Mk2 Astra Rallycar - from bare shell upwards

[RallyMarshal]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

Nice job... that donor car looks way too good to cut up lol.

That front bumper is fiberglass isnt it? what does it weigh?

... just looking at the main cage Hoop before you removed it... you may need to move that back a little if you are tall... I am 6' and my fiberglass seat is not far off the cage.

Yes the donor car was too good to cut up, but the front end bump had really bent the chassis legs quite badly and needed full jigging

The bumper is fibreglass but isnt that light - theyve laid it up thickly which should help with strength but I reckon its no lighter than a std front bumper now.

Im 5'10 and should be OK with the seat and cage - the main hoop will be a couple of inches behind the back of the seat so wouldnt expect that to be an issue.

Im probably going to get a Motordrive seat made for me. Im pretty heavy so need a wide seat anyway and by the time Ive tried loads, it will be just as easy to go to Motordrive and be fitted for a seat.

Paul..

[DarrenH]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

They arent particularly a weak point as far as Im am aware as the beam effectively has 4 mounting points (2 beam pivot mounts and 2 damper mounts) and the majority of force (after a jump etc) goes into the.

i guess the car has coilovers ? if not the load is going through the springs to the chassis rails. vast majority of the energy when compressing the suspension goes into the springs, the dampers main job is the rebound stage.

i agree its dificult to swoop down to the beam mounts, but i think their job is more than just pivoting. they are also taking all the lateral load while cornering, and in addition the torsional load from the beam trying (not) to twist. it would only take some triangulation, like a minature version of what they had done from the cage to the area above the fuel tank.

[RallyMarshal]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

i guess the car has coilovers ? if not the load is going through the springs to the chassis rails. vast majority of the energy when compressing the suspension goes into the springs, the dampers main job is the rebound stage.

I should have read what I typed prior to posting it. Of course, you are right about the spring platforms taking the majority of the loading on a jump - effectively meaning 6 loading points. The car isnt going to be running coilovers as I dont think theyre particularly necessary.

I agree that there is loading on cornering, but I dont think its such as issue that the standard mounts allow huge amounts of movement, even when polybushed, unless theyre weakened from corrosion or similar. Ive not seen a car with stress fractures in the pivot areas although Im sure Ive seen someones car that had trangulation of the pivot mount itself using bracing plates but cant think where.

Paul..

[Steve Heley]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

i've not yet seen a cage that picks up the rear beam mounts, i thought this would be primary concern ?

They did it on the 'works' cars..

[RallyMarshal]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

They did it on the 'works' cars..

So does that drop down to the rear seat base from the piece joining the B pillar to the rear stays..?

Do you know if it went through the floor and onto the mount itself?

Paul..

[Steve Heley]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

It would make sense, but i've no idea if they did it. Pictures of the works stuff seem very hard to come by and i've only a few.

[BazW]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

Looking forward to seeing this come together

[DarrenH]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

excuse the crudity of my picture, but it looks like they have done this, which is the idea i had in my head

[RallyMarshal]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

excuse the crudity of my picture, but it looks like they have done this, which is the idea i had in my head

Dont worry about the crudity - a picture speaks a thousand words as they say.

Thats what it looks like to me as well with trangulation back to the tube. I think that Id need to strengthen the pivot mountings as a first step, then tie that back to the cage like the photo shows as no point having one without the other.

Food for thought..

Paul..

[DarrenH]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

yeah much food for thought! obviously we cant prove it, but i agree with steve, i can imagine it goes through the floor pan into the U section of the chassis rail that the beam mounts to.

[Steve Heley]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

I've had a dig thru various pictures i've got, and this is about the best i can find.

I believe it's a mk4 astra.

[RallyMarshal]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

Thanks Steve

After a few thoughts, I think Im going to leave it without additional bracing to the rear mounts. Ive not had any issues with the old shell in that area and its already at the cage builders...

Paul..

[dennis18]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

Where have you buy polybush kit?

What is the price?

Thanks for answer,

Denis

[RallyMarshal]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

Hi Denis

I bought these 2nd hand (as an unused set) but believe theyre made by Floflex - who have an ebay store

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Flo-flex-Polyurethane-Limited/Astra-MK2-1984-1991-/_i.html?_fsub=18840066&_sid=296270615&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Hope thats OK?

Paul..

[dennis18]

Re: New Rallycar Shell Build...

Hi Denis

I bought these 2nd hand (as an unused set) but believe theyre made by Floflex - who have an ebay store

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Flo-flex-Polyurethane-Limited/Astra-MK2-1984-1991-/_i.html?_fsub=18840066&_sid=296270615&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Hope thats OK?

Paul..

Oo quick answer

Thats great, I will wright order them.

Many thanks

Denis