Panel Weight -steel-fiberglass-alloy

GTV-GR · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:42 PM

Recently bought some fiberglass panels for my gtv 2000 from plastic bob in the UK , they come in 2 versions race and street, i bought a street hood it weighted 6kgr the original weights 12kgrs.How much that would be if it was alluminium?

what is the weight save if i go fiber on-hood -trunk and doors?

ps. Don't expect exact matching of the hood lines if you go fiber

PSk · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:53 PM

I believe alloy can be lighter, but the main advantage of fibreglass is it is ideal for racing conditions as it is dead simple to repair ... while alloy requires a skilled panel beater.

Fibreglass will even flex a fair bit before it finally fails ... been there and repaired the damage

.

The biggest weight saving will be replacing the doors, they are real heavy on a 105 ... but also in the middle of the car so the weight is between the wheels.
Pete

Mound Dawg · #3 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 01:40 AM

Here are the weights for the boot (trunk) lids we have on the shelf-

Steel 5.84 kg

Alu 2.54 kg

Glass 2.8 kg

Assume the same sort of weight difference for the other panels, I don't have an alu hood panel to weigh but I remember that the one we supplied for Bill's car (very special GT) was very light, even compared to glass ones I've sent out.

As for doors, you'll have to bear in mind that the frame will remain steel for an alu one so the percentage weight saving will be less as it's only the weight of the skin that's different. Alu skins are much lighter than steel ones but very flimsy. I'd guess that glass doors would work out lightest and be a better idea for daily use than alu.

I've weighed a glass door and it comes out at 4.9kg. I'll let you strip a steel door and weigh it...

GTV-GR · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 11:41 AM

Mound is the fiber hood 100% you have as the original ?
the one i got from bob isn't, the lines with the fender aren't spot on , is this regular with fiber parts?

Mound Dawg · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:42 AM

Glass fibre panels always need a bit of work to fit them as they're moulded from originals which may or may not be exactly right. I wouldn't expect them to be perfect as they're race panels really and their purpose is to save weight.

That GTA Replica on our website used glass hood and trunk lids which shows what you can achieve given enough time and patience!

AlfaGTV25 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-16-2009, 04:08 PM

Where do you find fibe glass doors?