Turtle Mark III teaser

Tom W · Tom W's Garage

My Turtle is in the shop for winter surgery. While I bought the Turtle mk I four years ago, it was transformed to the current configuration (mk II) in the last 2 years. Now it's time for more fun.

My race class was created 2 years ago and only 2 of us have been racing regularly for that time. Last year a number of cars were built to run next year and more are coming this winter. I've been 350 lbs overweight (yep, a pig of a Turtle) and decided if I'm to be competitive next year the weight has to go. In addition the stock 5-speed gearbox was giving me fits (difficult to shift from 2nd to 3rd and crummy ratios compared to the competition). So, the only way to fix it is to have some more mods done (i.e, to throw money at it).

We're getting rid of the sun-roofed roof, removing the bolt-in cage that was welded in, removing the wiring and starting from close to a clean tub. I'm not having it dipped, it doesn't seem that the undercoating that would not be scrapped off is worth the price differential. I am having a G50/32 put in (it's in route from Germany now). A Fabcar shifter will replace the stock mechanism too. A new wiring harness will be put in and MoTeC data acquisition with a dash to replace the factory gauges. The side and rear windows will be replaced with Lexan (front was already done).

The target weight is 2100 lbs. We are starting at 2446 lbs. Today's box of stuff removed (90% wiring related) was 71 lbs.

I promise pics soon with more as it get put back together (yes, this post is simply a teaser 'cause we all know it's no good without pics). I forgot my camera tonight... but the folks at the shop took some, I just don't have them yet.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Very cool Tom - can't wait to see her in action!

Don

Tom W · Tom W's Garage

I can't wait either. With the weight reduction, I expect to see about 1 sec faster laps at Thunderhill or Infineon. I'm looking forward to breaking the 2:00 barrier at TH when going over the top (I did it using the bypass already).

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

You know the rules, where are the pics.

kurquhart · 01-09-2008, 07:55 AM

+1 on the G50/32. I have been doing a lot of research lately, and that seems to be the most cost effective solution to replace the 5 speed, even at $10k+.

Where's the rest of the weight going to come from? I am moving from 2600 to 2400 this winter; 2100 would be stellar!

Tom W · Tom W's Garage

Pics are unfortunately still in the camera.

2100 would be stellar - it's the target but I'm not too confident of our ability to get there, we might be 50ish pounds short of the goal. Main weight change should come from the wiring replacement, doors (have gutted factory doors now likely switch to fiberglass), roof replacement (sunroof for non-sunroof), side and rear glass to Lexan, scrape off the undercoating, remove all unnecessary sensors and junk from the stock configuration (I no longer have ABS so a lot of brake related stuff). My front trunk is already pretty bare, so not al lot left to be gained up there. The cage should be close to a wash - remove a heavy, thick bolt in with more tubing but better design and lighter weight. I've asked that the shop do weights of stuff as often as possible so we learn where the savings can be gained.

kurquhart · 01-09-2008, 11:06 AM

For the roof, are you welding on a non-sunroof (e.g. RSA) metal roof, or bonding on a plastic roof of some sort?

My roof is stock, but I have completely removed the sunroof and bolted in a fiberglass panel from Getty. This should be lighter than an all-metal roof, but not as stiff or safe (I am adding a roof net now).

I don't think I would miss my ABS much - it only kicks in when I have completely blown the corner anyways, but it probably saves flat spotting tires in that case.

Do you still have power steering? If not, do you miss it on the track? I used to do a lot of AX, but not anymore, so I think I could lose it without much impact.

With a lighter car, you might be able down-size your brakes, saving even more weight?

Good luck in your quest for 2100#! I am very interested in the final numbers.

Tom W · Tom W's Garage

The roof was "donated" by an earlier model 911. It will be welded in place after the cage is in (remove existing now so that the cage is easier to install and get the "new" roof ready to weld). I decided to stay with steel for the roof as I did not want to have to deal with arm restraints. With a fiberglass roof, arm restraints would have been required. I saw the new roof last night - prep was almost complete. The weight difference is something we will check when the old roof is removed (likely today).

I still have power steering and plan to keep it. With the 11" wide front tires, a manual rack would be a real muscle building experience. It would not be fun in an enduro.

While reducing the weight even more might allow smaller calipers, I'm not planning on it now.