John Vine Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 Thanks, James. Fear not, your basic design remains intact. I might go for a base plate 250mm deep. It depends on the best place to locate the clamps (which are due to arrive this week).Btw, the "alum-droitwich" people were very helpful. They include two cuts FOC, and 50p/cut thereafter. At that price, I'll send them the exact measurements.More news later.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted May 25, 2020 Author Leadership Team Share Posted May 25, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john milner Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 I did think about making a sump guard a few years ago but decided not to on the basis that a cracked sump is probably easier to fix than a bent chassis, that is provided you don't end up driving with insufficient oil. I still think that is true but a guard made from a thin sacrificial material should at least reduce an impact while not damaging the chassis. Perhaps a mesh of some sort would work as it would allow a cooling airflow, have little impact transfer to the chassis and be lightweight. Without full testing facilities it may be better to play it safe and under specify the strength of the components. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 Re #51:Hi James,An update...The clamps arrived today. I attached them loosely to the cruciform to get an idea of the best shape for the base plate. The first thing that became clear was that the S3 cruciform is different to the CSR one. There's room for a deeper plate, and one that avoids having to file or round off the rear clamps.I ended up ordering (from alum-droitwich, as recommended):Base plate: 400x250x6, to be cut (FOC) to 330 one side and 250 the opposite sideImpact plate: 250x250x2 (chequer plate), to be cut (FOC) to 230x240While I'm waiting for these to arrive, I'm going to mock up the base plate in stiff cardboard, and use it to fix the positions of the clamps.More news later.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted May 30, 2020 Author Leadership Team Share Posted May 30, 2020 Sounds like excellent progress, John. Keep us posted with progress!James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 An update...So far, I've drilled the main holes in the base plate:The plate is quite a bit deeper than yours:I managed to make a bit of a cock-up with the order from the alum-droitwich people. I thought I'd included cutting instructions when I paid via PayPal, but somehow I failed to click "Add". That cost me return postage, and then the diagonal cuts were extra as well!The next step is to bolt the base plate onto the cruciform and work out where the impact plate should go. I ordered some 2mm chequer plate but it's so difficult to bend I ordered some 1.5mm plain plate.More news later....JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCol Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 In #54, John Vine said "I'm going to mock up the base plate in stiff cardboard"mmmm... CAD... (for Binky fans!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 John,If you anneal the chequer plate it will make it much easier to work,Coat the bend area with soap (fairy of similar) heat form the other side with a blow touch evenly until the soap turns dark brown - almost black.Allow to cool (don't quench)work until it becomes obvious its hardened, then clean with wire brush to bright metal and repeat the above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 Re #58:That's a good tip, Neil. Thanks.I bought the chequer plate because that's what James used. The 1.5mm plate has a smooth surface, which I'm hoping will give a better ride to any oncoming flints, rocks or cat's-eyes. Mind you, I won't be seeking an active road test!JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted June 18, 2020 Author Leadership Team Share Posted June 18, 2020 I used chequer plate only because I had a piece lying around!Looking forward to seeing the finished article, John.James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 I realised that, James, but I thought I'd copy yours as it looked très posh!More news later.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted June 18, 2020 Author Leadership Team Share Posted June 18, 2020 Ah yes, there's nothing better than a bit of underside poshness... James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sooty Posted June 19, 2020 Share Posted June 19, 2020 Cannot beat a polished bottom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 Well, I've pretty well completed the guard. I'm just waiting for the paint on the wooden packing blocks to dry.Base plate with all holes drilled:Impact plate:Assembled plates (I decided it would be easier to retain the straight sides, so no fancy curves, I'm afraid):Top side of base plate with clamps:Packing blocks (in sexy red, to match my horns!):I had to make two smaller blocks as my mitre saw wasn't big enough to take one big block.Weights:Base plate 1170gClamps 400g (4x 100g)Impact plate 220gThat makes about 1.5kg including screws etc.I've fitted the plates to the car, and will be fitting the blocks tomorrow.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted June 21, 2020 Author Leadership Team Share Posted June 21, 2020 Looking good!!You might start a trend with the snazzy colours...James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted July 3, 2020 Author Leadership Team Share Posted July 3, 2020 Any further progress to report, Mr Vine?James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 Indeed there is. I've been away for a while, but before I left, I managed to mount the guard and take a few pics: I'm hoping it'll do the job, although I have no plans to test it!JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted July 3, 2020 Author Leadership Team Share Posted July 3, 2020 All done - - looks good!Like you, I'm hoping not to test mine...James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 Just leaves me to say many thanks for posting up the original idea!And if there are other S3 owners looking to do something similar, I'd be happy to advise...JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenF Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 Just wondering if there is any more feedback on this idea, now that people have run this solution for a while?Am planning on doing something similar for my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 Re #70:Well, my guard is still fitted, but so far I've managed to avoid testing it in anger. No doubt James will be along soon to add his comments...JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc007 Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 Does this still allow you to use the cruciform as a jacking point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted April 13, 2022 Author Leadership Team Share Posted April 13, 2022 Replying to #71:"No doubt James will be along soon to add his comments..."I actually sold my CSR at the end of 2020 so I'm not able to offer any further comment, I'm afraid. Except that the royalty fees from the international licensing deals are very welcome... James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john milner Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 I like it but I think the design would benefit from something softer than a lump of wood. Builders expanding spray foam might work as it would fill any gaps perfectly and can be easily drilled and cut when set. Too much force pushed into the cruciform could work out more expensive than a cracked sump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted April 13, 2022 Author Leadership Team Share Posted April 13, 2022 Feel free to try it, though I suspect you are slightly misunderstanding (a) the 'lift and slide' dynamics and (b) the strength and stiffness of the cruciform area. A foam approach might well introduce too much compliance, offering minimal protection to the sump leading edge whilst trying to protect a structural area that is likely to be strong enough in any case. My own assessment is that the stiffer the wedge or block the better, but this ideal has to be tempered by weight, cost and 'shapeability' considerations. Access to a machine shop to generate a solid, formed aluminium wedge or block might be the perfect solution. Steel is obviously too heavy, as is rubber. Several other alternatives were considered and rejected on cost and/or formability grounds. In this context, plain old hardwood serves remarkably well, but each to their own!James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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