Bonnet hinge conversion

[cerberatony]

Nearly finished Alans hinge conversion and just put heat reflector on underside of bonnet.

[m4tti]

I'm not sure I'd reflect heat back down above the starter motor, alternator, injectors and throttle pots. It's difficult to know for sure, but that will reflect heat back down across the bay. I'd protect the vulnerable part of the bonnet over the exhaust manifolds but be cautious elsewhere.

[Night Rider]

^^ Agreed. You might find that the bonnet will touch the air box with the heat shield fitted that far across.

[m4tti]

Night Rider said:

^^ Agreed. You might find that the bonnet will touch the air box with the heat shield fitted that far across.

That's another good point. The clearance between air box and bonnet is minimal. Mine definitely has the rub marks on.

[BobE]

I'm also nearing completion of this modification on my car and I have used a 24" square piece of self adhesive gold foil material like this:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/heat-shie...
The material is centered over the exhaust manifold area but also extends over the cam cover etc. It's so thin there are no clearance issues and it gives the full bling/MacLaren F1 effect when the bonnet is opened. When I've completed the mod I'll post some pictures.

[TomokoGlennieSan]

Gents,
I paid visit to Allan last weekend to get the 'flip' done. I have to say, I was impressed with his attention to detail and enthusiasm.
A super chap who has come up with a well thought out and cost effective solution, while still using high quality components.
Cheers
TGS

[m4tti]

Can you get some pics up, a completely flat side on pic if possible. Id like to see how far this opens. I fancy doing mine over winter.

[TomokoGlennieSan]

Get some pics up tonight for you Matt
Cheers
Martin (TGS)

[m4tti]

Thanks Martin.

Curious to see it as my service bonnet seems to rub fairly hard (ie squeeks) against my number plate when its fully open.

[BobE]

I finished the main bonnet conversion on my car today. I'll also get some pictures up but my main comments as follows:
The kit has high quality parts and Allan is extremely helpful when you hit an issue. You need a helper when taking the bonnet on and off and a large table/area covered with a blanket or something similar to protect the bonnet whilst it's being worked - especially when it is upside down. Whilst it's not hugely difficult or technical you really do need to be a practical sort of person familiar with hand tools - pop-rivet gun, drill, angle grinder or Dremel and you are very likely to have some challenges on the way. These are not perfectly symmetrical cars built to tight tolerances so there is a degree of 'fettling' required - there certainly was on my car. You also need a 'brave pill' when it comes to cutting the front off the bonnet moulding...In the end you have a bonnet that can be opened and closed by one person which allows good access to the engine bay.

[TomokoGlennieSan]

[BobE]

Here are a few more including side views as requested:
From this:

Then with the front service bonnet open:

Then with the main bonnet open as well:

There is then very access to the under bonnet area:

And:

The only awkward problem I had on my car was that the two centre mounts/studs were a very tight fit even just normally lifting the bonnet off let alone having it swing through an arc onto the studs. Maybe the moulding has shrunk slightly over time or maybe it wasn't a good fit as installed by TVR. Either way on both sides I had to reposition the bonnet mounts with a stainless plate each side drilled 10mm diameter and held on by two M4 stainless screws/washers/nuts. There is a significant difference in their locations side to side but now the bonnet opens smoothly with no hang ups and the panel gaps are even:

[cerberatony]

here is mine

[cerberatony]

[x works]

Here's mine , with 3 gas struts. Takes about 6 hrs to complete with rose joints at the front .
I strengthend the front bonnet underside hinge area with fibreglass and re blacked
Stanley did the small bonnet.. Loral did the other .... Ha haaa

[x works]

[m4tti]

Has anybody doing these relieved material off the front edge of the service bonnet so both assemblies can open wider.

[TomokoGlennieSan]

M,
As you know, because if the 'unique' way TVR's were assembled, no 2 were the same. When Allan did mine, he did not have to take any material off the leading edge of the bonnet for it to fully flip open. However he did say that usually it is the case.
Martin

[m4tti]

Cool.. that makes more sense. Alternatively I could try and locate the worlds thinnest number plate

[MrChips]

Would someone mind measuring the length of the long metal stays used to hold the bonnet up? I did my own conversion ages ago and originally fitted some gras struts towards the front of the car but found that when the bonnet was very hot, it was tending to move a little too much as the strut was still putting some pressure on it. I prefer the static struts!

Presuming that I just need some ali tube and a die set to put some threads on the end. I may contact Alan just to see if he can sell me them on their own as it'll probably work out the same cost!