First Drive today

[San Diego GTR]

Well after some trouble getting the clutch adjusted properly, I drove the GTR for the first time today. Just up and down my residential street without the rear bonnet on. Wow, what a rush. I can't wait to get it on the road and really stretch its legs a bit. First observations: easier to steer than I imagined, Way more power than my Cobra or M3, the fuel pump is really loud, much more comfortable than I imagined, I thought it would ride harder and am very happy, lots of rock noises in the wheel wells. Oh did I say it was low. Feels like a go cart.

All smiles...

Paul

[Builder]

, , , , , !

[crafty]

Well done.... its a great feeling hey!!

[Steve_D]

Well done.
If you think it's powerful now then wait till you really open the taps.

If your situation is throwing stones in the wheel arches then you should be looking to add some sort of rubber coating to the underside of the arches otherwise you will develop star cracks in the FG.

Enjoy

Steve

[crafty]

I keep thinking of making alloy inner guards for mine - anyone done that?

[Steve_D]

In the UK we used to have a product called IIRC 'Rubberoid' which you painted on and it set like a sheet of rubber about the same hardness as innertube rubber. Sadly it has disappeared from the market.

I think ali guards would be an overkill and difficult to fabricate compared with just adding some form of padding to the arch itself.

I’m sure an equivalent to rubberoid must be out there somewhere. If anyone knows of a product then post it up because I for one want to apply it.

Steve

ETA Just found it and contacted the manufacturer. Will have to go buy myself some Ruberoid IKOpro Synthaprufe LAC and see if it is the same stuff.

Edited by Steve_D on Tuesday 19th February 10:29

[crafty]

I was thinking the alloy wheel wells would stop the small rockery that grows inside the battery compartment and along the edges under the fuses etc...

[San Diego GTR]

I'll probably resort to some bed liner material to cut down the rock noises. You have to be careful here though as they like to apply that stuff really thick (1/4&quot. I don't want that much material but will look into something about 1/8" thick.

Thanks guys,
Paul

[highflyer]

Congrads Paul, tell me did you do the mod I mentioned, with the hoses that run in the side pod ? regards Russell.

[Builder]

The auto parts stores sell a kit with a quart of bed liner (Herculiner). You can put it on as thick as you want. I used it on the fuel tanks. However, it's not what I would call pliable or shock absorbent. It’s very hard/tough stuff and may protect the GRP from staring, but I don’t think it would do much to cut down the noise.

Another option to consider is Plasti-Dip F-866. This stuff might be more like the Rubberoid that Steve mentioned above. It can be purchased at McMaster-Carr (with the recommended primer). It has a Shore-A of 70 and goes on with a brush in 7-10 mil coats. A “Shore-A” of 100 = 0.1” deflection. I think street tires have a Shore-A of ~60. Here’s the Plasti-Dip brochure on their retail product. Contact Plasti-Dip for distributor information about F-866.

Devcon Permatex makes a variety of materials for rubber linings. Their #15330 might be a good option. It has a Shore-A of 78 and goes on with a trowel.

Any lining of the fenders should protect them, but maybe someone can comment on the real source of the noise from road gravel. Does it come primarily from the fenders? Or, is it really from all of the bottom surfaces?