98 talon tsi road racer

[arrowhead]

Can't wait to see how this car turns out and what the final weight of the car is.

Thanks for your interest, hoping to make this the lightest car I have built, I have not taken anything out of engine bay and there is a lot there I am really going to have fun.

 

[DSM's 4 life]

wow should be one light DSM, keep up the good work.

 

[arrowhead]

Hi guys

These is a small update with some of the parts and the weights of the original part and in the case of the gutted door, I cleaned up the original door as much as I could have, but still came out at 18# way too heavy for me, as you can see the fiber door is just about half, sometimes it feels it is going to take forever since I am making all the parts and I do it all by myself.

Hope you guys enjoy it.

Have not forgotten about the write up on procedure to make this stuff.

How do I write above the pics. I am afraid of losing the posts if I make a mistake?

 

[snowborder714]

When in the "Go Advanced" section, click on the paper clip icon. This will show you all the images you have uploaded. Find where in the text you'd like to place a picture and put your cursor there. Then click on the paperclip icon and select the picture you want to insert.

 

[arrowhead]

trial

another trial

keep on trying 31# without the glass and all the trim.

 

[arrowhead]

Thanks for your interest.

 

[chukolac719]

what do u think it is about watching a car being transformed taking it all apart and getting your hands dirty spending hours and money on end till you create a one of a kind monster. DSM 4 LIFE!!

 

[arrowhead]

what do u think it is about watching a car being transformed taking it all apart and getting your hands dirty spending hours and money on end till you create a one of a kind monster. DSM 4 LIFE!!

Pride, satisfaction, self accomplishment, all of those things that make us feel good and if the car bug or speed bug bites you, you will be infected forever, that is why setting realistic goals is so important, a lot of people will let their day dreaming get the better part of themselves and in these projects if you are not realistic the project will be abandoned as you will see many times and they get parted out or taken to the junk yard.

If you take it to the end, although there is really never and end, then you will have all of those good feelings I mentioned before.

Dont give up on it.

Thanks

 

[arrowhead]

just a couple more pictures

big weight difference

 

[mattasi]

Good job man, I love what your doing to the car. Lots of time, but worth it, to people like you and me.

 

[arrowhead]

Good job man, I love what your doing to the car. Lots of time, but worth it, to people like you and me.

Glad you appreciate the work and effort.

Thanks

 

[DSMnoobsause]

no messing around. I love it!!

 

[arrowhead]

no messing around. I love it!!

YEA, you are correct, have to take advantage of low or minimal investments any chance you get. I could not afford all of this if I were not doing myself. I in a way feel lucky. It may take a little longer but will be able to use my limited funds to improve
the car in other areas.

You are right, no messing around I can not afford to.

Thanks

 

[arrowhead]

Slowly, but surely the weight keeps coming off

Also I am almost done with the dash board mold, it actually turned better than I expected, I will have to do some touch ups but nothing major, the part itself will come in at about 7# close to a 35# saving.

 

[snowborder714]

Very nice savings! I'm still waiting for a nice write-up on how to lay up a part either for a one-off fiber production or to make a mold for replicating

Can't wait to see the dash!

 

[flyineagletsi]

I think you may have surpassed Joe Bucci's fanatical weight reduction! But its more advantageous when turning than straight line drags. Love it. You going to do mine next?

 

[98zx23369]

I was skeptical when you first started but may I say. Damn that is a serious diet. Very nice work, you are my hero

 

[arrowhead]

Very nice savings! I'm still waiting for a nice write-up on how to lay up a part either for a one-off fiber production or to make a mold for replicating

Can't wait to see the dash!

I know I promised to do a write up, but I want to sit down and do it right so everyone can get an idea how really simple it can be, time is just not there and like I mentioned before a bunch of my friends want parts made, but I just dont have the time.
Except sometimes I can not say no, in lasts week race at Homestead the 2 front running cars had a little run in at one of the turns, well guess what, my friends
Olds lost, pass door, both fenders, hood and front spoiler I will post pictures by Wed. and he wants his car ready for the next race so I am going to be a little busy for the next 2 wks.

I think the dash is going to turn out real nice, it was a real PITA to make the mold and still have some touch up to do to it,

Thanks

I think you may have surpassed Joe Bucci's fanatical weight reduction! But its more advantageous when turning than straight line drags. Love it. You going to do mine next?

