all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Adam If one has superior clam wings, it would be possible to cut a triangular access panel under them and keep it pretty well hidden, for access to alternator etc etc. ISTR the only panels that actively add ridgidity are the ones that are flat and wel riveted on, such as those surrounding the tunnel, the rear bulkhead panels and the inside/interior panels - maybe the floor aswell - but I guess as soon as the rivets fret and holes widen, any such advantage is lost!! www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 100,000 miles car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Heesom Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 " but I guess as soon as the rivets fret and holes widen, any such advantage is lost!!" The fretting of the rivets is a clue that the panel in question might be trying to stiffen the structure! I will need to make some kind of ritual sacrifice to avoid offending anyone who thought that Chapman's designs may not be ideal (much as Jochen Rindt did)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 The fretting of the rivets is a clue that the panel in question might be trying to stiffen the structure Yes, obvious really . . . I don't know why someone hasn't put a stiff one piece floor on a S3 car. Yes, access to the prop and transmission tunnel would be restricted, but something could be done to overcome this. Whilst they wre at it, maybe it would be a good idea to beef up the only other large stressed panel (i.e. the one behind the seats) that supports the diff and suspension mounts........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiF Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Certainly with our carbon side skins you could come up with a solution. There are several options. Give me a call sometime Mike if you are serious RiF Flying even faster in my very bright yellow 226bhp Duratec 7, with internal kevlar/carbon panels and pushrod suspension 😬 😬 😬.for pictures of 7 and carbon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I was told once that the racers in R400's replace the rear cockpit panel every season - dunno if its true here is C7 TOP Taffia Area Rep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Heesom Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 "I don't know why someone hasn't put a stiff one piece floor on a S3 car" Lotus 7's had a single sheet forming the floor and the backrest/boot floor. In my car this was steel, and the bends at the floor/backrest and backrest/boot floor made it reasonably stiff in some directions. In addition the rivets were monel, so did not rust or loosen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil.cavanagh Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Adam, I don't know why someone hasn't put a stiff one piece floor on a S3 car Doesn't your car have a 2mm one piece floor with additional chassis crossbracing and a centre tunnel that lifts out after a few dzus fasteners have been undone? Edited by - neil.cavanagh on 23 May 2007 14:16:45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Adam, Standard upgrade at Arch is thicker guage panel behind the seats and thicker guage floor panels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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