12 replies to this topic

[Ade]

As title. May have the chance to get one but would like to know how much lighter than standard they are if at all?

I ask because I understand the Domino one is about the same weight? I need an anwser quick as the offer won't be there for long......

Ade

[Ade]

Not to worry I didn't get it anyway!

Ade

[Pavel]

Did you get the domino at least? ;p

[Ade]

No the Domino one aswell as being heavier than I'd like also has moulded arches which wouldn't fit with my plans.

So back to square one

Ade

[Turbo Phil]

As far as i know the Minus shell isn't really any lighter than a Mini shell. Granted it's fibreglass, but it has plenty of steel box section moulded into it to keep it stiff.

Phil. :grin:

[Pavel]

It is lighter, but by how much it's hard to say. About 50-70 kilos i think. Might be a bit more but I'm unsure. I know that two people can carry around a FRA fibreglass mini shell.

You might want to look into the FRA shells if you want fibreglass. Heard good things about them and the price is unbeatable!

[Woody]

Two poeple can carry a steel mini shell ( My 16 year old son and I)
I believe there is no weight advantage in a Domino shell over steel as the GRP has to be laid up thicker to get the strenth

[Ade]

I've heard that the Domino shell is about a 1/4 inch thick :saywhat:

Doesn't really save any weight at all over a steel one..

Ade

[Dan]

They aren't designed to save weight, they are designed to save rust. They aren't meant as outright race cars, they are road cars and need to be strong enough for everyday use and cheap enough to buy(like all car parts). As Woody says, the steel shell of a Mini is really very light, I would estimate around 150 - 200 Kilos having carried a few. If you wanted a truly lightweight composite monocoque shell you'd be talking pre-preg carbon/kevlar. You'd be able to lift it with one hand but you'd need a mortgage to buy it. Hundreds of thousands in tooling alone. That's why the fibre shells are all wet layup, and that's why they are heavy.
Minus's aren't faster because they're lighter, they're faster because they're about 5" lower and better aerodynamically. Have you thought about getting a real steel Minus shell? They really are light and they are still made by M-Machine I believe.

[bluebottle]

if you are not too fussed on it being mini shaped, but want lightweight, and mini running gear in a fibreglass shell , why not have a look around for a mini marcos or the rarer mini jem. these are considerably lighter than a mini, a lot pointier, and can be made to go very quickly in deed!

[clubman_dan]

i read somewhere that a mini marcos hit somthing like 140mph during a race, that is fast!
DAN

[bluebottle]

one was clocked at 141mph on the mulsanne straight during the 1969 le mans.
try getting a mini to do that with its shape!

[clubman_dan]

that was in 1969! imagine what speed one could get nowadays!
DAN