Eoi: Carbon Bonnets For 2630 R32 Gtr

[saliya]

So I see there are still a few people on here that have had problems with closing the bonnet on a 2630 in an R32 GTR.

Even with the supports relieved and 20mm of rear-raising the timing cover still fouls on the skin of the standard bonnet.

I don't particularly want to drop or rotate the whole engine if I can avoid it.

I spoke with 'my' engineer and he said no problem to add a carbon bonnet to my ever-growing list provided:

* it uses the original latching and hinges

* it does not violate the 'other' rules e.g. 11m forward visibility and the 165mm ball test

My dream bonnet is basically an exact replica of the stock bonnet with the centre part raised

just a little higher so that I had timing cover clearance (10mm would be fine; 20mm great).

I'd prefer something without vents as I don't really want water in there.

Anyone else interested in something like this? Ideally I'd like to get 4 other members interested.

Cheers,

SW

[TiTAN]

you mean something like an XR8 bonnet bulge?

[zebra]

So I see there are still a few people on here that have had problems with closing the bonnet on a 2630 in an R32 GTR.

Even with the supports relieved and 20mm of rear-raising the timing cover still fouls on the skin of the standard bonnet.

I don't particularly want to drop or rotate the whole engine if I can avoid it.

I spoke with 'my' engineer and he said no problem to add a carbon bonnet to my ever-growing list provided:

* it uses the original latching and hinges

* it does not violate the 'other' rules e.g. 11m forward visibility and the 165mm ball test

My dream bonnet is basically an exact replica of the stock bonnet with the centre part raised

just a little higher so that I had timing cover clearance (10mm would be fine; 20mm great).

I'd prefer something without vents as I don't really want water in there.

Anyone else interested in something like this? Ideally I'd like to get 4 other members interested.

Cheers,

SW

Even if it passes those tests...It is still illegal...the bonnet needs to be ADR approved

[saliya]

Even if it passes those tests...It is still illegal...the bonnet needs to be ADR approved

Hi,

Zebra: In NSW, the RTA determines the rules for vehicle modifications (at least, where you want to register them/drive them on the public roads).

According to their technical division, an engineering signatory is allowed to approve a carbon bonnet.

The signatory I've spoken to is quite happy to approve a carbon bonnet.

With that piece of paper, it is not illegal.

Titan: Those don't look all that bad to me; all I _really_ care about is the clearance and that I don't really want any extra paths for water/crap to come in.

I wouldn't mind vents if they didn't do that.

Cheers,

SW

[bubba]

What is the 165mm ball test?

[TiTAN]

why not just get a hole cut in the current bonnet and get a bulge grafted on?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/XR8-BONNET-BULGE-FI...=item4cef8a6155

[saliya]

What is the 165mm ball test?

Hi,

The ball test refers to the concept of an imaginary 165mm ball that can roll from

the front of the bonnet to the windscreen without being moved 'backwards' (toward the front of the car).

In real terms what this means is that you cannot have a vertical step up of more than 82.5mm - half that imaginary ball,

because if the step were greater then it would intersect with the upper half of the ball and it could not roll

up the step without moving the centre 'backwards'.

Cheers,

SW

[saliya]

Hi,

The ball test refers to the concept of an imaginary 165mm ball that can roll from

the front of the bonnet to the windscreen without being moved 'backwards' (toward the front of the car).

Oops. Or 'upwards'. Basically, anything it touches while rolling toward the windscreen it needs to touch at half its height or less.

Cheers,

SW

[D_Stirls]

There's an Onevia here in SA that has a XR8 bonnet bulge grafted on a FRP bonnet. I'll find some pic's

Edited November 10, 2010 by D_Stirls

[Marko R1]

the bonnet bulge is a great idea.

hang on, mine fit in my 32 & all i did was cut the bonnet brace in 2 places

i.e. above the front cam cover & above the twin turbo intake pipe

[saliya]

the bonnet bulge is a great idea.

hang on, mine fit in my 32 & all i did was cut the bonnet brace in 2 places

i.e. above the front cam cover & above the twin turbo intake pipe

Looking at mine (it sticks out about 10mm past the stock bonnet when closed, no spacers) I have no idea how you managed this.

I have new Nismo mounts, proengines adapter, hi-octane sump with a few mm of clearance at the bottom.

It looks like this so far:

* prepreg/autoclave carbon $1350

* custom glass $880 (ADR-compliant, raised to fit with or without vents) + painting

- neither of these 2 have followed-up regarding a sale.

* glass/carbon layer bonnet approx $750 but I couldn't find one that didn't foul on the timing cover.

* bulge $750 graft + cost of bulge (from someone who would guarantee no cracking) + painting

* hilux/similar glass scoop $120 + painting + fitting

* plastic stick-on scoop $30-$50

* homemade carbon scoop ~$100 + time.

The ADR-compliant glass bonnet works out cheaper than grafting a glass bulge onto the original bonnet.

