Creating UBERCLAM! Was "Repairing the clam" - Page 7 - LotusTalk

Randy Chase · 03-30-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulmn

Since your outfitting the SLR w/camera, are they going to share footage with you? It be cool to post a few of the clips from that.

soulman

I think they will. He seems like a really nice guy.

ekological · 03-30-2006, 06:19 PM

Hey Randy, you want a HID kit to throw in there while you have the clam off?

Randy Chase · 03-30-2006, 06:22 PM

ekological, you have mail! Thanks!

Car cleaned up a little and the clam VERY loosely test fit.

Genjuro · 04-04-2006, 09:48 AM

how's the uberclam going? get it painted yet?

Iceman- · 04-04-2006, 11:39 AM

I'm interested to know if the B106 Saffron Yellow paint will match the rest of your clam well.

Stan · 04-04-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman-

I'm interested to know if the B106 Saffron Yellow paint will match the rest of your clam well.

I think SY likes to have a white base under it in order to reach the correct shade. Prolly some other tricks too.

Randy Chase · 04-04-2006, 11:46 AM

Work is continuing as of this morning. We (I use the "we" term loosely) have been sanding and laying more layers of glass. The glass-resin includes Saffron Yellow die to make it roughly match, and also that small scrapes/chips will be the same color as the outside.

We found last year that buying B106 from a paint was not very close to the color of the car. I intend on having it paint matched at a shop instead. That was on a white base also. Did not matter.

JnC · 04-04-2006, 11:51 AM

Randy, what are your thoughts about reinforcing a new clam? Would foam still be required, or could laying carbon fiber/resin strips inside of it do the trick?

I'm looking at this, wondering if the OEM clam can be toughened up before the inevitable.

Steve W · 04-04-2006, 01:06 PM

Kiddies, Don't try and make the Uberclam at home. The people in this stunt are professionals. Sort of.

Instead, take your car to Specialty Car Craft. My clam was fixed in 4 days, and if it wasnt for the new star shield being not as yellow as the old star shield, it would be impossible to tell it had been repaired. I am seriously impressed.

JnC · 04-04-2006, 01:32 PM

Cutting holes and filling them requires pros. I'm hoping a novice can pour or ply into an intact clam. I'm not looking to remove bits from or reshape the clam but curious about strengthening it.

Randy Chase · 04-04-2006, 01:34 PM

Actually I think doing the interior reinforcement is something anyone can do. Not the outside stuff, that requires expertise and a trained hand.

My original plan was to reinforce with the strips and resin and I still think that would be the easiest and also a very effective method. I ended up with the foam method because I needed the mass inside to fill the empty spaces.

ekological · 04-05-2006, 05:02 PM

Did ya get the HID kit, Randy? Whaddya think?

Randy Chase · 04-05-2006, 06:11 PM

I did get it and I am installing it. Only slight rain delays here. The instructions from DarkSol are invaluable. I have the bulbs installed in the headlights and the wires through the grommets. Still need to mount the ballasts.

I am deep into wiring up the SPA gauge, clock, and more. Bringing in +12V from the battery and also +12V from switched ignition and using that for various things.

ekological · 04-05-2006, 06:53 PM

Great to hear it! Hum...are you talking about the instructions I wrote that Darksol is kind enough to host?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

I did get it and I am installing it. Only slight rain delays here. The instructions from DarkSol are invaluable. I have the bulbs installed in the headlights and the wires through the grommets. Still need to mount the ballasts.

Iceman- · 04-06-2006, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Work is continuing as of this morning. We (I use the "we" term loosely) have been sanding and laying more layers of glass. The glass-resin includes Saffron Yellow die to make it roughly match, and also that small scrapes/chips will be the same color as the outside.

We found last year that buying B106 from a paint was not very close to the color of the car. I intend on having it paint matched at a shop instead. That was on a white base also. Did not matter.

Simply for the fact that in the factory Lotus was wronged the code color!
They not used B106 but something similar.
I find big problems to repaint my car and now i'm whaiting for Lotus to tell me what color code i've to use!

Randy Chase · 04-06-2006, 11:20 PM

Thanks Iceman, that would explain why it was so different.

