I am modifying my car for hill climbing next year. My budget is being rapidly depleted with engine and gearbox builds and so am hoping to find some help with cheapish(??!!) parts to lighten the car. Does anyone have an early roof - the early roofs are apparently a lot lighter than the later roofs? Condition is no too important.
I will need a fiberglass engine cover as I need to modify it to accommodate an airbox for the twin 40s. Also interested in any other fiberglass items (rear boot, bonnet).
Any help would be appreciated. I hope to get the car to a standard to be competitive in the <1400cc class.
Thanks for reading - Martin
I bought Fiberglass panels bonnet and boot from CASCU for my hillclimb car. (bonnet panel is still too heavy but I failed to specify to them).
For engine cover i removed the inner skin.
Fair bit of weight can be taken out of doors if you remove winder mechanism etc aiming for just a skin and some glass.
Change radiator to aluminium or Sirocco unit.
Ditch big battery go for small gel cell.
Dash board weighs about 8kg if memory serves we correctly.
Add weight back in with good cage.
Fiat x1/9 hillclimb car (competition modded)
Fiat X1/9 road car (basically standard)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Cloverleaf
Porsche 911 (996)
Thanks Gordon.I will have to decide on which air box I am going to use and see if removing the inner will give enough clearance. I will make sure to check the weight of any fg panels! I have an OMP cage ready to fit and will look at all possibilities to remove any excess weight, thanks for the suggestions - perhaps some gym sessions will help!!
Removing dash was quite easy ( a 10mm spanner and the skin from you knuckles).
I retained the instrument binacle supported by a couple of fabricated brackets.
I did of course remove the heater matrix fan etc also.
You need to block off the air vent holes
I would send you some picks but car is with local rolling road just now having a DTA mappable ignition fitted for 2014
Fiat x1/9 hillclimb car (competition modded)
Fiat X1/9 road car (basically standard)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Cloverleaf
Porsche 911 (996)
Pete, the fusebox tray is supported by the steel frame of the dash so it's not affected by the dash removal. Same with the loom, it runs across the dash support frame. I would probably just tidy it up by covering it with convoluted plastic conduit.
It will be great to see another X19 in competition. One way to make lighter panels is to remove the strengthening ribs/second skin on the underside of a bonnet or boot, surprisingly light, cheap and usable, if a little wobbly. However ,regarding lightweight body panels and interior modifications be mindful of what class you are hoping to run in. For example in the road going classes you have to run with a largely standard interior body panels and silhouette, not so in modified but then you can be up against some big budgets.
I am aiming for the road going class so will be leaving the dash alone. Interesting idea about removing the ribs and second skin on the underside of the bonnet and boot, I will investigate this route. I hope I can get away with an airbox that is above the original engine cover line without infringing silhouette rules - what do you think?
Thanks for the feedback.
Another weight saving opportunity are chassis legs behind rear wheels (where 1500 bumpers are bolted). Triple skinned heavy steel. With careful cutting rear boot floor could be retained if rules require, Reduce boot floor to single skin also.
You will have to provide suitable towing eye if you remove both legs.
Fiat x1/9 hillclimb car (competition modded)
Fiat X1/9 road car (basically standard)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Cloverleaf
Porsche 911 (996)
Strictly speaking you would fall foul of the rules, but until you start winning people won't usually complain, however an eagle eyed scrutineer may bump you into the modified class. Same goes for such as door cards, carpets, tyres, etc. I'm probably going for this championship next year as I've had very good reports -
classic marques
You are right regards rules, It very much depends on the class as to whats allowed.
I run in a modified class these days.
However in my experience scrutineers sometimes don't even know what end of the car the engine is in never mind the finer points of detail on construction.
X1/9s are rare, unlike mx5s or Corsas and the like.
Fiat x1/9 hillclimb car (competition modded)
Fiat X1/9 road car (basically standard)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Cloverleaf
Porsche 911 (996)
CMSCC looks good - I think this might be for me as well. I assume they have the usual engine capacity classes (as my engine will be <1400cc) or is just on power and weight? They don't mention Fiat specifically as an eligible make but I assume that wont be a problem? Do you know if they separate the championship into sprint and hill climb or is it combined?
The hills and sprints are combined. Not sure about the engine size classes, I'm assuming that by using the very involved :S handicapping system they can keep it to one class and I've heard no complaints regarding the handicapping system as yet. Better to have competition in your class than none at all as has happened too often in the last couple of years with my present club (too many classes, too many venues, not enough competitors)
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Topic Author
what did you do with the fuse box and wiring loom? thanks pete 
