How to loose 200kgs?....

[Gareth]

Been a little while and a bit has been going on, The engine is now mounted on engine plates and the trans is solid mounted with a stronger and lighter mounting system, all that was done for two reasons, 1) to make room for a new, lighter and straighter titanium exhaust system 2) to correct the motor angle which changes every time the K frame bends (yes the very expensive name brand K frame made from tubular chromoly bends easily).

I have been looking at other ways to get weight out of the chassis now that I have time to work on development more than repairs , After building myself a road bike from a couple of scrapped GSXR's I was inspired by their factory use of hollow bolts in shear applications. So I fired up the shitty old lathe after having sat idle for at least 10 years (had to unsieze the stock ) and set about drilling various bolts. Pretty happy with the outcomes. As the body is off at the moment I have great access to the old door hinge mounts which are now gone. Them alone are a kilo

The titanium exhaust is a full 10kgs lighter than the old system (thanks to HQ355 for tiggin it up for me ), albeit an expensive way to loose weight to put it into context we run lead ballast of 10kgs to balance the chassis, If I can loose the ballast, that will be 20kgs saving... Anyhow I was looking to get experience with this material and this is the best test bed I have for it.

[Holden202T]

well it all adds up!

[Gareth]

Sure does Sam

I've also been collecting and modding parts to build another gearbox (getrag) with only first, second and reverse. The parts that I get to toss so far add up to 12kgs The carbon fibre matting in the back ground of the first pic of the last post is to experiment with, I'm going to start simple and make a new roof number plate.
I'm planning a 5th arm type mechanical traction lift bar for the rear end at the moment as getting power down is still an issue. The Kframe will get straightened (again) and ultimately replaced with another one. I intend to redesign it to better handle the lateral loads placed on it.
I have replaced all body attachment points that would have had nuts on the back of them with rivnuts, this achieves two things, less weight and easier servicing.

I had trouble at the last event with fuel surge. The tank has always had foam baffles which have only just done the job. I replaced the foam every season as it breaks down which is a major pain in the arse. After finding a great video on youtube looking at fuel slosh and ways to deal with it, I decided to piss the foam off in favour of three stainless panel type baffles. I have gone to great lengths to seal the baffle mounting bolts to the outside of the plastic cell but I have to admit I'm a little nervous about how well it will work.

Been looking hard at aero also, added a front VE plastic under tray to the front, this helped keep rocks and shit out of the drive belt. I hope to add panels to the underside soon to create a flat floor. I've been collecting panels off various cars to play with. Looking at replacing the hard to get bumpers with custom 'vacume formed' ones. It looks like there are hundreds of capable businesses that do this type of work with plastic in Australia, look to be cheaper than what I'm paying for hard to get VN bars also.

As always, love to hear everyone's ideas/thoughts in moving forward with this

[immortality]

That's a bit of a shock about said name brand K frame bending.

[vlad01]

knife edge crank shaft next! the COME racing was was a shit ton heavier than even stock. It's Only 3.5K

[gtrboyy]

It all adds up in the end...mates give me flak for trying to make parts lighter lol

[Gareth]

Yeah, so do mine, they just don't get it

[Gampy]

It's not about the weight, it's about where it's at.

[edit]
O-yea was going to mention, working with carbon is very much like glass, biggest mistake most make is to wet (rich) ... Just enough resin to saturate (and that they must be) the fibers and no more.
Never fold materials.

[Gareth]

I understand what you are saying and do agree to a point.

Power to weight ratio is also important

[Gampy]

Well yea ... That should be dictated by the class rules though.