Today's update. I had to take time away from the car due to a family medical situation. But we were able to get some things done.

The track brace is now fully installed and toe roughly set.
Electrical wiring is complete for the new Stebel horn, HIDs from eckological, Lotus driving lights, ABS switch, clock, power rail (switched and non-switched). We have still yet to install the Moroso pan and the Spa gauges, plus a few other things.

Running the cable bundle through the existing grommet from under the fusebox in the front clam, to inside the cabin, was a major pain. But it is done.

The interior of the clam now has two layers of Carbon-Kevlar which is drying. We hope to have the bottom done in Carbon-Kevlar by morning. Then we will create a mold using wax and the expandable foam. The idea is to take a mold of the bottom of the clam, so we can recreate the clam using the mold. In other words, we can make splitters or whatever later.

Front of the clam needs another layer of glass and some more sanding, and then it is done. We intend on putting the clam back on the car late Friday. It will not be totally finished and certainly not yet painted.

Pics to follow tomorrow of the clam.

NtflBlueLiz · 04-07-2006, 04:01 AM

Randy, You are an insane SOB!
My wife thinks I do too much, have too many projects and try to get them done too quickly but you got me beat by a long shot! and you even find the time to take pictures of your projects and run these web boards!!!!
Keep up the good work!

Randy Chase · 04-08-2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NtflBlueLiz

Randy, You are an insane SOB!
My wife thinks I do too much, have too many projects and try to get them done too quickly but you got me beat by a long shot! and you even find the time to take pictures of your projects and run these web boards!!!!
Keep up the good work!

I don't really have the time. It is all a bit nuts. Working until past midnight. Setting the alarm for 5:00am.

Been a tougher week, wife shattered her wrist and spent the day in surgery. Then this morning my computer made some loud popping noises and smokes poured out of it. Not good. I think I need to make a karma list.

But, a lot of work got done today. We still have a ton to do though.

We laid a some sheets of the carbon-kevlar weave. Our hope is that will make the front clam very strong without adding weight. So far it looks like it is working. This is what the inside of the clam is having added on top of the foam. This is like a bullet proof surfboard.

We did a lot more sanding to shape the clam to make it perfectly flat across.

Yes, this pic looks horrible, it is the carbon-kevlar sheets being laid on what will be the bottom of the clam-

Beanie · 04-08-2006, 06:36 AM

"... 90 percent perspiration" -- Underestimation?

MickOpalak · 04-08-2006, 07:57 AM

What happen to your wife? That sounds horrible.

03-30-2006, 06:19 PM	#122 (permalink)
ekological Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,548 Images: 13	Hey Randy, you want a HID kit to throw in there while you have the clam off? __________________ Custom Plug-N-Play Elise HIDs, Arqray SS Double Tip Exhaust, RAC Monolites

03-30-2006, 06:22 PM	#123 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	ekological, you have mail! Thanks! Car cleaned up a little and the clam VERY loosely test fit. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

04-04-2006, 09:48 AM	#124 (permalink)
Genjuro On the other side. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: limbo Posts: 1,352	how's the uberclam going? get it painted yet? __________________ -- Find me in the fields of Elysium.

04-04-2006, 11:39 AM	#125 (permalink)
Iceman- Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ariccia Posts: 413	I'm interested to know if the B106 Saffron Yellow paint will match the rest of your clam well. __________________ WWW.111R.ORG www.domusaureare.it 2004 Lotus SY 111R Elise

04-04-2006, 11:46 AM	#127 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Work is continuing as of this morning. We (I use the "we" term loosely) have been sanding and laying more layers of glass. The glass-resin includes Saffron Yellow die to make it roughly match, and also that small scrapes/chips will be the same color as the outside. We found last year that buying B106 from a paint was not very close to the color of the car. I intend on having it paint matched at a shop instead. That was on a white base also. Did not matter. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

04-04-2006, 11:51 AM	#128 (permalink)
JnC Thread unraveler Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,887	Randy, what are your thoughts about reinforcing a new clam? Would foam still be required, or could laying carbon fiber/resin strips inside of it do the trick? I'm looking at this, wondering if the OEM clam can be toughened up before the inevitable. __________________ 2007 Cross Country Travelblog 06 Lotus Elise :: Chrome Orange :: Base :: Black Pack :: TC :: SS 00 VW Golf GLS TDI

