Fallon Posted September 30 Share Posted September 30 Hello all, Following on from my overheating issue that I was helped with so much on here I have another question. Long story short, track day with a friend, he prangs it breaking the nose cone, radiator and Fan. I have replacement fan and radiator sourced from here after someone has upgraded there cooling system so all sorted there. Its the nose cone I'd like to get some advice on. I'm not interested in going Carbon fibre etc I just want a like for like replacement. My thinking is I buy a Fibreglass nosecone, fit it with the necessary clips etc then get it painted to match. I guess my questions are Where's best to buy, for both price and quality? Is it simple to fit or should I expect fettling to be part of the job? Are there any watch outs that people can often/easily get wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted September 30 Share Posted September 30 There's more than one type, but I don't know how many or what they're called. These are carbon fibre, but they give some examples: https://caterhamparts.co.uk/127-nose-cone Are you sure that the chassis and the radiator brackets haven't been damaged? Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallon Posted September 30 Author Share Posted September 30 Radiator brackets have been bent back, which allowed the radiator to push back into the anti roll bar, squeezing the fan in-between sort of thing. There is a very slight bend in the anti roll bar but I'm sure this won't effect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamscotticus Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 (edited) David, put your year and build specification in your signature so we will know what you have. And you don't have to repeat yourself. Example, we could help you find an S3 nose, but if you have an SV, we are no help at all. If you have a Caterham, it's Redline and Caterham for new items. There could be some used noses lying around the tuners shops, and Brands. I have never seen a Caterham quality aftermarket offering for these. Some small producers for home build DIY Lowcost kits is about all. some ideas: https://axminsterspecialistpanels.com/lotus/ these guys supposedly www.alliedmotorsport.co.uk I don't know what happened to the 7 support, It looks like they do motorcycles now Edited October 1 by Iamscotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtBuddha Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 This may be of help. I've not bought one from them as my nosecone and cycle wings are fine, so have no idea of quality, but I've bookmarked their site in case of future need... https://www.classicgrpcars.co.uk/products/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative jonsymons Posted October 1 Area Representative Share Posted October 1 I think PGM do a bare fibreglass lightweight nose cone ready for painting… enquiries@pgmsussex.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 Chris at Redline stocks fibreglass components like this. sales@redlinecomponents.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 I got mine from Redline who normally keep them in stock and at competitive prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallon Posted October 1 Author Share Posted October 1 Thanks for the guidance all! Car spec added to signature and enquiry sent to Redline to see if they can identify what I need. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamscotticus Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 On 01/10/2024 at 03:33, jonsymons said: I think PGM do a bare fibreglass lightweight nose cone ready for painting… enquiries@pgmsussex.com I looked. Many nice bits, but no body parts offered. I can see how they may have some lying around from projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrigsby Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 Not sure if they do nose cones but I did buy some wings of these guys many years ago, no idea if they still make them. (Dartford Composites). Thanks Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallon Posted Wednesday at 19:49 Author Share Posted Wednesday at 19:49 I have received a nosecone from Redline but think it will take some fettling to fit. Where the front wishbone connects, at the bottom, I am going to have to remove some material to allow the nosecone to locate a little higher. My question is, is this normal? Should I be removing material to create clearance for it to sit correctly? Without the material being removed I cannot fit it and so currently am not completely sure it will be as good a fit as the previous original. Feels a bit like once the hacksaw comes out I'm committed 🫣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndrewE Posted Wednesday at 20:14 Share Posted Wednesday at 20:14 Perhaps ask Chris at Redline if that is what he would expect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raw Posted Thursday at 10:25 Share Posted Thursday at 10:25 It appears to be normal to have to do a bit of fettling to the nosecone to fit individual cars. Usually around the antiroll bar and the lower wishbones - depends on how far forward the wishbones are, ie. how many washers are between the wishbone and chassis. There also appears to have been slight mould changes/manufacturing standards (quality) over the years too which further compounds the issues. Cheers Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted Thursday at 15:02 Area Representative Share Posted Thursday at 15:02 (edited) Yes, it is normal. I'm not sure a hacksaw is the best instrument. Just remember it isn't difficult to cut a little more away but really difficult to put a bit back. I'd use a fretsaw. Edited Thursday at 15:07 by Golf Juliet Tango Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgm Posted Thursday at 17:16 Share Posted Thursday at 17:16 From experience we have found that the nosecones always need fettling which ever model they are being fitted to if you want to achieve an excellent fit. As our lightweight panels which were mentioned earlier in the posts, we do have some in stock but they aren't on our website. They were made primarily for the sprinting and racing contestants. They are almost at the weight of a carbon panel and will definitely require painting or wrapping. If interested just give the workshop a call. Best wishes PGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted 20 hours ago Share Posted 20 hours ago Worth comparing prices with CC... as they are the only place to offer A grade products other than the 'race' grade the offer for track cars. As I found when I did my rebuild all other suppliers products are B grade and some dont even make that clear... and the price saving isn't worth it, especially when the arrived damaged due to poor packaging. CC parts have always arrived extremely well packed and undamaged... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgm Posted 18 hours ago Share Posted 18 hours ago Caterham and Redline are always the first places to purchase from. Unfortunately sometimes there can be quite a long wait for certain parts to return to stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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