29 replies to this topic

[bunsenburner]

I would be interested at £1k for a painted product. I prefer weight saving over practicality so I'm not too bothered about it being hinged etc but I would like the fixings provided. I am keen to understand the impact on temperatures. From the pic it seems Thorney have raced/tested with it. Do they have the clam cut away at the rear to aid the airflow? Do they have any analysis on temperatures and aero impacts or even why they made it and whether it worked?

[TheRealVXed]

To be honest, engine bay temerature whilst moving are unlikely to be affected and also I can't understand why everyone is so hung up on them?! given that the top of the standard engine bay is open, how can anyone think it is going to be hotter than say a Fiat 500s engine bay which has virtually no front grill.... my mind boggles. Back on topic. Would they have to come as a pair? Is the hardtop fixed in the same way as the original (i.e. could you use the soft top with this, roof off etc?) 1K for an unpainted unattachable product is pretty steep! I would reckon, without fixings and unpainted £600 would be fair, with fixings and unpainted £800 and with fixings and painted £1K. A little bit of effort on sorting the fixings out would be pretty beneficial I reckon.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

OK. Firstly weight. In carbon the two items are lighter than the boot lid you would remove, that does not take into consideration any weight saving on the roof or the roll hoop cover. Now clearance. The hardtop is single skinned and gives as much head/helmet clearance as the soft top. Fixings. The panels would be supplied as skin only, there are no fixings for the hardtop or the coupe engine cover. My hardtop is bolted onto the roll cage and uses no original fixings. OE Roll Hoop Cover. This is removed, even more weight saving. Finish. The finish will be bare, no painting offered. Engine Temps. These will be reduced as long as the rear clam is vented. On the TMS Britcar there was no boot floor and the rear clam had extra vents. High Level Brake Light. Needs to work if fitted. In summary, This is a set up for a race or dedicated track car sold to somebody who is prepared to put in the effort to fix it properly, it is not for those who want a road car mod that can be reversed.

[techieboy]

In summary, This is a set up for a race or dedicated track car sold to somebody who is prepared to put in the effort to fix it properly, it is not for those who want a road car mod that can be reversed.

Spot on.

[TheRealVXed]

Ahh I see, so in theory you could bolt into the holes left from where the original fixings are in the rollover hoop? What about at the windscreen end? Do you have any pics of it off the car? My thought on hinging etc would be, to cut the fastback part into a fastback and a new rollover cover, bond a hinge onto either side so that the "boot" would open. Then bond in a bar across the middle to attach into the original boot fixing, thus you have a fast back, with fixings hinge etc, good weight savings, and not too expensive. Drop me a PM. I may be interested in the conversion of the originals to bolt and fit solution for re-sale....

[bunsenburner]

To be honest, engine bay temerature whilst moving are unlikely to be affected and also I can't understand why everyone is so hung up on them?! given that the top of the standard engine bay is open, how can anyone think it is going to be hotter than say a Fiat 500s engine bay which has virtually no front grill.... my mind boggles.

Tracking my SC has caused a few heat related problems (primarily 3 CV boots/joints this year), and I have resolved to get temps down as much as possible this year.

It may be a bit paranoid but once bitten, twice shy.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Ah the pax inner CV boot. It is not unique on your car, bothe me in my SC and VXT'ED in his tubby have the same issue. Next time, put a small WD40 Can straw in the smaller clip to let the heat expanded air out to avoid the boot balooning.

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

Ah the pax inner CV boot. It is not unique on your car, bothe me in my SC and VXT'ED in his tubby have the same issue. Next time, put a small WD40 Can straw in the smaller clip to let the heat expanded air out to avoid the boot balooning.

[alanoo]

Would be interested but can't see any use for the roof scoop imho... Is the "hardtop" based on a normal vx220 curve at its rear/roll bar cover part or is it moulded on a Lotus part ? (real question is wether it would work with another vx or lotus "race" hardtop without scoop or not)

Edited by alanoo, 05 January 2012 - 10:28 AM.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

The hardtop is the standard curve for the VX.