Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Sideways on 21 August 2006, 14:57:29

Title: Interior Demolition
Post by: Sideways on 21 August 2006, 14:57:29
Hi guys

This is my first post (on nay forum) so please be gentle.

I am gutting my Elite to prepare it for going very quickly round corners and am contemplating taking out the rear metallic sub frame that makes the parcel shelf and the seat backs and also the large metal structure that sits between the dash and the bulk head.

Any ideas on the implications of structural integrity of the car re chassis stiffness that removing these would have and what effect cross bracing these might have if they were removed.

The rear sub frame is just a case of going mental with an angle grinder but the front metalwork is removable. It looks as though it can be unbolted with to nuts circa 22mm that are located in a hole with an opening perpendicular to the angle of the bolt. This means that you only have a few degrees of movement with a spanner and the length of the hole will not allow a ratchet even with a bendable union.

Any ideas on how it is removed. Also, I have taken the air circulation system off and the heater matrix but am baffled as to how I get the air con matrix out as I can't see any form of connection.

Well that's it (for now).

Any help is much appreciated.
Title: Re: Interior Demolition
Post by: tunnie on 21 August 2006, 15:05:26
i would't remove the rear metal shelf which forms the parcel shelf, thats one of the main structual points in the car!

It would have a strong impact on handling too.

I'd leave it in, there is not much weight in that bit, so it best left in there.

Try and get it on some scales when your done, see how thin you can get it, Omega's standard weight is around 1.7 Ton
Title: Re: Interior Demolition
Post by: Sideways on 21 August 2006, 15:13:33
Thanks for the note. I was thinking about cross bracing anything I remove, though it might just be more trouble than it's worth.

I had it weighed when I set up my accelerometer and it was about 1650. I'd love to get sub 1000 but I suspect 1300 is probably a little realistic.
Title: Re: Interior Demolition
Post by: mar892ree on 21 August 2006, 15:17:27
Is the car going to be for street use !!! I'd think of insurance implications if it is !
Alteration of the structural/chassis arrangement would involve an engineers certifcate to make insurance valid !

If its for track use, slightly different rules apply, but again structural integrity WILL be an issue !

Alter the car in any way, structurally , you can be assured of kissing your back side good bye if you have a smack !

Mark
Title: Re: Interior Demolition
Post by: Sideways on 21 August 2006, 15:22:10
Very true.

Think I'll leave as is.

Shame, I was looking forward to hacking away some metal.