4g Weight reduction & MOT question

chrismc · Post by **chrismc** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 6:52 pm

This is really aimed at those with track cars that are still road legal (with MOT)

Our 4g is now pretty well stripped for track use- all trim, headlining, carpets, aircon, cruise etc is all gone

I'm now poised to take the next step having seen various build threads but I'm holding off as I'm not sure where il stand with MOT requirements- we will still require the car to be road legal.

My plan is to cut out the excess unrequired metal from rear inner wings/arches & bootlid as well as the door panels to shed a few more kg's

I shall not be removing any anchor points for the seatbelts etc.

Has anyone got any pointers with how far I can go?

Cheers

Chris

Post by **Pushki** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:04 pm

I think you'll find everything you ever wanted to know about weight reduction in this thread.

http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/profile ... -t640.html

106pete · Post by **106pete** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:07 pm

I'm planning on doin it soon and I think as long as there are no sharp edges etc then it's not a problem.

chrismc · Post by **chrismc** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:13 pm

Cool- I want to do the bits mentioned above as per how Rich has done them in his thread, but was just a bit hesitant as you can't hit the undo button with a cutting disc

Will use my trusty dremel to make sure all edges are nicely tidied

W1ggz · Post by **W1ggz** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:23 pm

are there not any impact bars within the doors? would that not affect the safety aspect, but then if it cant be seen by the mot tester it cant be checked

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:27 pm

dont forget your removing strength rich is installing a cage so is putting the strength back in to the shell. I wouldnt want to drive the lude without most of the interior strengthening get tboned and it will fold.

secla · Post by **secla** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:07 pm

I agree with above. All well and good taking weight out but if you take it to far it will be at the expense of your safety

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:25 pm

mercutio wrote:dont forget your removing strength rich is installing a cage so is putting the strength back in to the shell. I wouldnt want to drive the lude without most of the interior strengthening get tboned and it will fold.

weight saving = free horse power but as mercutio said a cage is replacing things to put strength back in, i've had race cars where i have cut the whole door out and just had the door skin left but its been replaced by a pair of door bars, i've cut out the rear floor comepletely but the roll cage then forms a part of the structure of the car. theres a lot to be learnt from the grasstrack boys when it comes to weight saving, a roll cage is a must and not exactly a light object but can become so much more than just a rollcage.

chrismc · Post by **chrismc** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:54 pm

I'm not going to extemes by any means gents just to set things straight! Im only looking to save a bit here & there using the cutter- the plan is for the car to have an MOT as per the first post

I was only wondering at what point an MOT tester would perhaps fail the car with regards to cutting internal panels? Are there any specific guidelines for what is/isn't allowed?

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:58 pm

i wouldnt cut interior panels but maybe get a hole saw and cut holes out and swage them that way the panels is still there but with less metal