Attention R owners - rear wing mounting, what was your solution?

[SixStar]

We have a plan, it's removable and maybe a tad more complicated than I'd like. The goal is for it to be able to support my body weight.

What has everyone else done?

[narkosys]

it may be for the GTM but Shane's wing mount (http://vraptorspeedworks.com/vrsw-new-steel-universal-wing-mount-system/) might give you ideas.

N

[D Clary]

That looks like a very heavy mount. I know it has to be strong, but if engineered right it might not have to weigh a ton. I think the ability to support your weight would be a sufficient test. Has anyone see what they did on the FFR model?

[Bob_n_Cincy]

this is the only picture I have of the wing mounting bracket.
Bob

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24709&d=1361674402

[narkosys]

That looks like a very heavy mount. I know it has to be strong, but if engineered right it might not have to weigh a ton. I think the ability to support your weight would be a sufficient test. Has anyone see what they did on the FFR model?

His original mount was all aluminium. He just changed some parts to steel to keep the price low and for ease of manufacture. Like I said, I posted the link to give the OP some ideas.

P

[D Clary]

The FFR mount looks much simpler, the photo looks like 3/4 square tubing. I don't have a chassis yet so I don't know the demensions. but apparently it has worked for them. I would think they could make some photos to make replicating it easier. On a side note, It is Christmas and I am worried about making something for a chassis that wont be here until September. I think Ill 'go eat dinner LOL

[Canadian818]

What did everyone get with their wing? Just the wing, or did it have the supports for above the deck lid?

[narkosys]

The FFr wing does not come with frame mounts. Only mounts from the wing to the deck of the car. Shane's mounts go from the wing, through the deck and attaches solidly to the chassis.

P

[SixStar]

That's the only picture I could find also. Same idea though, removeable for WHEN the tranny ****s out. Still leaves me room for the intercooler which is good. Time to mock some panels and weld on the frame some more.

[SixStar]

Looks like the wing is going on where we think is best and we'll just have to do our own wind tunnel testing in SLC this summer.

[RM1SepEx]

It really isn't much different with the "S" :eek: The manual is more of a guide, you meander around and do what you need to do.

[C.Plavan]

It really isn't much different with the "S" :eek: The manual is more of a guide, you meander around and do what you need to do.

We had to ask what to do with the R suspension. I had to make my own spacers (instead of their suggestion of stacked washers.....)

[GUNS]

Back to the wing mount, I'd be interested in a solution as well. I plan on adapting it to my S for track days and remove it for street driving. Some type of bracket that starts from the chassis and meets the wing mount at the rear deck lid with a quick release would be perfect.

[Mechie3]

I think the S is a little better supported because they've built more of them, shipped more of them, and it's more about performance and looks. A rough looking R can use the excuse "it's just a racecar".

While I don't know optimal position, a frame work that bolts to the outside of the rear lower frame and the removable cross brace is probably the best way to go. I don't see many other places to mount it.

[RM1SepEx]

I think the S is a little better supported because they've built more of them, shipped more of them, and it's more about performance and looks. A rough looking R can use the excuse "it's just a racecar".


Short memory? Remember how we felt last August, only 3 customer cars were before our builds... The "R" guys are just running into the same types of issues that we did... :)

the LCA issue, manual still has the wrong photos
the radiator too low, manual still has no ID or fix (are the new frames fixed?)
Brake lines, missing bolts, steering rack brackets, rack length
etc...

[SixStar]

I don't want to piss off FFR but I do want to help others. Would anyone be interested in a page by page manual supplement of the issues that I found while building the R? I've been taking notes as I go along and I KNOW they would be useful.

[Santiago]

Would anyone be interested in a page by page manual supplement of the issues that I found while building the R? I've been taking notes as I go along and I KNOW they would be useful.

Yes please.

[Mechie3]

Short memory? Remember how we felt last August, only 3 customer cars were before our builds... The "R" guys are just running into the same types of issues that we did... :)



I should say, better community support since there's much more trial and error complete. :)


I don't want to piss off FFR but I do want to help others. Would anyone be interested in a page by page manual supplement of the issues that I found while building the R? I've been taking notes as I go along and I KNOW they would be useful.

You should. A lot of us S buliders documented either in our threads or otherwise fixes required. Makes it easier for the next guy.

[C.Plavan]

If I were Dave- I would be dropping the hammer.
Its not like we have not been asking for fixes/updates or info from FFR since Aug.

I am really starting to believe they really do not care.

[Erik W. Treves]

"I am really starting to believe they really do not care." -

Chad I think you find that they do care if you call them. Email, does work from time to time, but calling is always best. It's a double edged sword IMO...the kit came out, the BETA builders were not done with the car (the S)...you can't believe the amount of changes that were made based on mine and Wayne's feedback...waiting list of over 1 year and only 1 to 2 kits going out per week...there were no R BETA builders. The hope from the customers as a whole was they wanted more kits produced per week to shorten lead times and get kits in people's hands...well they ramped up to 5 a week..don't forget this isn't the only kit they support... my expectations were, it's a new kit and there will be growing pains; couple that with a very quick ramp up to 5 kits a week...that's a lot of moving pieces!

I'm not trying to defend FFR, mostly because I don't think they need defending, and also not trying to be argumentative. I'm just saying we need to look at the expectations in a realist and historic way...If you look at their other kits at the same point from the day of launch...they are WAY ahead. We're only about 6 months or less from full-up production and over 100 kits out there and people still screaming for faster production.. "I hope they can increase production" (was written on another thread)...

