Been having a think about turbo access recently, and has anyone considered installing access panels in the inner arches, so if you need access to that area, the engine doesn need dropped out :smash:

 

If i had a decent enough space to work in, i would give this a go.

 

Just curious if anyone has thought about/ tried this before ?

you mean like a cat flap?

not quite :nono:

 

Ive fitted alot of acces panels to things like lear jets and A380s, and now will be doing it to EH101 choppers, the panel will be bolted in place, so rigidity will be retained, but can be removed when need be for access :smash:

Sounds like a good idea, unfortunately theres no way of doing it without ending up with an MOT failure next test.

Sounds like a good idea, unfortunately theres no way of doing it without ending up with an MOT failure next test.

why ?

Just because :) !

 

 

Any corrosion, damage or deliberate modification within 30cm of a prescribed area (ie. suspension, steering, brake mounting point) that is considered to weaken the vehicle structure is a fail item.

 

That includes a hole caused by rust or as you suggest cutting a hole in the panel.

 

To repair a panel that is holed it would need to be seam welded, unless the section you are replacing has been spot welded then that is considered acceptable. In general if it is a patch repair it will require to be seam welded. if you are replacing a full panel spot welding or a combination or both is acceptable.

 

Bolting or riveting panels are not methods normally considerded acceptable unless the vehicle has been manufactured by that process.

my engines been out so much i`m thinking on doing a quick release and a bungee rope on it ..

im pretty sure it wont weaken it, if its good enough for jets and army choppers, pretty sure it can handle that. :smash:

 

It would take some research to se if it would pass, but considering kit cars are mostly bolted together, im sure there is a way round it.

Nope Its a fail bud, if the tester actually notices it that is

Its a fail if it weakens the structure, they way an aircraft access panel is designed retain, if not imroves upon, original strength.

 

Il see if i can find any mot testers near here i can talk to :smash:

 

If so il make them up for people :duffer:

my engines been out so much i`m thinking on doing a quick release and a bungee rope on it ..

 

:rofl:

I cant see the point personally, plus I think the chassis leg rails is in the way anyway.

 

Turbo replacement isn't a frequent event, once replaced you should be good for another 80-120k miles.....which is another 15-20 years with average zed mileage.

 

Plus it would'nt make turbo replacement a significantly quicker event anyway. Even if the chassis frame rail is not in the way and you have a decent access panel you would still have to remove wheels, brakes, hubs and suspension arms to get to it, whereas an engine can be pulled in a few hours anyway.

Edited February 15, 200916 yr by Yowser

Il see if i can find any mot testers near here i can talk to

 

:rofl::rofl:

 

Ok speak to some testers, but If they tell you its ok and will pass, let me know :)

:rofl::rofl:

 

Ok speak to some testers, but If they tell you its ok and will pass, let me know :)

 

:x: you'll have their ass for tea! ;)

It wasnt necessarily for replacement, just access incase something down that area needing tweaking or checking.

 

yeah if the MOT tester says it will pass, il let you know :hyper:

There is'nt any need for an access panel to gain access to the turbo area. Everything can be reached from above or below.

 

Turbo's can even be removed without engine removal, its just easier to pull the engine.

yeah if the MOT tester says it will pass, il let you know :hyper:

 

That'll be one less MOT tester in the world :x: :rofl:

as i said, it was just a though, aything to make everyones life a little easier.

Id rather come up with an idea and be ridiculed, than have an idea that could work, and not mention it for fear of having the piss taken :p

you'll have their ass for tea!

 

;).....did you ever put that application in?

;).....did you ever put that application in?

 

I did..... :( - but I aint giving up! ;) Eyes peeled and will go again and again! Till then, I'm sticking with them and gaining more knowledge!! and :eek: You guys are skinning us alive in wales... :cry: We're doomed !!! :(

as i said, it was just a though, aything to make everyones life a little easier.

Id rather come up with an idea and be ridiculed, than have an idea that could work, and not mention it for fear of having the piss taken

 

Thats ok, in theory it is a good idea, it would have to be done to a high standard to retain the chassis strenght though and that would be nigh on impossible for a MOT tester to determine so its just not accepted.

did..... - but I aint giving up! Eyes peeled and will go again and again! Till then, I'm sticking with them and gaining more knowledge!! and You guys are skinning us alive in wales... We're doomed !!!

 

:( thought youd have been a dead cert given your experience.....

 

and hmmm might have to send the team out up here if your lot are that bad in Wales :D

i know the sort of panels you mean... stress panels, bit like aircraft fuel tank panels or a 737 nlg bay access panels. the area would have to be beefed up with some sort of waffle plate doubler type assembly and you could use your very own NAS bolts ;)

 

the idea is good but maybe not a practical application for the majority. as legrath said it is easier to remove the engine then remove the tubs with it in situ... however, ultimately this mod would make removing the tubs with the engine in situ easier and requires less specialist equipment and workspace.

 

as far as an mot is concerned surely you could get it structurally surveyed in the same way you would a kit car? maybe it will also be classed by the dvla as a kit car so your insurance premium will be lowered ;)

Exactly mate, a doubler skin welded to the inner section then the outer setion bolted to that using anchor nuts and set screws :smash:

 

And you know yourself the strength those panels have, it would end up being the strongest part of the whole car :wack:

And you know yourself the strength those panels have, it would end up being the strongest part of the whole car :wack:

 

which wouldnt necessarily be a good thing... be too rigid :p stress cracks n all! you'd have to use steel too, you work much with steel?

no i work with T6 mate most of the time, some CF panels and the likes.

 

I have done some stell work in my own personal projects though.

 

 

And as for the stress crack, i dont think that would be too much of a prob mate, you have all that junk in the front to take the whack for you :rofl: