Discussion
Hi all,
I gotta do a small engineering project (design and build). I can do it on whatever I like so I thought I would do something to improve my S3. My current ideas are: - Easy fit dash to cover the old flaking wood look dash, will be able to fit without removing the old one. Silicone coolant hose kit but taking a different route to avoid the alternator belt a bit better. May design proximity sensors to aid parking? Any other niggles anyone has with the design of the S that I could do?
I gotta do a small engineering project (design and build). I can do it on whatever I like so I thought I would do something to improve my S3. My current ideas are: - Easy fit dash to cover the old flaking wood look dash, will be able to fit without removing the old one. Silicone coolant hose kit but taking a different route to avoid the alternator belt a bit better. May design proximity sensors to aid parking? Any other niggles anyone has with the design of the S that I could do?
johns3 said:
Easy fit dash to cover the old flaking wood look dash, will be able to fit without removing the old one. Silicone coolant hose kit but taking a different route to avoid the alternator belt a bit better.
Sorry, I've done both of these.
A good thing that I and many have wanted to do is create Griff style headlight covers for the S. I started, then gave it to Podie who gave it to someone else and onwards.
If you're feeling really up for it, a set of induction trumpets to go inside the plenum. (Have a plenum and inlet manifold knocking around somewhere).
Alloy stalks and controls. (I think Lee Bee did these but not seen him around much lately).
Better routing for the "fresh (pelt you with stones and inscets) vents".
Just some ideas there for you. As you can tell I thought about modifying a lot, just didn't get round to doing a lot of it.
Got a few more ideas written down somewhere.
Easy...
A truely portable roof to maximise boot space. Four struts to go where the lugs of the existing roof go, and some sort of canvas to cover them. Should give you a few challenges...
It's something I started working on, but then sold the S, so never finished it.
You may design and produce under licence.
A truely portable roof to maximise boot space. Four struts to go where the lugs of the existing roof go, and some sort of canvas to cover them. Should give you a few challenges...
It's something I started working on, but then sold the S, so never finished it.
You may design and produce under licence.
Leven style stalks / switches / vents etc etc I know Leebee does this already however ( and absolutely no disrespect inteneded ) he is so hard to get in touch with and it is a part time thing for him that I don't fancy sending my existing switches off to him and not getting them back for a long while.
How about a hub conversion to allow fitting of 16inch Spiders F908TIM has the flush headlight covers, he was getting on well with them last time we met and they looked good but he was trying to source some thicker but flexible perspex.
I've not heard from Tim for a while, hope he's OK.
Tim, where are you?
Pod's I didn't know you were working on a roof design too. Similarly, I sold my S and progress stopped but I did draft a design for it and approached an engineering company to construct the frame who took measurments of my car etc.
I've not heard from Tim for a while, hope he's OK.
Tim, where are you? Pod's I didn't know you were working on a roof design too. Similarly, I sold my S and progress stopped but I did draft a design for it and approached an engineering company to construct the frame who took measurments of my car etc.
Basically the design I had consisted of two solid portions (GRP) for each end of the roof (the bits by each door) - essentially a cut down panel of the existing roof design. These were linked by canvas, and then sat on two struts. Basically it was for summer use only, and not for when the car was moving quickly; although it did roll up nicely. 
Like GreenV8S, I then looked at a three panel version to sit in the boot...
Like GreenV8S, I then looked at a three panel version to sit in the boot...
Yes...Yes...I am still here!
Hi Kentish.
On the headlight cowl thing...well not much to report really.I need my arse kicking as the idea has not progressed for much to long.
I need to take an afternoon off work and beetle over to a perspex seller in S London for a chat.(Not Open Saturdays!)Then source somewhere I can get a couple of rubber profiles to fit my/their ideas.
I have the legendary fibreglass cowls from Podie but not sure I want to use them or not yet.
If we could make a cowl that fits the current shape with the Chrome ring removed it would be much better as others could get the same thing made.
Not easy if I used the only cowl forms in existance and/or I don't want to fill the wing with screws!
I would be interested in helping with ideas/plans for an alternative roof if anyone like Kevin or Podie wanted to start me off with their drawings.
One that folds down to the rear shelf must be possible.
Praps this time round it could also watertight!!!
Hi Kentish.
On the headlight cowl thing...well not much to report really.I need my arse kicking as the idea has not progressed for much to long.
I need to take an afternoon off work and beetle over to a perspex seller in S London for a chat.(Not Open Saturdays!)Then source somewhere I can get a couple of rubber profiles to fit my/their ideas.
I have the legendary fibreglass cowls from Podie but not sure I want to use them or not yet.
If we could make a cowl that fits the current shape with the Chrome ring removed it would be much better as others could get the same thing made.
Not easy if I used the only cowl forms in existance and/or I don't want to fill the wing with screws!
I would be interested in helping with ideas/plans for an alternative roof if anyone like Kevin or Podie wanted to start me off with their drawings.
One that folds down to the rear shelf must be possible.
Praps this time round it could also watertight!!!
How about redesigning the bonnet hinges to use a cantilever style? Then as you lift the back the front also rises a few inches giving sufficient ground clearance for the bonnet to opened vertically without touching the ground. You would have to build in fore/aft, up/down, left/right adjustment.
definatly some great suggestions here. All of them would certainly imrove the S. For this particular project I have only 12 weeks, working on it one day per week so a fairly simple qroject would be best. But im thinking about tackling some of the other suggestions in my own time where I can spend more time on the S. I will keep you all posted on what I do. I may make multiples of whatever I make incase others want them. Thankyou all for your suggestions!
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