37 replies to this topic

[speedyK]

Ricky,

Have you considered polycarbonate side/rear windows?For a guy who's not afraid of dismantling his car like you, this represents a cheap way to save loads of useless kilos and improve the centre of gravity.

See HERE and click on "Sports" in the left hand menu.

Aluminium radiator would help improve cooling with the supercharger too while reducing weight (can't be bad) – seems the Speedster one is the same (at least Steve Crisp thinks so).

[Ricky2772]

Have you considered polycarbonate side/rear windows?

Aluminium radiator would help improve cooling with the supercharger too while reducing weight (can't be bad) – seems the Speedster one is the same (at least Steve Crisp thinks so).

isn't the stock radiator ali already?!?
afaik, radiators ARE ali-made ....

will look into it....having to remove the front clam soon, I might take the chance...

side windows....... wondering if the ones sold for the S2 are identical....I strongly doubt....but if so, I'd get'em on the spot!!

about the rear divider......same thing really....being a flat glass, I will have the bodyshop trim a piece of poly and install it....

[speedyK]

I think normal radiators have brass parts... That flat rear glass even irritates me – would be interested to see hoe much effort is involved in removing it. You can get polycarbonate sheeting from DIY stores and cutting it is not so difficult – I would do that myself – it's just getting the old glass out and the new bit in that I'm wondering about.

[Ricky2772]

I think normal radiators have brass parts...

That flat rear glass even irritates me – would be interested to see hoe much effort is involved in removing it. You can get polycarbonate sheeting from DIY stores and cutting it is not so difficult – I would do that myself – it's just getting the old glass out and the new bit in that I'm wondering about.

well, no fear.... it's extremely easy, being completely flat and simply glued/siliconed all around. prolly a bit of a pain to cut it out....it might even be that kind of black glue that melts when heated with hot-air...

but it's a shell-out job I'm afraid....the bottom part is hidden by the clam, while removing the roll cover expose the rest of it...

Edited by Ricky2772, 07 February 2004 - 09:57 PM.

[speedyK]

Would appear Elise is alu ( + plastic) Found this on Eliseparts: "The Standard Elise radiator is another weak point in the cooling system. Although it is lightweight, it has plastic end tanks which are prone to expanding and leaking under pressure. If you are racing or are a serious track day enthusiast we recommend our FULL Aluminium Radiator ,specifically manufactured for us as a direct replacement and built to the highest standards using F1 technology. This has a larger capacity, more cooling fin area and Aluminium end tanks so it will not burst even at substantially higher temp/pressure. It is more efficient so you will notice a drop in your usual running temperature. We have fitted one to a supercharged Elise (which had temperature problems) and this radiator reduced the usual temperature from 93 degrees to 86. I have also fitted one to my Turbo'd Elise along with several Race cars, all now run an efficient operating temperature." Is this a problem – you ever see an Elise with a burst rad at the 'Ring?

[speedyK]

prolly a bit of a pain to cut it out....

Wouldn't want to break it...

Can you post a few pics while you've got the rear clam off to show what it looks like under there?

[speedyK]

Another couple of grammes less – for those of us who still have the standard interior mirror. I had to tension the nut that holds the mirror strut, as it was vibrating down under track conditions – not too good if you can't use your mirrors. Then I thought, why bother putting the shrouding back on? It serves no purpose other than making it look "neater". View of nut:

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•  mirror_strut.jpg   60.65KB   0 downloads

[speedyK]

These are staying in the garage from now on... every little helps

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•  mirror_shroud.jpg   61.36KB   0 downloads

[Ricky2772]

careful K, ...you start with the lil' shroud, and soon you'll be rippin' door panels off!!! btw, got confirmation from eliseparts that the S2 poly side-windows fit the VX! ...and the rear window as well!! ....ordering tomorrow... anybody ever removed the side windows?!? that's an area where I still have a lot to learn....

