Project EVGT

[t-tony]

Very true Iain.

Tony.

ps. Wish I had a quid for every one.

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

Progress. Not as much as I would like, but progress.

View: https://youtu.be/3hXMlP3PIIo

 

[IainP]

My mate has finally (!) given me the dimensions for the box he wants folded, so hopefully have the folder on its way next Monday.
Bent up some 3mm steel to the crossmember, there’s an extra hole added for a 10mm rivnut I’m adding to mine. Even found some box, I’ll profile that to the cross tube and drill one end of that. I use 10mm id tube in the cross tube that bolts to the chassis so it doesn’t crush. Means you’ll need to drill and weld one side to match your car as there’s no side to side clearance, unlike the standard ‘x’ brace which has loads.
It’s not a chassis modification as it unbolts, but it is significantly stronger then the ‘x ‘ brace. You can adjust the two box section tubes to whatever width spacing/angle you like.
I’ll send with the folder in one parcel, I shouldn’t need that back for 4-5 months.

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

My mate has finally (!) given me the dimensions for the box he wants folded, so hopefully have the folder on its way next Monday.
Bent up some 3mm steel to the crossmember, there’s an extra hole added for a 10mm rivnut I’m adding to mine. Even found some box, I’ll profile that to the cross tube and drill one end of that. I use 10mm id tube in the cross tube that bolts to the chassis so it doesn’t crush. Means you’ll need to drill and weld one side to match your car as there’s no side to side clearance, unlike the standard ‘x’ brace which has loads.
It’s not a chassis modification as it unbolts, but it is significantly stronger then the ‘x ‘ brace. You can adjust the two box section tubes to whatever width spacing/angle you like.
I’ll send with the folder in one parcel, I shouldn’t need that back for 4-5 months.

View attachment 213523

Amazing! Remind me how big the folder is? I have a 30cm-ish one but bigger would be great. Need to make a gearbox/motor mount as well and thinking I'll fold that up.

Full video to come but some updates:

- I've bought a 3D scanner. Only a cheap one but gets well reviewed (if any of you watch the Making for Motorsport channel, it's the one reviewed on there recently)
- Done loads of sorting in the workshop. Looking properly tidy now.
- and the big news: engine is out of the GT!

 

[IainP]

Sorry, didn’t make it home until late.

I’m sure it’s 30 inch, only supposed to take up to 1.2mm sheet but I’ve reinforced the bed with angle so it’ll likely do a bit more than that. Never tried really, I’ve only used it for flanges on repair panels, and a few boxes. Supposed to be mounted to a bench, I bolted it to a bit of box section, chuck it in my big vice when I need it.

For boxes, I’ve found using angle to mount the end of the box makes something significantly stiff. At the same time much lighter, cheaper and less bulky than a square tube frame with a box inside.
Just spot/rosette weld it, fast, secure and easy. Or big rivets. If it needs to be waterproof, seam sealer, or silicone, though seam sealer over paints.
I’ve experimented with bead rolling stiffening ribs, works well but takes lots of practice and planning. Needs a helper as mine isn’t motorised (yet). Not a route I’d recommend you go down, it would significantly slow progress.

I’ll include some temporary rivet pin things I can’t remember the name of at the moment, went over completely to Cleco pins/clamps, faster, and they don’t melt if I forget to remove them .

 

[t-tony]

Sorry, didn’t make it home until late.

I’m sure it’s 30 inch, only supposed to take up to 1.2mm sheet but I’ve reinforced the bed with angle so it’ll likely do a bit more than that. Never tried really, I’ve only used it for flanges on repair panels, and a few boxes. Supposed to be mounted to a bench, I bolted it to a bit of box section, chuck it in my big vice when I need it.

For boxes, I’ve found using angle to mount the end of the box makes something significantly stiff. At the same time much lighter, cheaper and less bulky than a square tube frame with a box inside.
Just spot/rosette weld it, fast, secure and easy. Or big rivets. If it needs to be waterproof, seam sealer, or silicone, though seam sealer over paints.
I’ve experimented with bead rolling stiffening ribs, works well but takes lots of practice and planning. Needs a helper as mine isn’t motorised (yet). Not a route I’d recommend you go down, it would significantly slow progress.

