…it�s time to think seriously where is the best place to put the extra ballast!
That is an interesting thought. Up front to balance the distribution out?
Ian
Fair play George!! Get some pics up of your build, I would love to see what you have been up to.
Ian, I think I am gonna bolt it to where the passanger would go. I may try and put some up the front. In the passanger area is gonna be the easiest though.
I just have to get some ballast now. Does anyone know where you can buy a block of lead or somat??
Well a 5kg diving weight is about �20, covered in robut polythene with no sharp edges.
However, lead weights for sash windows is about half that at �2 a kilo, although no such niceties on the packaging.
It could be the postage that kills you though!
Ian
Does anyone know where you can buy a block of lead or somat??
Are there no churches near you now? If not, I’m sure there are some buildings with gold domes
Seriously though, you will be able to buy some lead sheet from a roofing supplies company.
Even more seriously, all the F1 teams use tungsten for ballast, as does the aero industry for weighting/balancing alerons. In the F1 cars, the tungsten is produced in various shapes & sizes & is fitted in various places, including the gearboxes! It’s fantastic stuff, & is extremely dense, so a similar sized piece of lead is considerably lighter than the tungsten. Trouble is, it’s flipping expensive! However, I may (only may) be able to source some for you - will let you know
Ian, I think I am gonna bolt it to where the passanger would go. I may try and put some up the front. In the passanger area is gonna be the easiest though.
I just have to get some ballast now. Does anyone know where you can buy a block of lead or somat??
What about removeable ballast that could bolt to the passanger seat mounting holes that are already proven to hold more than 80kgs? Use some big flat steel sheets.
I am not sure if these holes are suitable, but I would not really like the idea of having ballast next to me! I would prefer the front area (under the front bonnet) which is completely empty at the moment.
I agree with the safety issue, but shouldn’t the weight be placed as close to the CoG as possible?
In my front I have my fire extinguisher and a full size battery. I thought of going for a race battery, but as I am so much under weight anyway, I though having a big battery would be good in case of an alternator failure as I could easily finish the race on the battery alone.
Yeah I was thinking the passanger seat holes. Why don’t you like the idea of having the ballast next to you George. If it is securly bolted down, I can’t see the problem??
Thanks Sean.
I have thought many times about posting some pictures, but never did, as I think that nobody will find it interesting, especially when we can admire your work. Like I said, we have many similarities in the weight reduction project. And I think this is where the similarities end! Anyway, I will get some pictures soon (next time I get back in the garage) and post them. [I�ll clean it first ]
By the way, how can I post photos?
George
First of all, yes, I find it too dangerous having around 20-50 kg of ballast inside the cabin.
Second, there is not going to be any room for a ballast in my cabin, as I am planning to have a light (5kg) battery and a panel with all the electric stuff (switches, pushable circuit breakers, relays and ECU) on my left and the gear level on my right. The fire extinguisher will be either on my right or on the left, depending on the weight distribution (I might change the position of the battery, too). I forgot to mention that I am going to sit in the middle!
The car is now almost finished, (or rather say close to the completion, if you think that before 3 months it was a bare chassis). The only things missing are the front discs and calipers. And of course some small bits and adjustments, but the main issue (like most of us) is the lack of time.
Sounds like it is coming along nicley George!! I would love to see the pictures of your build.
Sean…
Even more seriously, all the F1 teams use tungsten for ballast, as does the aero industry for weighting/balancing alerons. In the F1 cars, the tungsten is produced in various shapes & sizes & is fitted in various places, including the gearboxes! It’s fantastic stuff, & is extremely dense, so a similar sized piece of lead is considerably lighter than the tungsten. Trouble is, it’s flipping expensive! However, I may (only may) be able to source some for you - will let you know
Matey, that would be awesome. Let me know what you can do!!!
Yeah I was thinking the passanger seat holes. Why don’t you like the idea of having the ballast next to you George. If it is securly bolted down, I can’t see the problem??
Should not be a problem, but for added security you could also use a webbing strap across the plates as well as the bolts.
I would not use lead though - is a highly toxic substance, exposure to which can produce a wide range of adverse health effects. Anyone who works with it on a regular basis has to have frequent blood tests. I would not want to sit in a hot confined space with it!
Thanks Sean.
I have thought many times about posting some pictures, but never did, as I think that nobody will find it interesting, especially when we can admire your work. Like I said, we have many similarities in the weight reduction project. And I think this is where the similarities end! Anyway, I will get some pictures soon (next time I get back in the garage) and post them. [I�ll clean it first ]By the way, how can I post photos?
George
I’m sure plenty here woul like to see your work. I would!
May I suggest starting a separate thread? and the pictures, you’d have to upload them to a site like Photobucket and then paste the image link within [image]http://…[/image]
Easy!
Ok, I will do so. Probably tomorrow I will take some photos and upload them. I will try to upload some (older) today.
Ok, I will do so. Probably tomorrow I will take some photos and upload them. I will try to upload some (older) today.
George
Just to confirm… lots of us… me included would love to see pics and stories of rebuilds and weight reduction programmes