04-04-2006, 01:06 PM	#129 (permalink)
Steve W \/ My Car! \/ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,147	Kiddies, Don't try and make the Uberclam at home. The people in this stunt are professionals. Sort of. Instead, take your car to Specialty Car Craft. My clam was fixed in 4 days, and if it wasnt for the new star shield being not as yellow as the old star shield, it would be impossible to tell it had been repaired. I am seriously impressed. __________________ B Team Driver driver.

04-04-2006, 01:32 PM	#130 (permalink)
JnC Thread unraveler Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,887	Cutting holes and filling them requires pros. I'm hoping a novice can pour or ply into an intact clam. I'm not looking to remove bits from or reshape the clam but curious about strengthening it. __________________ 2007 Cross Country Travelblog 06 Lotus Elise :: Chrome Orange :: Base :: Black Pack :: TC :: SS 00 VW Golf GLS TDI

04-04-2006, 01:34 PM	#131 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Actually I think doing the interior reinforcement is something anyone can do. Not the outside stuff, that requires expertise and a trained hand. My original plan was to reinforce with the strips and resin and I still think that would be the easiest and also a very effective method. I ended up with the foam method because I needed the mass inside to fill the empty spaces. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

04-05-2006, 05:02 PM	#132 (permalink)
ekological Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,548 Images: 13	Did ya get the HID kit, Randy? Whaddya think? __________________ Custom Plug-N-Play Elise HIDs, Arqray SS Double Tip Exhaust, RAC Monolites

04-05-2006, 06:11 PM	#133 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	I did get it and I am installing it. Only slight rain delays here. The instructions from DarkSol are invaluable. I have the bulbs installed in the headlights and the wires through the grommets. Still need to mount the ballasts. I am deep into wiring up the SPA gauge, clock, and more. Bringing in +12V from the battery and also +12V from switched ignition and using that for various things. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

04-06-2006, 11:20 PM	#136 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Thanks Iceman, that would explain why it was so different. Today's update. I had to take time away from the car due to a family medical situation. But we were able to get some things done. The track brace is now fully installed and toe roughly set. Electrical wiring is complete for the new Stebel horn, HIDs from eckological, Lotus driving lights, ABS switch, clock, power rail (switched and non-switched). We have still yet to install the Moroso pan and the Spa gauges, plus a few other things. Running the cable bundle through the existing grommet from under the fusebox in the front clam, to inside the cabin, was a major pain. But it is done. The interior of the clam now has two layers of Carbon-Kevlar which is drying. We hope to have the bottom done in Carbon-Kevlar by morning. Then we will create a mold using wax and the expandable foam. The idea is to take a mold of the bottom of the clam, so we can recreate the clam using the mold. In other words, we can make splitters or whatever later. Front of the clam needs another layer of glass and some more sanding, and then it is done. We intend on putting the clam back on the car late Friday. It will not be totally finished and certainly not yet painted. Pics to follow tomorrow of the clam. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

04-07-2006, 04:01 AM	#137 (permalink)
NtflBlueLiz Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,198	Randy, You are an insane SOB! My wife thinks I do too much, have too many projects and try to get them done too quickly but you got me beat by a long shot! and you even find the time to take pictures of your projects and run these web boards!!!! Keep up the good work! __________________ 2005 Nightfall Blue

04-08-2006, 06:36 AM	#139 (permalink)
Beanie untitled Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,910	"... 90 percent perspiration" -- Underestimation? __________________ It is all about "Other".

04-08-2006, 07:57 AM	#140 (permalink)
MickOpalak Prez: The K.G.B. Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 5,305	What happen to your wife? That sounds horrible. __________________ 2007 Exige S265 - Krypton Green - Gotham 265 ECU - Volk TE37s - Toyo R888s - B&M Shifter - QuickSilver exhaust - stripes - harnesses - Pagid pads - Green air filter 2002 Jaguar XKR convertible 2000 BMW 528i President - Lotus Limited Southeast http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/LLSE/

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