rear subframe

[TRW1]

All those with aftermarket back boxes will find they're quite a bit lighter than the original.......

I assume this will be very expensive and as such would look at a carbon roof or doors or tailgate as they would lower centre of gravity rather than raise it and yet still save a fair bit of weight.
I fear the cost of weight reduction by going down this route puts it on a par with the mad hatters spending thousands on performance gains and as Ray has already found, means he usually has to go it alone....

The subframe is not like bolting on a carbon side pod, it has certain heavy stress bearing points and would need careful development.

Best of luck with all your innovative ideas Ray.....


Can someone post pics of these heavy rears please...?

 

[ozbird]

I can't believe you're even thinking about this.
I'd prefer a heavy rear.

Think about your recent photography and tell me you like heavy rears.
I too was looking at him, looking at them.

Aah yes. Well spotted James.

 

[Mike T]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSR_RoUns0Q

this should do the trick and keep anyone from a lighter rear end!

 

[ray]

aware that there is alot more to the sub frame than it looks but at the end of the day its still a big fat lump of steel and it might just be an area that needs a diet. center of graverty my arse the car could be a great car but when you consider that most new super cars porkers etc weigh less than the lardy reno you get some idea of how hard it is to play catch up spending ten grand on a diet is about the same as doing 10 grands worth of mods all us looneys know this and so do all the spanner men doing the work bottom line its a clio with a unremarkable v6 in a box at the back its location and the way the car is built around this is what makes it costly to extract performance but if you have enough coins any thing is possible

 

[TRW1]

Amen.

I've taken so much weight out of mine it'll be interesting to see how it handles.
I suspect I may need to add a little back into the front.....

 

[ray]

whens it back on the road then

 

[v6Max]

Ray, what material(s) are you thinking about to re-fabricate it in?

 

[TRW1]

whens it back on the road then

Getting nearer....

 

[ray]

ali did think about carbon more practical to do it in ali

 

[Brett]

ali did think about carbon more practical to do it in ali

I'll be honest in saying that I don't think Carbon is the way forward for the subframe. The shocks and stresses put upon the frame would be pretty high. I'd say the best bet would to construct it from titanium tubing with suspension points welded in accordingly. Force Racing does this for Mini's with exceptional results. I'd even go as far as saying its the best in the country.

http://www.foxwebsitedesign.co.uk/3.html This would give you an idea.

 

[ray]

thanks for the input will chase this up when i get back from paris any one thinking of going down this route put your hand up when talking to them if they can do somthing it would be helpfull to know if we are talking about one unit or several as you can imagine this will not be cheap

 

[ray]

anyone intrested ? or am i going alone on this titanium 40 percent lighter than steel

 

[Jamesv6]

Would be interesting to see good pics of the rear subframe if anyone has any?

Please.

 

[Brett]

You considering doing it then Ray? Think you should give people a rough idea in the pricing though lmao. I think the Mini subframes were going for around £1200 and there is a fair amount of welding in them due to the shape of them. The clio subframe looked a little less tricky in my eyes but then I might be wrong. I'd definatly consider it Ray but Ive got a few thou to spend on it over the winter so it'll have to wait for a while. Have you spoke to the guys at force racing? I think his name is Carl.

 

[ray]

spoken to him and been to see him just getting my info and facts right first then i may have an idea on price

 

[Brett]

Sounds good then mate. No doubt its just a case of getting a jig made and sorting out the material. Seriously though, his work is second to none. Pretty damn stunning when fitted to the car, just unfortunate you wont really ever see it. Have you had a definate answer on how heavy the subframe is as standard?

 

[ray]

no not yet getting hold of the stuff seams to be a bit tricky will see what comes of it

 

[ray]

anyone got any good photos of rear sub frame to post on this topic so carl cal look at them so we can get a ball park fig on it

 

[® Andy]

Not photos ... but there are the general technical drawings of the sub frame in the workshop manuals in the Knowledge section which might help?

 

[ray]

any one got a spare mk2 subframe kicking around they can lend me ? to get a price for replacement and to build a jig