I'm sure someone could do the grafting cheaper; but I want a no-crack-at-the-join guarantee.

In the interim I have a carbon scoop on there. Fortunately it looks just like one of the stick-on ones

I'm still looking for a final solution.

Cheers,

SW

Edited December 8, 2010 by saliya

[Marko R1]

^ the top or your engine is sticking out 10mm past the stock bonnet when closed? are u referring to 10mm past the bonnet skin OR 10am past the bonnet brace which is the lowest point of the bonnet?

I also have new nismo mounts but im using a rips racing sump adapter & sump extension...what is the thickness of the proengines adapter, 6mm or 8mm?

i remember talking to greg as he built me engine & i think he stated that his adapter is 6mm whereas rips is 8mm

[Adriano]

The adapter doesnt make a difference to the height, I was looking at modifying the timing cover, and tigging a new piece at the top, as there is quite a bit of clearance between the rb26 cover and the timing belt. PS the rb25 covers sit much lower .

I like the idea of the CF bonnet with the bulge, is it $880, or have i misread?

[Scooby]

Hey Saliya

Mate props for spending the money to get a no-crack guarantee if you go down that track. I've seen an R32 GTR with an XR8 bulge an IMHO - taste is relative - it was butt ugly. Marko is right re the cutting, I've done it also and it fits well, I'm a detail freak and I'm happy with it. A vibrating saw is your friend.

How was the 10mm measured, I could close mine with no cutting but it wasn't a great fit ie some interference. What's the offending part?

I think the raised portion in the bonnet that the R32 has is really attractive, maybe a slightly modified version of that would be the way if cutting doesn't work. I knew a guy who designed for Holden, he showed me how a small change could make a nice car really ugly so choose wisely. If you're good with Photoshop spend the time to make it right.

Edited December 23, 2010 by Scooby

[Marko R1]

would be good to know how that other forum member 'simonster' (i think thats his name?) actually created a thread stating that he fit the rb26/30 without cutting the bonnet...how did he do this?

[Adriano]

Pretty sure he used rb25 covers

[Marko R1]

thats what i thought

how much lower are rb25 covers & do they need to be modified to fit?

[Adriano]

About 12mm, its best to have the rb25 backing plate, but you make do without. The rb26 cam covers are also a lot higher than the rb25 ones.

[saliya]

Hey all,

^ the top or your engine is sticking out 10mm past the stock bonnet when closed?

are u referring to 10mm past the bonnet skin OR 10am past the bonnet brace which is the lowest point of the bonnet?

The former: 10mm outside the bonnet skin when closed.

I also have new nismo mounts but im using a rips racing sump adapter & sump extension...what is the thickness of the proengines adapter, 6mm or 8mm?

i remember talking to greg as he built me engine & i think he stated that his adapter is 6mm whereas rips is 8mm

I don't know what the adapter thickness is; but as long as there's no fouling "down bottom" I don't think it matters as the mounts are on the block (not the sump).

The adapter doesnt make a difference to the height, I was looking at modifying the timing cover, and tigging a new piece at the top, as there is quite a bit of clearance between the rb26 cover and the timing belt. PS the rb25 covers sit much lower .

I like the idea of the CF bonnet with the bulge, is it $880, or have i misread?

You've misread A full prepreg CF bonnet looks like about $1350 at this stage; $880 would be for an ADR-compliant glass bonnet with or without vents.

Hey Saliya

Mate props for spending the money to get a no-crack guarantee if you go down that track. I've seen an R32 GTR with an XR8 bulge an IMHO - taste is relative - it was butt ugly. Marko is right re the cutting, I've done it also and it fits well, I'm a detail freak and I'm happy with it. A vibrating saw is your friend.

Mine definitely did not fit. The bonnet would close by applying some force: enough force to bend the bonnet around the 10mm lump

For me: if it's the same $ to get a bulge grafted to my bonnet as it is to get a full glass bonnet, I would probably prefer to get a complete glass bonnet...

How was the 10mm measured, I could close mine with no cutting but it wasn't a great fit ie some interference. What's the offending part?

Timing cover is what sticks out, 10mm at the largest part.

The hole that permits the bonnet to fully close without touching any part of the motor is about 80mm front-back x 180mm wide.

The support on the inside is cut about 5-10mm forwards of the hole, and about 60-70mm further aft of the hole (i.e. the "space inside" is greater than the hole).

I think the raised portion in the bonnet that the R32 has is really attractive, maybe a slightly modified version of that would be the way if cutting doesn't work. I knew a guy who designed for Holden, he showed me how a small change could make a nice car really ugly so choose wisely. If you're good with Photoshop spend the time to make it right.

Heh, I would probably have more luck modifying a car file from one of those speed/chase/turismo games.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the prepreg and glass vendors; I will get back in touch with them in the new year.

Merry Xmas and a happy new year to all.

Cheers,

SW

[Char]

last time i checked my gtst bonnet was hitting on my rocker cover breathers and i think also my turbo..

to be continued

Edited December 31, 2010 by Char