[clipping_point]

What do they charge for poly side and rear windows? What is the wheight saved? BTW the chunky aluminum bar inside the door can be eliminated- it is only there for driver safety

[dude]

careful K,
...you start with the lil' shroud, and soon you'll be rippin' door panels off!!!

btw, got confirmation from eliseparts that the S2 poly side-windows fit the VX!
...and the rear window as well!!

....ordering tomorrow...

anybody ever removed the side windows?!? that's an area where I still have a lot to learn....

no probs.
i´ve ripped my to shreads
you´ll see what to do when the interior panels of the door is gone.

piece of cake.

//anders

[dude]

What do they charge for poly side and rear windows? What is the wheight saved?

BTW the chunky aluminum bar inside the door can be eliminated- it is only there for driver safety

you can not remove the aluminiumbar inside the door.
everything is bolted to it.

but you can remove the whole door and just keep the bar with the locking-mechanism, so you won´t fall out

[Ricky2772]

What do they charge for poly side and rear windows? What is the wheight saved?

BTW the chunky aluminum bar inside the door can be eliminated- it is only there for driver safety

weight: they are 1/3 of the stock ones, unbreakable, and are 69£ (each I guess), + VAT (that I don't pay... )
rear window is 49£

they even mentioned a poly windscreen for the speedy !!!
...but can't find it on the site......
....it will cost an arm&leg for sure....


didn't answer anything about the radiator...

[clipping_point]

OK! But a glass fibre door could be specially made if you were REALLY eager.

[Pipo]

anybody ever removed the side windows?!? that's an area where I still have a lot to learn....

Go to the german - http://forum.opel-speedster-club.de - site.
Under "Tuning und Veränderungen", you can find a whole article dated the 4th of Febr. (von a member called 'Dr.Speed'), named "Türverkleidung abnehmen". In there you find some answers. If you can read German, of course.
Pipo

(endadress is http://forum.opel-sp...showtopic=1728)

[Ricky2772]

tx Pipo, too bad my german vocabulary is quite restricted.... got an answer from elisepart about the radiator: Radiator is slightly different but we fitted one of these too to the VX220 Turbo (ours has 350 lb ft torque so the rad is essential). cheers Geary www.eliseparts.com

[Ricky2772]

I've found the list of removed/added parts with the relative weights: these are my removed parts on solo-track-days: (no pax) pax seat 8,7 kg pax belt 1,3 insulation behind seats 3,5 side mirrors+foglights 2,7 speakers+stock airbox 3,5 rims+tires (replaced by OZ+yoko) 12 backbox (komo-tec) 6,0 exhaust manifold 1,7 kat-removed 4,1 soft-top 4,7 metal+plastic headrests 2,2 two undertrays 6,0 tank-cover tray 2,0 footrest+carpet 1,4 race battery 6,0 heater unit 3,5 rear plate holder 0,3 front logo 0,3 water resevoir bracket 0,3 engine lifting supports 0,4 footwell divider 0,7 braided brake lines 0,3 drilled discs (front only)0,4 engine/cockpit insulator 1,1 fuel vapours canisters 1,9 ali tank 6,0 trunk lid 6,7 TOTAL: 88KG added parts: cooling brake ducts 1,2 fake-carbon mirrors 0.2 kat-bypass hose: 1,2 CDA 1,0 harness bar 3,0 4-points OMP harnesses 1,0 lexan trunk 1,1 front splitters 0,2 ADDED TOTAL: 9 kg CURRENT SAVING: 79KG there might an extra 1,5kg from the airbag IF I did not added to the speakers combo. (will verify today... ) still to add: polycarbonate windows race clutch+flywheel+pistons+rods +the weight of the Delta kompressor will also arrive (sometime this year) carbonfiber front trunk (big saving there!) carbonfiber 3rd stop rollbar cover

Edited by Ricky2772, 15 February 2004 - 04:11 PM.

[Steve Crisp]

Hi Ricky, A classic post - one to be kept for posterity! Where's your extinguisher though? Steve