I’ll include some temporary rivet pin things I can’t remember the name of at the moment, went over completely to Cleco pins/clamps, faster, and they don’t melt if I forget to remove them .

Are you thinking about "Rivnuts" by any chance?

Tony.

 

[IainP]

Not rivnuts Tony, it’s like a Cleco pin, sort of, for holding panels you want to rivet, or screw together. Stepped end, plastic spacer, knurled top you screw down to lock the end. They have a Name, and I can’t remember it as I haven’t used them in a decade. Tried Google and it just shows Cleco. It’s annoying me now!
I’ll take pics when I eventually make it home.

OOoh, Tom.
I like that scanner, I may order one of those, I have lots of uses at that price.

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

Not rivnuts Tony, it’s like a Cleco pin, sort of, for holding panels you want to rivet, or screw together. Stepped end, plastic spacer, knurled top you screw down to lock the end. They have a Name, and I can’t remember it as I haven’t used them in a decade. Tried Google and it just shows Cleco. It’s annoying me now!
I’ll take pics when I eventually make it home.

OOoh, Tom.
I like that scanner, I may order one of those, I have lots of uses at that price.

I hope it's as good as it looks. Likewise loads of uses, from making up unobtainable connectors, to laying out the engine bay, to designing motor mounts, to planning out rear lights. Should be here middle/end of March.

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

That proper update I promised. Not the tidiest engine removal, but it's out.

View: https://youtu.be/hmqQVduWWK8

 

[Althulas]

@IainP is what you meant? https://www.aptoolsltd.co.uk/produc...-fasteners-sel-skin-pins-screw-type-grip-0-1/

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

Belated sharing of a video I posted last week (there's another one over on the Z300 thread)

View: https://youtu.be/58Q1ZWfjlt8

 

[IainP]

@IainP is what you meant? https://www.aptoolsltd.co.uk/produc...-fasteners-sel-skin-pins-screw-type-grip-0-1/

Yes
Those are the things exactly.
Brilliant for anything that doesn’t need welding. Or at least someone who remembers they’re fitted and doesn’t try and weld next to them. So not Me.

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

Wow it's been a while since I've posted on this project. Finally getting moving on it again, after a lot of focus on the 300, my first EV swap. Check that thread for updates there.

So, big update is that I have decided not to try to save the first Z I bought for this project. It's technically doable but I can't find repair panels that cover the full sill, making them up would be a ballache, and I think I would always have concerns about strength and safety. For the amount it would cost to have it professionally repaired, it's just not worth it.

I was still undecided about this when a friend made the decision for me by putting up for sale his low mileage, Japanese import, garaged-most-of-its-life Z. A 97 1.9 auto in Montreal Blue. It appears to be clean as hell with not a spot of rust anywhere. Even has some MOT left and a fresh set of tyres.

So, plan is to get this into the garage and scrap the old one. Its doors will solve the problem with my knackered doors on the 300, and I will strip it for useful parts and repair panels before scrapping the rest. Not sure of the legalities on that so might need to find a friendly local scrappy - one that will pick up the remains. That or I'll take the plasma cutter/sawzall to it and take it to the scrappy in the boot of my wife's car.

Sad but necessary and it will ensure the long and happy life of the other two cars.

In the meantime, EV-swap god Damien Maguire has started playing with the drivetrain I intend to use, so hoping that will save me some work.

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

View: https://youtu.be/-RiCeNc3ERI

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

The new project car is so nice I decided to treat it to the full Dinitrol job - done professionally at Duke Street Garage in Rochdale. And bloody hell it looks good under there. Really impressed. See attachments.

Reminder: this is a 35k mile car, Japanese import, garaged most of its life.

 

[Althulas]

Not to shabby at all, one solid purchase there has definitely come early.

 

[Tom Cheesewright]

Not to shabby at all, one solid purchase there has definitely come early.

I am very pleased! Nice to have a solid one after two rotters.