Coal boy Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 I am looking potentially at new front and rear wings as part of my tr250 rebuild. Wondered at pros and cons of aluminium panels given they are same price as new steel and don't rust. Anyone offer any experience or thoughts Regards Nige Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Millward Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 The weight saving would be advantageous, where are you buying them from Nige? Cheers Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Coal boy Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Hi Tony Was looking at Rimmerbros and pricing wise there is not much difference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
had17462 Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Hi a friend of mine fitted these on a 4 last year ,they did need a bit of work to get a decent fit, they came with the project so dont know who supplied them,but most panels need some degree of work as im about to find out this week. regards nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 The problem is as stated they need quite a bit of skilled work to get them to fit and they arent the easiest to live with dent wise Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 ...and you will need wheel arch liners as well to reduce stone damage. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Coal boy Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Hi Tony Was looking at Rimmerbros and pricing wise there is not much difference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Millward Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Hi Tony Was looking at Rimmerbros and pricing wise there is not much difference. Compared too??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I suggest lifting a steel example before deciding. They are quite light as is, and unless you're vying for every ounce saved in a high-stakes racing arena I don't think it's a good idea. Steel and aluminium aren't friendly to one another and mating them is asking for trouble over the long haul. I would at least gasket the mating surfaces and use stainless fasteners/ washers. Also, what Stuart said ( 1st ) about dent resistance. Where it makes sense is in the Surrey hardtop lid, weighing in at 1/2 that of the steel version and making for a snooze in fitting / removal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3md Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 TRGB were showing carbon fibre wings at Malvern last August - looked good, but obviously difficult to fettle, although they are apparently matched with original parts. Much lighter than steel, and probably aluminium as well. if it is good enough for F1, should be OK for a TR. Why not get in touch with them? Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Much lighter than steel, and probably aluminium as well. Some comparative actual weight figures would be illuminating Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red 6 Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 The problem would always appear to be the fit with repro wings in metal for the 4/5's. If you add the time it takes to fettle the wing, which from experience involves splitting the wing and welding in strips then grinding and shaping etc it is so much easier just to buy set from Walter Petchey as there is no substitue for fitting origional wings. Unless you want to race in a standard class for road cars which requires metal wings, and every Lb saved in weight is a tenth of a second per lap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlfredHitchcock Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I was discussing getting some aluminium door skins with a respected tr outfit at last years IWE. I was advised that unless I wanted to race (and save weight) not to fit them on a road car due to their vunerability to dings and knocks. Even the continuous opening and closing of the door will cause the handle to indent. Apparently the works TR4s had an internal skin around the handle for this very problem. I assume you would have a similar problem with the wings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 (edited) carbon fibre type materials can be up to 1/2 the weight of Ali alloy. So if weight is the problem then CF is a goer. But there are many problems !! CF is susceptible to impact damage. A small ding on a steel wing can be repaired very easily. With CF a small ding could make a large delamination on the unseen surface making repair quite fun. If you need to repair then what do you do!! A tube of Araldite would work but not very well. Drop a spanner on the top of a wing - what happens underneath. Thankfully wings/door skins aren't that important so if they are repaired badly then who cares. If you dont like/want steel then go for GRP - cheap and well proven. Roger Edited January 9, 2013 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Coal boy Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Just how easily do they dent was just thinking of no rust also do you need precautions for electrolytic corrosion? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Carbon fibre, unlike GRP, is electricaly conductive (not a lot, but enough) and will corrode other metals when in contact (I think Titanium is quite susceptable). So precautions need to be taken. As for how easy to dent - how long is a piece of string!! Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3md Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Roger, Where is the titanium on a TR? ;-) Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 My hip Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 I think there may be a problem with fatigue cracks in aluminium wings with bolt-holes all around them. This will take a while to happen so won't matter if you are not doing many miles. I used all original steel even though they needed a bit or repair. Did I get a perfect fit. Er no! But it is good. Al. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Coal boy Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Thanks Al, good to know may just stick with steel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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