spacesaver for spyder zetec elan

Post by: **Spyder fan** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:24 pm

elj221c wrote:Alan,

'Tis very neat I must say.

At least you don't use the 'gunge'!

I just have a horror of the space saver......

Roy,
I haven't needed to use the "Gunge" thankfully, or the dreaded space saver in 6 years of owning the +2 zetec or 1 year of use of the Duratec S4 ( 3 years ownership, took 2 years to build!) punctures just seem to be a forgotten thing somehow these days. The last time I had one was with a Vauxhall Astra in the 1990's and they had an issue with the steel rims that was a known recall fault, causing them to use inner tubes to cure the problem.

Regards

Post by: **Stratosboy** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:55 pm

Thanks Alan,
Roy - I just want to keep as much space in the boot free - for Mrs Stratosboy's stuff when we go away on tour! - you should see how much stuff she needs!!! ???
also I'm having a larger fuel tank made up, which protudes a bit further into the boot space.
A full size 14" minilite with 185 size tyre will take up much more room than a spacesaver.
It's already a small boot, just need the space!

Post by: **elj221c** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:05 pm

You need to travel lighter!

Me, the Boss and the dear daughter (in a child's seat on the diff 'Y') travelled all over until the little'un was 3.

Boot:- spare, tools, jack, tank (obviously! In the normal position) fold up pushchair, skinny soft case and the rest behind the seats.

Post by: **Stratosboy** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:09 pm

elj221c wrote:You need to travel lighter!

ok I'll quote you Roy!! - I'll tell her this and see what she says....wish me luck.

Post by: **alexblack13** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:13 pm

I haven't needed to use the "Gunge" thankfully, or the dreaded space saver in 6 years of owning the +2 zetec or 1 year of use of the Duratec S4 ( 3 years ownership, took 2 years to build!) punctures just seem to be a forgotten thing somehow these days. The last time I had one was with a Vauxhall Astra in the 1990's and they had an issue with the steel rims that was a known recall fault, causing them to use inner tubes to cure the problem.

Regards[/quote]

Exactly why I dont carry a spare Alan... I dont think I have ever had a puncture on a car.

Your boot is very neat & tidy Alan.. I take it the petrol tank is now behind the (brought forward) backing board? How do you work out you have more space? Smaller tank? I would have thought the space would be very similar if not the same. St'd cars don't have the boot depth where the tank is but have more 'depth' with the backing board in the normal st'd position. How does your boot have more space? Is this a mod' we should know about?

Perhaps I am missing something? :roll:

I have the battery in the std position but with a cover...

Post by: **elj221c** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:14 pm

Stratosboy wrote:
elj221c wrote:You need to travel lighter!

ok I'll quote you Roy!!

Best not!

I've got me skates on already...... :wink:

Post by: **pereirac** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:17 pm

Very smart green Elan, but where is the fuel tank??

Post by: **Stratosboy** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:23 pm

pereirac wrote:Very smart green Elan, but where is the fuel tank??

in front of the backing board, sitting on the chassis/diff, between the rear turrets, safer place.

Post by: **alexblack13** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:38 pm

Stratosboy wrote:
pereirac wrote:Very smart green Elan, but where is the fuel tank??

in front of the backing board, sitting on the chassis/diff, between the rear turrets, safer place.

Hmmm.... I would not think there would be much difference safety wise at all. (JMHO) But the Elan was never a safe car and it still is not a safe car. I tend to drive it like I was on one of my bikes. VERY defensively.

Might have something to do with a friend being killed in his. He never stood a chance. The other chap with him has never been the same either. Very badly hurt.

Take care guys...

Alex...

Post by: **Stratosboy** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:50 pm

[quote Might have something to do with a friend being killed in his. He never stood a chance. The other chap with him has never been the same either. Very badly hurt.

Take care guys...

Alex...[/quote]

sorry to hear this Alex, I had a bad accident in my old S4 many years ago, so appreciate how fragile they are.
I'd like to think the tank is slightly more protected in between the rear pillars than normal place in the boot,
but as you wisely say.."take care guys"

Post by: **alexblack13** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:07 pm

Stratosboy wrote:[quote Might have something to do with a friend being killed in his. He never stood a chance. The other chap with him has never been the same either. Very badly hurt.

Take care guys...

Alex...

sorry to hear this Alex, I had a bad accident in my old S4 many years ago, so appreciate how fragile they are.
I'd like to think the tank is slightly more protected in between the rear pillars than normal place in the boot,
but as you wisely say.."take care guys"[/quote]

:-)

I take a lot more care these days... :roll:

The tank is probably a bit more protected. Swings and roundabouts?

Not sure.. Jury is out! :lol:

Al' ....

Post by: **Spyder fan** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 7:58 am

alexblack13 wrote:I haven't needed to use the "Gunge" thankfully, or the dreaded space saver in 6 years of owning the +2 zetec or 1 year of use of the Duratec S4 ( 3 years ownership, took 2 years to build!) punctures just seem to be a forgotten thing somehow these days. The last time I had one was with a Vauxhall Astra in the 1990's and they had an issue with the steel rims that was a known recall fault, causing them to use inner tubes to cure the problem.

Regards

St'd cars don't have the boot depth where the tank is but have more 'depth' with the backing board in the normal st'd position. How does your boot have more space? Is this a mod' we should know about?

Perhaps I am missing something? :roll:

quote]

Hi Alex,
I have full depth which allows a spacesaver wheel to go where the tank used to, the bootboard covers this and is a slightly lower height than standard, there is then the extra full depth well to the right hand side, even allowing for the 50mm lost for mounting the tank amidships between the turrets, there is much more volume and dare I say more useable space as items can be placed in the well and won't move about. I also keep essential tools in the dish of the spare and there is enough space there for a full touring emergency kit including scissor jack if need be. The other guys at the NEC were suffering from boot envy.

A heavy rear impact will burst the standard fuel tank; placing the tank where mine is makes the car marginally safer. I doubt that it would pass Euro NCAP 1 (the minimum) even with the Spyder roll cage and side impact beams, they are old and very dangerous cars by todays standards, but this doesn't mean that you can't at least try to improve your chances in a big accident.

Post by: **peterexpart** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:30 am

Alan
Just a small point, where is your Fuel Tank !!!!

Post by: **Spyder fan** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:40 am

Behind the seats in between the rear struts

Post by: **elj221c** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:23 am

Alan,

Is it a +2 tank or custom made?

I quite like the idea of doing mine that way.

When the car was last on the road I had a rather large battery in that space but the tank would be better there.

A chum of mine was side swiped behind the rear wheels a long time ago. The rear of the car from the diff back went spinning down the road complete with the tank, spilling fuel everywhere.

A new rear section, tank and battery and he was good to go....

He was very lucky!

spacesaver for spyder zetec elan

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