Lightweight Bonnet

[s3dave]

I am converting my 350i into a race car, I am obviously looking at weight saving. The bonnet is ridiculously heavy, has anyone made a lightweight bonnet? Once finished I will write an article on the whole conversion story - probably in Sprint

[mk1fan]

I didn't think the Wedge bonnet was that heavy BUT ..

I do have a Tuscan Racer bonnet and an S4 bonnet and there is a huge difference in weight (and rigidity).

The easiest solution is to try Black Cat panels - if they still exist - and discuss with them making a bonnet for you but with just two or three layers of mesh. I believe they have all of the Wedge bonnet molds. May need to collect it hough as it will be flimsy.

[mrzigazaga]

If I could i would...might damge your original bonnet but not considerably enough to warrant it crap...dont know...what do others think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fefPLyI3Vlc

[KKson]

I think Black Cat made a lightweight composite bonnet for Andy Race and his SEAC a few years back. When Andy bought the car it didnt come with a bonnet. I think Mr Woolie now owns the car.

[adam quantrill]

Steve Heath's purple throbbing monster had an aly "bonnet" made of bits of scrap aly sheet.

You just need something to stop the marshalls from falling into the engine bay.

[Geoff391]

Defo ask blackcat panels , they made me a mid-weight bonnet for one of my cars. Collected from Graham at a brands hatch race day and had to carry it back to the car park by myself and it was windy


I wanted mid-weight so that it was flexible

Edited by Geoff391 on Wednesday 8th October 23:00

[Geoff391]

I also have a full rollcage from a tasmin race car if You need one

[Wedg1e]

I did ask Graham at Black Cat if there was any chance of a 390SE Series 2 front airdam some years back but neither he nor TET beforehand had the mould for one. It became the stubby front of the 400SE of course.

[s3dave]

Thanks for all the comments. I certainly will be talking to black cat. Thanks for the roll cage offer, unfortunately we are already booked in (and deposit paid) for roll cage fitting.

We are still short of quality race wheels, we also need to source a 4.5 or 5.0 v8 engine (poss P38) that we can rebuild and turbo plus finding someone to manufacture a bespoke rose jointed front suspension.

Any further advise on how to reduce weight would also be appreciated. Obviously the interior is being stripped and heater matrix removed. Electric window including mechanism and headlights already removed. Fuel tanks look a bit rough and we will remove and inspect them when we lift the body and then decide what to do with them. Good news is the chassis has recently been refurbished and power coated.

[Ben_gough]

Do you want to sell the original bonnet? I'm lacking a bonnet for my 400SE project. Ideally I'd like the one with the vents on the front left & rear right corners, but I've not found any bonnet yet, so one without vents is an option.

[barrington]

I have a couple spares bonnets

[barrington]

I have a couple spare bonnets with no vents

[Ben_gough]

I'll pm you!

No I won't, I can't as a recent member. I'm in Warwickshire, so apologies bit of a trek to Essex, but I'm interested.

Edited by Ben_gough on Saturday 7th March 19:01

[barrington]

Ben_gough said:

I'll pm you!

No I won't, I can't as a recent member. I'm in Warwickshire, so apologies bit of a trek to Essex, but I'm interested.

Edited by Ben_gough on Saturday 7th March 19:01

I have 2 bonnets available