Finally, I also wish the car was perfect in all areas of my concern right out of the box...it wasn't...but that's ok...my ECOBOOST F-150 isn't either...but I have and am having the most fun trying to figure out those issues on my own with the 818...I really needed a windshield wiper...still waiting for that...built my own...I want a top..soft or hard....still waiting...will probably build one (too darn cold now to even think about doing that!)... I don't know...I guess in the end it is expectation management and patients, we're less than a year from launch...it IS a lot of money and it's our money, so I can see your point totally...All I can promise you is that the first time you start it (first start), the first time you go-cart it, and the first time you hit the track.....none of this will matter cause you will be smiling from ear to ear....

[flynntuna]

I don't want to piss off FFR but I do want to help others. Would anyone be interested in a page by page manual supplement of the issues that I found while building the R? I've been taking notes as I go along and I KNOW they would be useful.

Isn't this what the build Wiki's are for? I may be wrong , but that's what I thought they were for.

[Canadian818]

Back to the wing mount, I'd be interested in a solution as well. I plan on adapting it to my S for track days and remove it for street driving. Some type of bracket that starts from the chassis and meets the wing mount at the rear deck lid with a quick release would be perfect.

I was considering this too, but after the wind tunnel testing I decided I didn't want to have to remove the splitter each time I removed the wing.

[C.Plavan]

I hear you Erik. I will try calling next time.

Email has been horrible. I am still waiting on a reply from two emails I sent 12/9. But since then, I have found the answer from two guys on the forum who had the similar problem. If it were not from the posts on the forum, it would be even more frustrating.

Here is a thought- Maybe they should slow down production, and fix the issues before send out more kits? Even better, acknowledge the problems and communicate them to builders. One email or post from FFR seems alot easier than 75 people asking the same question.

I admit I can fix the issues with the kit myself, better than FFR after seeing some of their solutions, that is not the problem. I'm always the person that sticks up for the little guy- Some people building these kits may not have the resources that you and I have. Communication goes a long way in my book.

I appreciate you and Wayne on this forum. Without you two, it would be Chaos....lol

[RM1SepEx]

Email has been horrible.

... acknowledge the problems and communicate them to builders. One email or post from FFR seems alot easier than 75 people asking the same question.

I admit I can fix the issues with the kit myself, better than FFR after seeing some of their solutions, that is not the problem. I'm always the person that sticks up for the little guy- Some people building these kits may not have the resources that you and I have. Communication goes a long way in my book.



Erik, you and Wayne have history and a relationship with FFR we do not. I don't feel as if they respond to us as they do to you. I always feel as if I'm being treated as a friend etc... but I am almost always unhappy with their answers.

Like Chad, I want better communication.

They absolutely need a PROACTIVE communication system. Getting answers after we struggle with a problem that you and Wayne already dealt with makes us go through un-needed frustration. Hearing that they appreciate my help over and over does absolutely nothing to help future builders or reduce my frustration.

Chad what is the serial # of your car?

As an example the radiator is too low, that had to be identified during prototype stage. It still exists for Chad's car, as it did on my S #17. Other than the forum how does a builder know about this? It requires some modifications, so why hasn't something been added to the build instructions or even better why hasn't the radiator support been fixed?

[C.Plavan]

I'm #44

[Canadian818]

Any builders making progress on this?

[C.Plavan]

Not yet. I have some ideas. It will be the last thing I do. I want to get it running and driving first. I know I will be welding something together.

[Bill Waters]

I have been giving this a lot of thought. In reading some the build threads, it seems that the trouble some have had in getting the body panels to mount properly with proper gaps, etc. might translate into inconsistency in the precise position of the rear deck height from mock-up to final mounting.

I will be using the included mounting plate on the wing mounting assembly and having it sit on a matching plate on the top of the frame mount which I will fabricate. I'm thinking it makes the most sense to have both of the mounting plates just under the rear deck so that the upright supporting the wing protrudes through the rear deck.

Do those of you who have more experience with the body mounting process have any comments about this?

Thanks

[Canadian818]

I wonder if we could incorporate the hood pins to where the wing mounts meet the fibreglass? if there's a flange there to support the wing anyway, why not just glass some small round stock or flat bar to the bottom of the hood to keep its shape and only mount it at the wing stays? Or forget hood pins and bolt it into threaded holes in the flange below. Just brainstorming.

[Bill Waters]

Back to the wing mount, I'd be interested in a solution as well. I plan on adapting it to my S for track days and remove it for street driving. Some type of bracket that starts from the chassis and meets the wing mount at the rear deck lid with a quick release would be perfect.


I'm thinking that, if the below-deck lid mounting plate junction idea works out, i'll just use weatherstripping to seal the area around the mount and behind the mount where the deck lid will have had a slit cut into it so the lid can be removed. See my earlier posts here for comments about the deck lid height from mock-up to final fitting being variable. Maybe I'm worried about nothing.

In the case of the S, there could be a removable piece of plastic which could be inserted when the wing is removed. There are enough of us working on this that we'll have solutions soon.

Bill

[tango68ss]

See Brando's solution, starting at post #471...http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12442-Brando-s-Newbie-818R-Build-Thread/page12

That is a sweet set-up!