Menu toggle

Plastic fantastic

Peter Empson

Peter Empson

PCGB Member
I couldn't resist posting a pic of my latest acqisition, my new carbon bonnet [:D]

Dscn4959ed.jpg

and here's a close up of the underside for the carbon fetishists amongst us [:)]
Dscn4957ed.jpg


Special thanks to Ollie and the guys at RPM Porsche who helped me fit it this morning in their workshop.

It obviously needs a coat of paint but that will have to wait until the rest of the car is ready.
 
ORIGINAL: carlmthompson

Very nice - so how much weight does it save?
Click to expand...

I took some bathroom scales with me but I don't think they're that accurate working down at this low range...

According to them the unpainted carbon bonnet is between 7-9kg, whereas the original was somewhere over 20kg (lets say 21 to be on the safe side) without insulation.

However, I'm not willing to accept such a small difference because a). the original feels much heavier than that and b). my wallet wont let me accept that differential given the cost [;)]

Found another reasonable pic [:D]
Dscn4960ed.jpg
 
ORIGINAL: 924nutter

Yet more wood!. What about a nice Oak bonnet prop? [:)]
Click to expand...

Lol!
Don't worry I'll be drilling some holes in it soon to lighten it :ROFLMAO:

Actually hoping to make one from the bits from a 924's prop and some offcut carbon rod at some stage.
 
Looks the business, shame you can't fit it the other way round. How's the fit? Can you tell it's a CF bonnet when closed?
 
Unfortunately it had suffered a few knocks in transit, so at the moment it doesn't look great on the other side, but they should be fairly easily to repair when it's painted.

It's difficult to see any moulding imperfections in the current matt white gelcoat finish, but to an untrained eye I think it'll look almost indistinguishable from the standard bonnet, which is exactly what I wanted. I chose the road spec one which despite being heavier has provisions for the hinges and bracing underneath (hence choosing CF to reduce the weight back down as much as possible).

The fit is pretty good, particularly considering I've never tried to align one before. Some of the bolt holes at the hinge end need to be elongated a bit still, but apart from that I'm happy that a pro will get it looking great.
 
It is a massive relief to hear it looks a bit standard on the top, and you can't see the carbon.......because if the carbon had been really nice on the top I would have to have one. [:D]

12Kg (24 lbs) is a reasonable saving on most cars - considering how high up it is particularly - but on yours, you may have to consider pegging it down in high winds. [:D]
 
Bonnet looks good! Please post more pics when you get the wings fitted/painted aswell, I'd be interested in going down that route too!
 
Pete
I hope the weight saving was worth the cost...

I suspect the bonnet alone wont have been that cheap.????

I can see ill have to realy try this year , to keep up....[;)][;)][;)]

Have you taken all the carpets + sound deadening out aswell...????

Next time your at Donnington youl have to put it on the scales,,,....[;)][:D]
 
The front carpets are still in place, but when the weather improves I will be experimenting to see how much sound deadening I can take out whilst still keeping it day to day useable.

There's lots still to do, I've yet to fit the new small battery or mount the carbon door trims I have. Plus I want to remove the central locking and simplify the whole harness (not looking forward to this).

Other than that its finding some lighter wing mirrors, lexan quarter windows, doing a fixed headlight conversion, finalising the front bumper choice and sealing in a sunroof panel. There's not much more I can think of after that, short of drilling/removing some of the metal work on the car.

But that's still plenty to keep me busy this year [:D]
 
You're such a lightweight Mr Empson :ROFLMAO:

Will it be painted before Bedford and will the wings be fitted by then too? I'd really like to see just how good a finish can be obtained on some seriously lightweight panels.
 
ORIGINAL: Diver944

Will it be painted before Bedford and will the wings be fitted by then too?
Click to expand...

No chance I'm afraid Paul, unless you are offering to do it at the Ace cafe meet tommorrow night :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

The wings are a two piece design, there's an inner section not shown in the photo which is yet to be bonded in place (mounts by the door hinge). This looks as if it'll be beyond me to get the alignment right so will have to wait for a pro to do it, and the way things are going that's going to be November time at the earliest [:(] but at least I'm going to get a chance to do as many track days as funds allow [:D]
 
That's a decent saving - add the wings and that must be over 30kg easy! How much do you recon you've got the car down from and to?

Paul - you might want to consider some of those dragster wheels for the back of yours if you're considering lightening the front - just so you can still steer at full bore[:D]
 
I'm not sure what the weight is, but a quick guesstimate adding and subtracting known weight from when the car was last corner weighted suggests its about 1,230Kg (with 1/3rd a tank of fuel). This is the estimated trackday weight (including half cage when its finally fitted), it's a bit heavier for the road (with rear carpet, useless spare etc).

I'm quite pleased with this if it's correct, and makes the goal of getting it under 1,200kg seem very tempting, although doing so and keeping it suitable as an every day car is going to be a bit of a struggle!

Perhaps its just psychological, but the bonnet seems to have made a substantial difference on the road, the front end actually feels lighter and the bite is improved on turn.
 
Thanks Fen, but it's probably a darn site heavier than your race spec one as I suspect yours doesn't have all of the structure underneath it?
 
Mine has the outline of the structure, but you couldn't mount it on hinges. In fact you really need to carry it vertically to stop it wobbling horribly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top