Discussion
I was just looking at the G4 series 2 for 10k in the classifieds (though I think the bonnet is a series 4 with the double bulges, but I'm not an expert) and thought to myself - that'd be an ace restoration project to take over!
Then I thought - I could change the engine to a little RSV-V that's in the kit car forum at the moment. It's a 65kg unit with plent of power and noise - just what the car wants.
But would that be sacrilege? Personally I have no problem with updating cars, but as I get older I understand the reasons behind keeping a car as close to the identicle spec as you can...
Then I thought - I could change the engine to a little RSV-V that's in the kit car forum at the moment. It's a 65kg unit with plent of power and noise - just what the car wants.
But would that be sacrilege? Personally I have no problem with updating cars, but as I get older I understand the reasons behind keeping a car as close to the identicle spec as you can...
hm...that would be sacrilega me thinks for that old poor G4....
maybe better take that other DARE G4 its newer and better and that way you can have best of both worlds? its only a little bit more expensive but a fair price and you "only" have to do the engine conversion...?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/129936.htm
GTRene
maybe better take that other DARE G4 its newer and better and that way you can have best of both worlds? its only a little bit more expensive but a fair price and you "only" have to do the engine conversion...?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/129936.htm
GTRene
I've not been in touch with Dare for a few years... I wonder if they would sell me a rolling chassis - just short of the engine and drive chain?
I'm thinking of making a super light car at the moment and I know the original G2 series 2 was about 408kg with a pre-cross flow 997cc ford all iron engine... I wonder what the Dare G4 mass is? ...
Google!?
I'm thinking of making a super light car at the moment and I know the original G2 series 2 was about 408kg with a pre-cross flow 997cc ford all iron engine... I wonder what the Dare G4 mass is? ...
Google!?Is that all it weighed ?? 400 odd kg ?? Bloody hell !! I've got a G33 which weighs twice that and I thought it was just about 3 inches longer or something !! It would be nice to see that G4 back on the road, i'm all for modifying and making things better but somehow it would seem to be the wrong thing to do with that example. I do like your idea though.....it would make a cracking sound !!
I need to check that this weekend when I can get back to my books as Google seems to have lots of diffrerent info on different specs - I guess that's the problem with rare highly customised/bespoke cars.
I think that the mass in your's is the V8 and 'box though mate - V8s aren't what I'd call light, even the new-fangled all-alloy ones
Still I bet it sounds glorious and goes like stink!
I think that the mass in your's is the V8 and 'box though mate - V8s aren't what I'd call light, even the new-fangled all-alloy ones
Still I bet it sounds glorious and goes like stink!red october said:
rover v8's aren't that heavy are they ? 170 kg maybe thats alot in some books tho 
i think my g27 v8 tipped the scales at 850kg or similar ?
i think my g27 v8 tipped the scales at 850kg or similar ?
Really - that the wet mass with all ancillaries? I'd be really impressed if it was!
I expect the 65kg I quoted for the RSV engine was dry with no ancillaries, but then I'd expect they all have a lower mass than for the V8 too... The clutch for the RSV would have to deal with much lower torque and the gearbox for the RSV could be a lot lighter too (with the lower power).
I still think 850kg for the complete car with a V8 power plant is good
I don't really know how the original G4s were so light - except that the drivechains were rated lower, but then they were all iron
The Dare G4's use a bigger capacity alloy block - so would there be more mass there - along with the ancillaries and in the gearbox?
The chassis is bigger (long cockpit version anyway), so a little more there.
And more for the windscreen - it's bigger and has a GRP surround...
But 400kgs worth?!?!?
I doubt the suspension would be that much heavier to deal with the extra mass too?!!?
I'm back at home tonight, so I'll have a flick through the G4 book and see what that quotes...
Simonb9 falls into the usual readit believeit - here's the truth:
Lotus and Caterham are always ALWAYS quoted in the mainstream motoring press ie: Autocar (Lotus Weekly), EVO and the likes, as THE experts in 'lightweight' this and that, but in truth Ginetta has always been right up there with them -
or in front of them (in more ways than one -lol!).
