Removing dash for track car
Discussion
My Mk2.5 is doing a great job so far in it's role as my track toy. I've had successful outings at Cadwell, Mallory and Silverstone as well as a not so successful trip to Bedford (damn cam position sensor).
At the latest event at Cadwell a fellow mk2.5 owner was there with a significantly stripped back car to the extent that the entire dash had been removed including heater matrix and all air bags. The instrument binnacle was Magyvered in place with zip ties.
It got me thinking. I've done a fair amount of stripping back on mine - no soft top, no carpets/panels from the seats back. But the dash, door cards and main carpets still remain in place.
The car is purely a track toy with no day to day responsibilities. So I'm toying with the idea of gone whole hog on mine and getting rid of all remaining trim and dash accoutrements. Has anyone done this and if so, any hints or tips? Especially when it comes to disarming the passenger airbag (I already negotiated the removal of the drivers to fit my new wheel). Also - any reason why this is a bad idea?
The car does need to remain road legal to drive to/from track.
At the latest event at Cadwell a fellow mk2.5 owner was there with a significantly stripped back car to the extent that the entire dash had been removed including heater matrix and all air bags. The instrument binnacle was Magyvered in place with zip ties.
It got me thinking. I've done a fair amount of stripping back on mine - no soft top, no carpets/panels from the seats back. But the dash, door cards and main carpets still remain in place.
The car is purely a track toy with no day to day responsibilities. So I'm toying with the idea of gone whole hog on mine and getting rid of all remaining trim and dash accoutrements. Has anyone done this and if so, any hints or tips? Especially when it comes to disarming the passenger airbag (I already negotiated the removal of the drivers to fit my new wheel). Also - any reason why this is a bad idea?
The car does need to remain road legal to drive to/from track.
Fair points on both the demisting and the note on perhaps taking it too far.
Personally I believe I am a driving God, but then don't we all!
I think it is perhaps a case of idle hands and trying to do something on the cheap and putting off the inevitable forced induction upgrade that is lurking around the corner....
Personally I believe I am a driving God, but then don't we all!
I think it is perhaps a case of idle hands and trying to do something on the cheap and putting off the inevitable forced induction upgrade that is lurking around the corner....
Yes - the boot is completely stripped and the spare wheel is only in there on the way to/from the track but comes out for laps. Door cards still on, but are on the list for looking at. Not sure how well plastic windows will work on frameless doors - do they still keep a good seal?
People are right though - I think I have made the biggest/easiest changes and everything from now on in is going to have minor if any impact on weight but greater impact on practicality and comfort.
People are right though - I think I have made the biggest/easiest changes and everything from now on in is going to have minor if any impact on weight but greater impact on practicality and comfort.
Not sure about removing structure from the doors - that's what'll stop someone/something from joining me in the drivers seat in case of a side collision.
Soft top and frame already long gone as are standard seats - replaced with a pair of Cobra Monaco Pro's - could go lighter with composites I guess.
Soft top and frame already long gone as are standard seats - replaced with a pair of Cobra Monaco Pro's - could go lighter with composites I guess.
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