5 GT Turbo 11 years later silver bullet comes home

[Duncan Grier]

I am also looking at losing this section as not really needed and will free up space, need to consider water draining and fan intake. And of course bonnet latch etc

Welcome feedback on this one as car is going to be used all year so will see rain

Can do something with air intake for fan/heater as still need to design A/C addition

 

[andybond]

Chop it out!

 

[Duncan Grier]

Considered losing turrets also but staying for now........ strength in first and review

 

[Duncan Grier]

New shiny part post

One of my Nitron NTR46 dampers was previously damaged, so saved up all my pocket money and posted to the Nitron service team and held the piggy bank real tight while awaiting the verdict.....

Was not great news and after some back and forth opted for a brand new item with matched custom valving and same springs rates etc as it was only a bit more expensive and removed the risk of other unforeseen costs once the old one was fully striped and potentially meant higher cost.

Having long fell out of favour with trade status there did something out of character and handed over the piggy bank and one of the kids ones to settle the damage.....they are too far now to turn up in person and friendly torture them to honour old discounts applied

If this kit was not so epic would have opted for cheaper options as one replacement almost the price of a cheaper full kit. I know it is money well spent!

Service and quality as always brilliant and just a bit excited

 

[Duncan Grier]

Running

Fronts 500lb with 150lb helpers
Rears 650lb with 150lb helpers

 

[andybond]

Running

Fronts 500lb with 150lb helpers
Rears 650lb with 150lb helpers

Not a million miles off mine on the exige

 

[Duncan Grier]

I think current rates should suit road well with the bit of extra weight, suspect might want a bit more on track but see how things go with decent front ARB also. I never driven a lotus car with it but a company also dors a rear ARB kit that could be a consideration

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Fabulous work as always @Duncan Grier !!! Keep it coming!

 

[Turbell]

I know you'll give due consideration about losing that bulkhead, but thoughts are if tank is upfront and you're retaining heater/ventilation, you need and area sealed off from smelly bit?

 

[Duncan Grier]

Yes few options but as you say will need sealing for a few reasons inc smells graft in can evaporator for the A/C. Plan to retain oem box setup and heater matrix but may change the fan, will see.

One option is a nod to the 5 turbo gordini air intake in bonnet or a few other non visual places, something to play about with. Might look naff with the planned bonnet vent, sealed ducting from rads at front (turbo 2 maxi/205 T16 style thing) mind

Other than oem fan intake could see no real reason to keep, just need to check on rain water drainage

 

[Norwich Nick]

The old round metal roses chocolate tin lid pops on the fan hole a treat. Sure you’d come up with a better option though.

The bulk head main function is stop fumes and side to side movement of the shock towers. Think you’ll be fine without it.

Plenty of pass through options for fluids/air available from car builder and the likes.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

The old round metal roses chocolate tin lid pops on the fan hole a treat

Finding one of those now would be a mission itself!

 

[DrKd]

Finding one of those now would be a mission itself!

It's a good thing Roly is no longer involved in the GTT scene ££££

 

[Duncan Grier]

With heat finally easing a bit today got a couple of hours in.

With the offset angle off the bottom leg of cage to the offset angle to the top bar made for some fun notching with the grinder and even used my good eye .

Difficult to measure properly so got the general angles etc and by eye/feel took a few goes at it until happy, had purposely left a bit tool long to allow for this and turned out just fine

Will do the other side when in next and then clean up, get seam sealer out of inside turret while have full access, final prep etc before tackling into place

 

[Duncan Grier]

Other side done ready for final prep and tack in

 

[Duncan Grier]

Having already taken the bulkhead side of the original battery mount out I decided time for the turret side.........was a royal pita angle to get spot welds drilled out etc. Good news no rust, save weight of metal and will be far cleaner finish when done

 

[Duncan Grier]

Then tonight got a few more hours playtime after work and decided to make some sheet steel sections to address the gaps around cage extension and touch of strength before welding. Nothing exciting mind, hole for bottom leg going to be fun to shape

 

[Duncan Grier]

Friday work wind down done

 

[Turbell]

What's final body look gonna be, arches etc, think you posted a mock up, but are you going on arch extensions or full boxy wide body?
It'd look good if you incorporated OE graphics/ badges, keep it metallic grey, little nod towards it's past.

 

[Duncan Grier]

Get out my head @Turbell

Big nods to oem planned from use of original steering wheel, centre console and be staying silver body colour (poss oem even) and needs graphics

Plan A is wide arch retaining original 5 arches or Plan B full turbo 2 maxi replica

While a very different car (and outside budget to ever buy lol) have a view of the below blend of colours inc wheel colour, but need to get arches/body done first. Maybe even some cheeky intakes (might be needed for function)