Lightweight door panels

Lightweight door panels

Author
Discussion

kusee pee

Original Poster:

1,021 posts

209 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
Does anyone know where I can find some lightweight interior door panels for my E36 Evo saloon? The car is fully stripped for the track but I need panels to cover up any sharp bits currently exposed on the doors. TIA.

taffyracer

2,093 posts

249 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
all you need is flat sheet, 1mm CF or Twintex will do nicely

kusee pee

Original Poster:

1,021 posts

209 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
Cheers Taffy but I'm afraid that means nothing to me as my brain has no mechanical knowledge whatsoever. I'm not in a position to fabricate anything - I need to buy or get someone who knows what they're doing to fabricate. Any suggestions where to look?

belleair302

6,908 posts

213 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
Where are you based? Companies like CA Automotive, and any number of motorsport teams can work with carbon fibre to help you make panels. Maybe aluminium would be a cheaper alternative. The bonnet is heavy as is the exhaust, both simple areas where trimming weight is not over expensive.

E36GUY

5,906 posts

224 months

Wednesday 9th April 2008
quotequote all
I think Thorney Motorsport sell lightweight body panels.

kusee pee

Original Poster:

1,021 posts

209 months

Wednesday 9th April 2008
quotequote all
Cheers guys, I'll check out Thorney and take it from there.

Mroad

829 posts

221 months

Wednesday 9th April 2008
quotequote all
Just put the door cards back on, you won't save a huge amount of weight by replacing them and if you use aluminium probably add weight.
Just as an example you would be better off spending the money for carbon door cards on light weight rims or an exhaust as mentioned. Both offer weight and performance gains.

trackm3

154 posts

216 months

Wednesday 9th April 2008
quotequote all
Buy some flat sheet from these guys superb quality, i ave just made mine from his sheet e36 m3 saloon as well.

http://www.performance-trim.com/

taffyracer

2,093 posts

249 months

Wednesday 9th April 2008
quotequote all
kusee pee said:
Cheers Taffy but I'm afraid that means nothing to me as my brain has no mechanical knowledge whatsoever. I'm not in a position to fabricate anything - I need to buy or get someone who knows what they're doing to fabricate. Any suggestions where to look?
It doesn't need to be CF, to be honest the weight savingh is negigble and you don't need moulded doors, all you need is basic flatsheet and then trim it to the shape of the door card, use some cardboard 1st as a template and then just cut whatever material you decide and rivet or bond it in place, if you need some help give me a shout, I work with 2 of the largest composite companies and can get CF at discount