hello there

whats the best way to cover my locost??

should i go with all fibre glass or are aluminium (or for that matter stainless steel) side panels (bonnet poss?) the best way forward....

looking primarily to save weight as doing bike engine thing, but also want it to look good

whats your thoughts???

james

Go for the fibreglass.
It's lighter but i don't think there's a big weight difference between alu and fibreglass.

Cheers, Marco

Ali would be lighter if you make it thin enougth. I used 1mm thick ali. It is a lot more effort though and easy to make it look crap.
I used ali 'cos it was cheeper for me and it was lighter. My MK indy Blackbird weighs only 370Kg in Road trim and a lot less if i take out passenger seat/ remove lights etc.

Fibreglass is about 25% lighter in trme of density but generally made thicker to be stable, i.e if if a typical glass panel is 2mm thick then a 1.2mm ali panel will be lighter.

In addition the ali will contribute some effect to chassis stiffness, the glass will not.

So my answer is ALI.

MK Indybird @ 370kg that's impressive... What wheels brakes, diff etc are you using??

Cheers

What condition was the car in when weighed, as seabass suggests that it amazingly light.

Aluminium alloy will win hands down. As said earlier fibre glass is made thicker to achieve rigidity and as such comes in heavier. Stainless steel is heavier but can be used in thinner gauges, (my choice). If you are not intending the panels to contribute to the rigidity of the car then alloy of .5 or .7mm will be more than sufficient. Be aware though that you would not be able to mount components directly to the alloy in these gauges as it would rapidly age harden and crack.

Mick

[Edited on 26/9/04 by Mix]

try and find someone thats used grp to do the sides of their cars.

i think you will be hard pushed....


atb

steve

Errrr... Bob!


James

allright then...

name another

atb

steve