The original G4s weighed in at 451kg
and the more recent DARE G4s at 570kg
Even the DZ was only 650kg but of course it was rubbished by the mainstream press (recall Auto Distress and Autocar tearing it apart -
strangely, not so by the independent car mags though -
eg: read the long feature on the DZ in Performance Ford magazine - Oct 1999 issue - and you'd think they had driven totally different cars (Dare designed and built 2 models of course, gullwing and open).
Remember these aren't sparten like a Caterham box on wheels.
Mind you a race Caterham probably has 200 kilos of roll cage tubing
Take the Caterham 21 - their entry into the 'closed' sports car, even that weighed in at nearly 100 kilos MORE than a G4.
Lotus and Caterham are always ALWAYS quoted in the mainstream motoring press ie: Autocar (Lotus Weekly), EVO and the likes, as THE experts in 'lightweight' this and that, but in truth Ginetta has always been right up there with them -
or in front of them (in more ways than one -lol!).
The original G4s weighed in at 451kg
and the more recent DARE G4s at 570kg
Even the DZ was only 650kg but of course it was rubbished by the mainstream press (recall Auto Distress and Autocar tearing it apart -
strangely, not so by the independent car mags though -
eg: read the long feature on the DZ in Performance Ford magazine - Oct 1999 issue - and you'd think they had driven totally different cars (Dare designed and built 2 models of course, gullwing and open).
Remember these aren't sparten like a Caterham box on wheels.
Mind you a race Caterham probably has 200 kilos of roll cage tubing
Take the Caterham 21 - their entry into the 'closed' sports car, even that weighed in at nearly 100 kilos MORE than a G4.
Edited by dandarez on Sunday 18th February 11:39
timg4d said:
My G4 with 2 litre Zetec weighs 711kg without driver.
Cheers Tim, that's probably the best number I could ever get.
I know you have the coupe version from your video of the Hillclimb at Goodwood, but what internal trim do you have? I'd expect very little as you use it in competitions?
I've done some more checking and it looks like 450kg was more like the original mass of the G4s, but again the drivechain choices seemed to vary the mass a lot.
If that was right then I think an extra 250kg for the hard top, better windscreen, better interior and a 2 litre (180+ bhp ?) powerplant is good! The extra 140 odd for the V8 would seem about right too as I think the G20, 27 and 33 have a heavier spaceframe as it's built with higher diameter tubes?
Edited by MTv Dave on Monday 19th February 09:14
A Dare G4 with hardtop is quoted at 570kilos (info sheet cd be incorrect but don't think so).
Take this into account - Lotus 340R in race trim (ie: stripped!) is 568 kilos.
Remember, as with all other marques (ie Caterham, Loti etc) they all invariably quote 'UNLADEN' weight.
When it comes to 'lightweight' cars (ie: not gutted!), Dare are tops (or near it).
Think Tim video was Longleat, not Goodwood. He may have stripped it inside (Tim?) as I have not been lucky enough to have seen his car, but think he has the extra roll over chrome tubing (all adds weight).
Take this into account - Lotus 340R in race trim (ie: stripped!) is 568 kilos.
Remember, as with all other marques (ie Caterham, Loti etc) they all invariably quote 'UNLADEN' weight.
When it comes to 'lightweight' cars (ie: not gutted!), Dare are tops (or near it).
Think Tim video was Longleat, not Goodwood. He may have stripped it inside (Tim?) as I have not been lucky enough to have seen his car, but think he has the extra roll over chrome tubing (all adds weight).
Edited by dandarez on Monday 19th February 14:54
My G4 was weighed when I had the corner weights done - 711 kg it is. I don't believe Dare's figure - it would be a lot quicker if it was. My car has full, standard Dare interior trim, boot carpet etc. - it has to stay in place in my class. The (useless - too low)) roll over bar might be slightly heavier than the standard one, but my gearbox has an alloy case so overall there should be little difference.
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