Hey J.
I guess your new job is keeping you busy, hope all is going OK,

Dont know who Joe Bucci is but I will look it up, as always your references have been very helpful and all the info you provided when I was getting started on this project and you more than anyone else know from the start I was a weight nut.

Weight reduction is maybe more helpful in more areas when you are doing turns but remember it also helps when you are slowing down, as it really plays a big roll on your braking, which you know has been a big concern of mine from the start.

On the straight line it also gives a tremendous benefit. As a matter of fact I am in the process of helping a semi local friend with a diet on his car, I can probably reduce his weight by maybe 400# dont know what it will translate to on his time slips but I am sure it is going to help him.

I have already invited you to come down, maybe you could bring your car down and put it on the diet.

I do thank you again this time publicly for your very good info.

Mandy

I was skeptical when you first started but may I say. Damn that is a serious diet. Very nice work, you are my hero

Well I can understand why you would be, not many people can go as far, but to build a road race car you must do as much as you can to reduce weight.

I do thank you for your comments and must add. YOU aint seen nothing yet.

 

[KAOI]

Hey arrowhead! We need to chat! Im currently building a custom dsm powered car (ariel atom-ish) and im planning on doing a fiber glass body and I'm sculpting foam insulation panels for the mold.
That being said...I have a few questions...
What epoxy are you using? Are you doing cloth or chopped mat? If cloth what weight and how many layers are you laying?

Love the work so far man looks KILLER. Im actually really excited for the final product. Keep up the great work.

 

[91stocker]

Great work so far. I remember reading the article on why the evo's went to an aluminum roof. The results from a couple lbs lost from that high on the car had a pretty substantial difference.

This would be even more drastic. Would love to see the finished product and final weight you end up with.

Its too bad we cant use the 4b11 block, they are something like 30lbs lighter.

 

[arrowhead]

Hey arrowhead! We need to chat! Im currently building a custom dsm powered car (ariel atom-ish) and im planning on doing a fiber glass body and I'm sculpting foam insulation panels for the mold.
That being said...I have a few questions...
What epoxy are you using? Are you doing cloth or chopped mat? If cloth what weight and how many layers are you laying?

Love the work so far man looks KILLER. Im actually really excited for the final product. Keep up the great work.

Be glad to help.
What is ariel atom-ish?
Take some pictures so I will have a better idea.Epoxy resin if that is what you are asking.
I use mat in different weights, it depends on which layer it is, same with cloth but I always try to use the lightest one possible.

The combo of materials in a mold is different from the final part.
Thanks

Great work so far. I remember reading the article on why the evo's went to an aluminum roof. The results from a couple lbs lost from that high on the car had a pretty substantial difference.

This would be even more drastic. Would love to see the finished product and final weight you end up with.

Its too bad we cant use the 4b11 block, they are something like 30lbs lighter.

Thanks
Would like to read the article, although is common practice in racing and has been for a very long time.
You are right on the 4b11.

 

[arrowhead]

Well getting car ready to go to body shop to have it check out, the car does not look like it has ever been hit and everything I have measured falls pretty close to what they should be.

I have to do this before cage is installed and any welding is done this way I make sure I am working with a body that is not even slightly twisted or not tracking properly and if any issues come up latter I wont go crazy trying to figure out what is wrong.

This is an expense well worth it.

A couple of more pictures, things have been going slow with the car this past wk

I think you may have surpassed Joe Bucci's fanatical weight reduction! But its more advantageous when turning than straight line drags. Love it. You going to do mine next?

Trying to find the person you mentioned Joe Bucci.

Is that a users name or real name I search ed under user name and nothing comes up, like to see what he is doing or done, I can always learn something.

Thanks

 

[DSM's 4 life]

looking good. Did you have a color in mind when you go and paint it?

 

[arrowhead]

All my cars have been a combo of yellow and black with different lines and this one will be same.

Is like a school bus yellow but with an orange tint, I like this color because when the car is on the track it can be easily spotted and can be pick out from a pack.

Dont know how the black lines would run yet.

Thanks

 

[delta448]

Trying to find the person you mentioned Joe Bucci.

Mr. Bucci is known for his budget built lightweight FWD Laser. He ran 10's on a 14b in a FWD back in 2004-2005.

Home Page

Be sure to read about project goodwill to get the whole history of the car.