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Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:02 pm
by Vanne
Lol yeah, just considering this picture, you can see how much of the rear wheel arch has been cut out and that to the extent of the amount that the car is now lowered. That's just one of the small examples on this car.
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And as an example of what you can't see in this pic is that just as much has also been cut out of the inner rear wheel well, and rewelded structurally to make the wheel sit like this and have enough room for suspension travel, taking into account that proper slicks will have a bigger sidewall.


Beanie, it really has been a fun project and I hope it all pays off in the end. Development of the car has been both one of the most fun things I've ever done, and at the very same time one of the most annoying, difficult and frustrating, things I've done. Would I do it again? While I am kicking back in the hotel in Cebu, I can easily say no frikkin way!! When I step out of the car after a few short test drives, with a smile from ear to ear, grinning like a crazy maniac, I would do it again in an instant..

A lot of the difficult parts have been the trail and error of the developments in this car. I have to thank a lot of people for Thier help, input and support also from forums, like this one, you can't do a project like this by yourself, the ideas and motivation are paramount. (Notice I haven't mentioned cash) it would be easy to take this to a shop, throw a s**t load of cash at it and tell someone, "turn this into a race car!" That's not how this has gone, if I had it would have probably been finished in 6 months. This is now close to 3 years work and development... It's been a long ride, that's for sure..

but I sure as heck can't wait to get this out onto the track. :D

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 2:59 pm
by beanie
Good to hear you’re still enjoying it, especially after 3 years!

I can imagine it’s been testing at times given that it’s so far from the norm. I can’t imagine there’s much or any info out there for this conversion, so it must be very much try it and see!

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 8:39 pm
by 1536Z4
Vanne wrote: Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:02 pm but I sure as heck can't wait to get this out onto the track.
Me too :D Well done on your persistence and thanks to the other people who have helped you so that you can show us your progress .

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 3:44 am
by Vanne
thanks guys, again, the input and motivational support from you guys have been absolutely awesome! Pretty darn happy with the exhaust.. car needs a damn solid cleanup inside, so much dust and crap from previous work still in there.. might do that this week while i ponder over another issue i need to solve. :thumbsup:

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 9:48 pm
by Vanne
I tackled one of the jobs I've been putting off for heaps as it's an absolute cee you next Tuesday of a job. :!: Be sure i changed the brake ratio, and moved the pivot point upwards by 28mm, I had to do the same to the master cylinder.. which I put off for a while . Anyways, tackled it's few days ago, and I gotta tell you, it's not a fun job,took me the whole freaking day. And at the end of it, I was just absolutely farked...

But we had success, and here it is without further ado.
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The hard part of this job is that the pedal box has to stay exactly where it is , and only the master cylinder and it's mount has to move up the same amount as the change in pedal ratio.

Pretty darn choofed with how that turned out. Had to grind a notch in the fire wall by also around 23mm and the metal pedal box frame behind it.

Pretty difficult job that, but sorted it in the end. :thumbsup:

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:46 pm
by 1536Z4
Vanne wrote: Sat Apr 02, 2022 9:48 pm Be sure i changed the brake ratio, and moved the pivot point upwards by 25mm,
What was your reason for doing this change ?

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:36 pm
by axelleveau
1536Z4 wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:46 pm What was your reason for doing this change ?
He removed the brake booster and ABS system as he is doing track use only, goal being to have a more predictible response. When using the brake booster you can afford to have a low ratio as the force you apply from pedal to master cylinder is amplified by the booster and the low ratio makes the pedal feel stiffer by reducing travel. Once you remove the booster, you need to increase the ratio otherwise you'd have to push too hard on the pedal. You allegedly still have a stiff and direct feel thanks to the reduced amount of parts on the system while shedding weight and reliability risks.

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:40 pm
by 1536Z4
axelleveau wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:36 pm Once you remove the booster, you need to increase the ratio otherwise you'd have to push too hard on the pedal.
Hi axelleveau ,

Excellent explanation . Thank you . :thumbsup:

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 12:39 pm
by Vanne
Cheers Axel, pretty much spot on, aside from weve kept the ABS. :thumbsup: (at this stage anyways)

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 1:21 pm
by Wursle
Such an interesting thread so far! where did you purchase the new dash from?

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:36 pm
by Vanne
I bought it from Kings in Germany a few years back, they have however gone out of buisness (covid probably)
It's modelled after the E30 race dash, it is very light and it wasn't that expensive either compared to the e86 version from BMW. I've had it covered in alcantara after cutting the holes I needed. :thumbsup:

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 10:41 am
by Vanne
Finally back to it after a 2 week break from spannering on the car.

Had to remove the brake pedal again as the spring tension tab was fouling the custom eye bolt.

So yup, cut the tab and reweld it 7mm higher.

Took a while to get it perfect.. now it's sorted
.here's a few quick and dirty mud maps of the new master cylinder mount.
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We're getting close people!!! :thumbsup:

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 12:18 pm
by Vanne
And there you thought things went dark for a second.. ;)

Just really busy with work, that and the fact that it's now stinking hot outside. So timing doesn't matter so much as long as the car will be ready for shake down when it starts to cool down again..

So... Working on the lights .
As you may or may not know, the OEM lights don't fit anymore as the wheels foul the light housing when it's sitting this low..

So I've gutted the housing, completely cut the lenses off and remodeled the inside. The holagen projectors are gone, replaces by nothing.. where the low beams sat, is now the main high beam.
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New lenses ordered as the other ones are scratched to hell..

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:39 pm
by 1536Z4
Vanne wrote: Tue May 31, 2022 12:18 pm OEM lights don't fit anymore
It`s never ending . One change always leads to another :)

Vanne's lightweight/ interior modification thread

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 3:10 pm
by Vanne
the new lenses rocked up today, ill get the pool finsihed and then straight onto the lights... :thumbsup: