User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 25 of 25

Thread: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

  1. #1
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    How much weight can be saved in a Mk1 by replacing all that can be replaced with available fibre glass panels?
    Doors, front Guards, Bonnet, Boot, front and rear bumpers and side and rear glass with perspex.
    Hs anyone done it all and can say it saved 50, 75 or 100Kgs?

    Shameless photo op!


    JP

  2. #2
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Anyone got experience with this?

    JP

  3. #3
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    how about the difference between individual panels. like fibre bonnet vs steel?
    surely someone has used and measured the differences.

    Please.

    Justin

  4. #4
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Ok ill try this way
    Fibre bonnet approximately 6Kg's
    Fibre boot 4.6 kg's
    doors approx 8kg's
    front arches ?

    Does anyone know the weight of the original steel parts?

  5. #5
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,641
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 234 Times in 230 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    why dont you weigh them?

  6. #6
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Car is 12000 miles away at the moment! Literally other side of the planet.
    JP

  7. #7
    Spanner Monkey Pikey15's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Christchurch, New Zealand
    Posts
    463
    Thanks
    57
    Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Quote Originally Posted by jpblue View Post
    Ok ill try this way
    Fibre bonnet approximately 6Kg's
    Fibre boot 4.6 kg's
    doors approx 8kg's
    front arches ?

    Does anyone know the weight of the original steel parts?
    Hey here are the weights of mine that I've just quickly taken for you.

    Bonnet (with stay and Ford letters)! = 14kg
    Bare door = 13kg
    Full door (with glass, winder and lock mechanisms) = 20kg
    Genuine Ford AVO style guard = 4kg

    I can weigh the boot on the weekend for you unless someonebeats me to it

  8. #8
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Good man thanks pikey15
    Very helpfull.
    Cheers

    JP

  9. #9
    Spanner Monkey Pikey15's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Christchurch, New Zealand
    Posts
    463
    Thanks
    57
    Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Quote Originally Posted by jpblue View Post
    Ok ill try this way
    Fibre bonnet approximately 6Kg's
    Fibre boot 4.6 kg's
    doors approx 8kg's
    front arches ?

    Does anyone know the weight of the original steel parts?
    Apologies for the delay, I've weighed my boot lid and it's approximately 9kg, hope this helps

  10. #10
    Pit Crew 5tox's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    cambridgeshire
    Age
    38
    Posts
    1,054
    Thanks
    54
    Thanked 60 Times in 57 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Wow!! thats a lot of weight saving, especially if you use fibreglass wings, perspex windows etc.

  11. #11
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    So it looks like fibre is roughly 50% the Weight of steel.
    Savings of circa 30kg,s on panels, and at a guess another 20 with lexan.
    Big investment for 30-50 kg,s
    Thanks guys
    JP

  12. #12
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,641
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 234 Times in 230 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    5-7% better power to weight ratio for around £500,cheaper than engine mods to give you the same

  13. #13
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Camberley, Surrey
    Posts
    3,233
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 353 Times in 339 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Could always go the whole hog?........... not cheap but probably weighs 25 - 30% of a regular + independent chassis, so trick ltwt. suspenders and driveline - BONUS LOL!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails escortshellwebpic.JPG‎  

    Last edited by katana; 10-06-2017 at 10:20.

  14. #14
    Spanner Monkey ugg10's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    South Coast
    Posts
    175
    Thanks
    30
    Thanked 30 Times in 30 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    If you are looking to put in fibreglass doors, in my opinion I would add a full cage with door bars (negating some if not all of the weight saving), would not like to get t boned by a Chelsea tractor without them.
    1968 Ford Anglia 1.7 Puma engine/Escort front/5 Link rear/RX8 box
    http://www.Anglia1968.weebly.com

  15. #15
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,099
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    a roll cage will add back in about 40kgs

  16. #16
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,641
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 234 Times in 230 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Fibreglass doors aren't Road legal anyway

  17. #17
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Thanks guys,
    Car is very much caged and I'm not interested in road legal as its a race only car.
    Where would I get all the panels for sub 500 pounds?

    Cheers

    JP

  18. #18
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,099
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Fibreglass doors aren't Road legal anyway
    ???? why not? what about TVR, Lotus and a million kit cars they have grp doors

  19. #19
    Mechanic

    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Vic, Australia
    Posts
    662
    Thanks
    133
    Thanked 76 Times in 69 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Graham,

    Whilst I'm not familiar with U.K. rules, which are far, far more lenient than we have here in Oz, they are not legal for a number of reasons, and without going into the Australian Design Rules, the main reason is that they do not have anti-intrusion qualities of standard doors.

    Regardless, it's a race car and the majority of Js car would not pass legislation here anyway.

    Shaun

  20. #20
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,641
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 234 Times in 230 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Because the only ones you'll find for sale are are not certified for road use, so you would need to make them yourself.

  21. #21
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,099
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Because the only ones you'll find for sale are are not certified for road use, so you would need to make them yourself.
    on the basis that theres almost nothing for sale which is certified for road use, its more likely just the manufacturers of the doors ensuring they dont end up in court if theres a injury as a result of an RTA in a car they are fitted to

  22. #22
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,641
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 234 Times in 230 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Not so sure about that, most parts related to safety carry pretty stringent QA, BS5750 and ISO checks, wouldn't really touch anything that hasn't

  23. #23
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,099
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Not so sure about that, most parts related to safety carry pretty stringent QA, BS5750 and ISO checks, wouldn't really touch anything that hasn't
    maybe you wouldnt but the motor trade and internet is awash with cheap crap, or counterfit stuff so you cant always tell. its a well known fact that one of the biggest motor factor that both re imports substandard parts intended for the 3rd world and reboxes cheap shit into brand name boxes

  24. #24
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,641
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 234 Times in 230 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    I'm sure

  25. #25
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User jpblue's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Back in London again
    Posts
    957
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 51 Times in 48 Posts

    Re: Mk1 escort weight savings with fibre and perspex

    So where is best to buy fibre panels that fit?
    JP

+ Reply to Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts