Flappy Bonnet
Flappy Bonnet
Author
Discussion

slippery

Original Poster:

14,093 posts

269 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
While pressing on a little earlier on today, I noticed that my bonnet got rather flappy. I take it this is normal? I had a rather unfortunate episode with a 911 bonnet that wasn't secured properly a couple of decades ago, but they have the hinges at the bulkhead end as opposed to at the front and the memory has stayed with me!drivingyikes
smile

Harrytsg

1,264 posts

192 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
Mine got a little flappy recently, I replaced the knackered bit of pipe around the bonnet catch pin and that largely sorted it alongside adjusting the rollers mid wing.
Also fitted a splitter (missing for some time) and its improved no end (and handling at higher speeds).

Hinges can loosen up as well, or so I've read.

Edited by Harrytsg on Thursday 15th August 18:57

JFReturns

3,829 posts

201 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
Maybe the bonnet catch needs adjusting? It can be tightened up... don't ask me how, I just watched Dan at Taylor TVR do it in less than a minute with a socket biggrin

fatboychim

979 posts

281 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
If its the near side rear edge it is pretty normal, it can be greatly reduce by fitting (replacing actually) the front splitter underneath the front of car.
Other things such as bonnet adjustment etc can also help, quite a few people have gone for bonnet pins which apparently work well.
My friend used to reckon he could check my oil level while riding shotgun at speed until I fitted my high tech splitter

peaktorque

1,807 posts

241 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
I fitted the missing spoiler to mine and it made absolutely no difference to my bonnet lifting troubles.

It needs a catch on both sides, something I intend to resolve once I've fitted my de-catted Y-piece (priorities first wink )

fatboychim

979 posts

281 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
peaktorque said:
I fitted the missing spoiler to mine and it made absolutely no difference to my bonnet lifting troubles.

It needs a catch on both sides, something I intend to resolve once I've fitted my de-catted Y-piece (priorities first wink )
Ah but did you fit the expensive upgraded spoiler


haircutmike said:
Several people have made theirs out of cheap PVC gutter.

Mine's been on for a least 18 months.



peaktorque

1,807 posts

241 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
fatboychim said:
No - cheap and nasty PVC gutter.

I still don't like the one bonnet catch regardless.

fatboychim

979 posts

281 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
peaktorque said:
No - cheap and nasty PVC gutter.

I still don't like the one bonnet catch regardless.
That's odd it made a real difference to mine, I mean its not perfect still and bonnet pins or another catch would do the job properly.
The spoiler made no significant improvement to the handling though.

Richard 858

1,882 posts

165 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
I had the same problem, adjusted the side rollers first - didn't help much, then fitted the ACT front spiltter (less than £20) and this significantly improved things - no noticeable lift below around 120 mph then some wobble at 130-135 mph (trackday of course !).

QBee

22,492 posts

174 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
Tightened the bonnet catch, fitted the missing splitter using sheet steel - no flexing at speed. My bonnet used to shake violently at speed, and once came open at 135 mph. Did a track day yesterday at speeds up to 115 mph. No flapping whatsoever.

jojackson4

3,049 posts

167 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
Or

slippery

Original Poster:

14,093 posts

269 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
Thanks guys, sounds like it can be addressed or at least significantly imroved. In the meantime, I'll try and stay below 120! hehe

seeby

1,807 posts

200 months

Thursday 15th August 2013
quotequote all
slippery said:
, I'll try and stay below 120! hehe
Havent got into fifth yet then ?biggrin

slippery

Original Poster:

14,093 posts

269 months

Friday 16th August 2013
quotequote all
seeby said:
avent got into fifth yet then ?biggrin
Once you're at about 80, there doesn't seem to be a lot to be gained by changing down from fifth actually. It's pretty hilarious. smile

QBee

22,492 posts

174 months

Friday 16th August 2013
quotequote all
The front splitter is a good investment, but first check yours is missing. It was standard factory fit on all Chims, but 90% got wiped off!

It is a metal strip, sticking down about an inch, forward facing, under the front of the car,, and about a foot from the front.

You can buy good metal replacements for about £40 from TVR Power. Or a cheaper solution elsewhere which tends to be plastic. I got one made out of sheet steel, 900mm long and 75mm wide, with a 45 degree angle running the length of the strip, about half way across, so that 37 mm sticks half downwards and 37 mm is used to attach it with screws to the underside of the car.

The splitter creates a bit of a vacuum under the car, which sucks more air through the engine compartment, helps with cooling and front end handling, and also seems to suck the bonnet down.

My bonnet was flapping appallingly last year, and popped open at 135 mph. I think my TVR guy tightened the bonnet catch, but the splitter made a big difference. I have had the car well over 150 mph this year with no flap.

jamienshelly

1,826 posts

168 months

Friday 16th August 2013
quotequote all
My bonnet used to flap and rattle and I found this was because it was not sitting on the rear rubber feet, I found some old rubber bushes and cut them down gradually until the bonnet was snug then secured them. The bonnet no longer rattles and flaps and it sits flush with the wings aswell which is a bonus.
What are the measurements of the front splitter as I believe you gain a bit more stability when pressing on and what is the best thing to make them from?, plastic, steel, aluminium or make a mould and make a fibre glass one
cheers, Jamie

edo

16,699 posts

295 months

Friday 16th August 2013
quotequote all
slippery said:
Thanks guys, sounds like it can be addressed or at least significantly imroved. In the meantime, I'll try and stay below 120! hehe
Glad you are having fun hehe

WOO5IE

966 posts

227 months

Friday 16th August 2013
quotequote all
[quote=Richard 858]I had the same problem, adjusted the side rollers first -

I adjusted these and it totally cured my problem and I do not have a splitter fitted

I didnt test upto 130 leptons though wink

slippery

Original Poster:

14,093 posts

269 months

Friday 16th August 2013
quotequote all
edo said:
slippery said:
Thanks guys, sounds like it can be addressed or at least significantly imroved. In the meantime, I'll try and stay below 120! hehe
Glad you are having fun hehe
Still can't get my bloody ipod to work though! I'm such a retard! banghead
laugh

QBee

22,492 posts

174 months

Friday 16th August 2013
quotequote all
slippery said:
Still can't get my bloody ipod to work though! I'm such a retard! banghead
laugh
Involve a teenager.....they can usually sort that kind of thing.