Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ
Old mech - Since it looks like the 'cage' of your design will be, ultimately, it's structure, could you save some weight using thin fiber-plastic [FRP] paneling for a body? Or even some non-structural fiberglass...
Might help cut down on road noise if you used PVC panels, since PVC is acoustically inert... and sort of temperature inert as well, which could also save on heating/cooling load.
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It will have sheet metal on the sides of the passengers compartment, welded to the frame for side collision protection. Every thing else will be aluminum. That's the choice of the owner of the machine shop and I tend to agree with him. Don't think there would be much room for weight savings unless you used something like mylar. He and I think alike, I told him that what HE has built is as close to my visualization as anything I have ever done in my life.
I just don't see a real benefit in taking them out of their race car building experience, since it is their comfort zone. I might paint the steel parts silver and just polish the aluminium. For insulation I plan on using panels and or spray type insulation, but it needs to be fire resistant.
As far as reverse, it could be anything from a motor that would engage the drive chain, to floor flaps and my feet. It certainly is a valid point but for now I can always just push it backwards inititally.
regards
Mech