Bodyshells

[Roger Racing]

What are the pros and cons of the different bodyshell manaufacturers?

Does the body style make any difference?

And Lexan v Polycarbonate?

[Sam_Crow]

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to bodyshells. Some like Protoform Speed 6 because it give a more balanced car. I like PF's LTCR, it gives the car more front grip. My personal favourite is Team-Titan Blitz S5 it has good front grip, more stable in the corners and seems to be more resilient. Hot Bodies shells don't last long before they slit. However its best to find one which you like most as it is you who will be driving it.

All the best Sam.

[julianb]

Hi Roger,

Try a few, see which you prefer. The Mazda Speed 6, LTCR and P37 all work well at Louth, the R9 less so. A well setup chassis is still of more importance, but the right shell for your driving style can add a little balance, as Sam points out.

In terms of resilience, there are a number of things you can do to ward off the inevitable splits and cracks. When trimming the shell out, score with a brand new scalpel blade, then bend and snap the excess off, rather than cut with scissors. When complete, sand the edges, starting with 600 wet and dry, and finish with successively finer grades. I find wrapping the abrasive around an aerosol canister produces nice round wheelarches.

When mounting the shell, try to place the front valance as close to, if not actually touching the foam bumper. The less the shell can deform, the less likely it is to split in or around the front arches.

As a third line of defence log onto Palmers Metals website and grab yourself a few tubes of E6000 - A good smear of this silicon based product around the wheelarches after the shell is painted and finished, will really help the shell to last, and when the inevitable cracks do start to appear, the silicon will hold things together really well.

Lexan & polycarbonate are one and the same, Lexan is a registered trademark for SABIC Innovative Plastics' (formerly General Electric Plastics) brand of polycarbonate resin thermoplastic.

As for painting, well, I think I could possibly help with that... ;-)


cheers

Ju

[Chris Lovely]

Hi Roger,
Like Sam and Julian have said its all down to personal preference.
The Speed 6 is an all round good shell to have, the majority of club members use it. I also like the Ltc-R, but at Louth the differences will feel minimal.
Matt Chandler has previously been using the Hpi/Hotbodies Subaru, and myself have been using it just recently. Its a bit cheaper then the Protoform Shells, and its not bad quality.

But at Louth I say its minimal as many change them week in week out.
I would say a Speed 6 is the standard choice, and then the Ltc-R

Chris