predawson Posted March 2, 2004 Posted March 2, 2004 Hi guys, now at rolling chassis stage on an SDV. Currently I don't have the optional aluminium side panels for the outside of the body. As the main body section is about to go on, this is my last chance to fit them. Question is, are they necessary? Will I get wet? Has anybody not fitted them and had problems in the rain? Cheers. Quote
Leon B Posted March 2, 2004 Posted March 2, 2004 YES! I didnt buy them when I first ordered my kit but after finishing the paneling i felt it definately needed the optional exterior panels. They add strength to the chassis and stop all the crub coming in to the cockpit. Quote
chazpowerslide Posted March 2, 2004 Posted March 2, 2004 They help stiffen the chassis a bit and provide a little more side impact protection (FWIW). Personally I'd allways fit them just for the above reasons. If you fit and seal the body properly you won't get any water ingress. Let's face it, it's an open top car to be used in Blighty, you're going to get wet at some point anyway Chaz. Quote
Spencer Posted March 2, 2004 Posted March 2, 2004 Yep, seconded (or thirded,or fourthed..ah, whatever)....worth fitting for sure. Quote
stevio Posted March 2, 2004 Posted March 2, 2004 Bought two sheets of ally from an engineering company and cut them myself for £25. Much cheaper than Westfield parts. Quote
deano.1 Posted March 3, 2004 Posted March 3, 2004 I fitted them to mine, the cockpit is totally enclosed with ally panels now, seems like a much nicer job to me (imo) As seen in my avatar Quote
Martin Keene Posted March 3, 2004 Posted March 3, 2004 I can't believe they get away with selling the kit without them??? What's the point in making a nice job of sealing the rest of the panels and leaving the sides open to everything... Quote
Bazzer Posted March 3, 2004 Posted March 3, 2004 No brainer fit them. Will stiffen the chassis up a lot !!!! Bazzer Quote
Matt Lucas Posted March 4, 2004 Posted March 4, 2004 Here in Oz we use a pressed steel side intrusion panel. Our bracing at the front is also considerably stiffer. These two mods allow us to comply with our torsion and beam loading test requirements. I will also add internal alli panels for a clean finish. Note to self - time to put it all on the build stands rather than the packing boxes! Matt Quote
Matt Lucas Posted March 4, 2004 Posted March 4, 2004 Uprights are from a TC or TD Cortina. Probably MkIII or Mk IV in the UK I guess? Hubs and callipers are just sitting there waiting for the discs to arrive. Seemed a good place to leave them where I wouldn't trip over them. Most parts are available over here for the live axle version, but we are a bot short of Sierras for the IRS versions. Not many Allegros for steering columns or handbrake bits though either. Quote
Blatman Posted March 4, 2004 Posted March 4, 2004 Uprights are from a TC or TD Cortina. Probably MkIII or Mk IV in the UK I guess? Ah. I was rather hoping they were from something much newer, and common...... thinking ahead, see..... Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.