Assuaging My Aluminum Envy

[dkjos]

I am feeling way behind the curve here since my car doesn't have an aluminum body, so yesterday while enjoying the Raiders game I finished up the aluminum driver's side dropped floorpan(picture in the gallery). Sure would have been a lot easier to use the Midstates 4" fiberglass drops, but they would interfere with the exhaust system.

I'll probably have to leave a loose flap of carpet on the floor just so I can look at it once in a while!

[Edley Rondinone]

Insulate the carpet flap. You dont need any more heat in these cars than what you already have!

[rbray]

Nice work!

[Excaliber]

Insulate it? Oh man, then how can pull up the carpet and LOOK at it and show it off?

Ernie

[decooney]

dkjos,

think not to be so hard on yourself to keep up with the body curve. To assuage my aluminum envy, like you, I spent a fraction of time and money on some lighter internal parts, and brought the cars weight down. We are not talking much of a difference in weight anyhow if you look at the actual figures. With a well made fiberglass Cobra body, you don't have to worry about leaning over your fender just to work on your motor... or freaks leaning up against your car when your aren't looking. You get to drive your car with no worries of dings/waves/dents from dense wind. Seriously, IMHO, a good fiberglass car with aluminum internal bit/pieces is the way to go, better from a technology standpoint, and much less hassle if function and usability is your goal...just ask any Cobra body/painter or any aluminum body Cobra owner who actually drives their car. Most of the aluminum body street cars sit with low mileage for a reason. Not being able to drive your Cobra due to these worries is something I don't envy. Nice work on the pan!

[Mark Roe]

My aluminum bodied car has seen 3000+ miles in the last (and first of it's life) three months. Sit in the garage!! These cars were made for enjoyment--my trip to Safeway takes me an hour .
I've driven it in the rain--fog--no snow (ok DC guys--you have me beat)--they are to be driven!!

A garage car!?--Nice, but with that much enjoyment sitting that close to you, how can you just let it sit--maybe that comes later, but I don't think soooooo...........

[dkjos]

The "aluminum envy" was tongue in cheek. I love the alloy bodied cars, but I can guarantee I'd immediately trip over my own feet while walking through the garage and drop the grocery bag on a fender. Those aluminum bits aren't going to make much weight difference on my Midstates. Last fall at the Minnesota gathering Mike put three or four of them on his scales and 2700# was the lightest I recall.

I am planning on insulating the pans as well as putting an aluminum heat shield below them since the exhaust pipes will run directly underneath. Now let's see...glue the insulation to the carpet.....snaps to hold the "flap" of carpet and insulation in place......

[got snake?]

he put 3-4 midstates on his scale and the lightest was 2700? What engines where in them?

GS

[dkjos]

My recollection is that the lightest one had a 351W(and a hardtop), the others included an FE, a 460, and a big block Chevy.

[got snake?]

I will be getting a Midstates and thats why I asked. I LOVE THAT BODY!!!! Their body is a daily driver body. How much longer for the build? I probably will be gettting a roller from them...

GS

[dkjos]

My plan is to have it driveable by the end of May (although it may not be painted by then) so I can drive to DVSFIII.

You won't be disappointed dealing with Midstates. It's a terrific product and they're great people.

[Edley Rondinone]

Ernie, if Dkjos glues the insulation to the flap, he can have the best of both worlds!! Edley