GRP and Bonnet Pin Quickie

boucherie · Post by **boucherie** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:30 pm

Im currently in the process of getting some GRP bonnets and tailgates made up for the pulsar from a company in martlesham and im trying to see which is going to be the best way of pinning them to the car.

The two options i see i have is to either use 2 sets of pins (1 at the front and the other on the hinge) or get the company to put the fixings in the hinge end and just pin the front.

If i went for the 2 set option then you can still use the hinges etc when lifting the bonnet should you need to and it might be easier when swapping body parts over for those that will be stripping down (weight!) for track days and putting it back on for daily driving.

Is anyone able to give opinions or reasoning as to why either one is better/worse than the other?

Also if anyone has any parts that they want done in GRP then il be at the lotus day if you want to discuss more!

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:57 pm

If it is outright weight saving you are trying to acheive, ditch the hinges too and go for a four pin set up. You could always keep the bits you remove (hinges etc) incase you want to revert to standard.

Do make sure it's strengthened though. They have a tendency to flap around a lot

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:33 pm

How much strength and rigidity does the tailgate add to the car, if any?

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:22 pm

Bonnets and boots add next to bugger all, but they still need a certain strength or rigidity else they'll go like this

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5KjaAS7nY

:lol:

Mr Fletcher · Post by **Mr Fletcher** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:36 pm

pmsl :-D :-D

cheers

jason

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:03 pm

stuart wrote:Bonnets and boots add next to bugger all, but they still need a certain strength or rigidity else they'll go like this

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5KjaAS7nY

:lol:

Well! There I am, listening to dear old Rolf and waiting for something to happen. Then I noticed what he was holding :roll:

It's not been a good day

boucherie · Post by **boucherie** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:52 pm

the pulsar bonnets are stupidly heavy!! all of this companies work is layered with kevlar matting to increase strength and i have the option of adding some ribbed strength to the bonnets as well.

This company produce alot of bodykits etc for the hot rods and other short circuit cars and have over 200 moulds so there not exactly a shed down the garden type company!

they are putting extra kevlar patches in the corners to make it stronger for when fitting the hinges.

I would be keeping the hinges in place so that its easier to revert back to standard when people get back home!

il try and get premininary pics up of there work and show the finished items soon.