EP91 Starlet sump guards?

Not sure if this is the best place to post this..

We run a 98 Starlet in night navs and lanes rallies, think we are one of 2 northern based Starlets regularly running (big difference to the south where every other car is a Tote).

Anyway we're in need of a sump guard, we've got away with it up to now but the the QUB Summer Lanes left us with a golf ball sized dent (not sure how it didnt bust it) - I don't mind us making one ourselves but there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to rig one up. Our exhaust front section is a good 1" lower than the sump, and I don't want to have to start re-bending exhaust sections etc. Is everyone else just running with the guard that much lower than the sump?

If anyone else has a good sump guard on an EP82 or 91 (assume their identical), can you drop me a pm or post some pics? Think I remember a red roundy starlet similar to ours at the February ALMC enduro had one, but I never got a chance to corner the owner.

Anyway any advice would be appreciated...

Cheers
Kyle

Hi Kyle, This may help...

Sump Guard

Thanks for the photos Piers - is this on an EP82?

What material and thickness is that, looks like 6mm steel with a chequer or ribbed surface on the up facing side?

Am a bit conscious that given the sump guard is goin to sit a good bit lower than the sump its goin to take even more hits, and am worried that 6mm aluminium is goin to just puncture.

Any additional info much appreciated!!

EP91Navigator wrote:

Not sure if this is the best place to post this..

We run a 98 Starlet in night navs and lanes rallies, think we are one of 2 northern based Starlets regularly running (big difference to the south where every other car is a Tote).

Anyway we're in need of a sump guard, we've got away with it up to now but the the QUB Summer Lanes left us with a golf ball sized dent (not sure how it didnt bust it) - I don't mind us making one ourselves but there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to rig one up. Our exhaust front section is a good 1" lower than the sump, and I don't want to have to start re-bending exhaust sections etc. Is everyone else just running with the guard that much lower than the sump?

If anyone else has a good sump guard on an EP82 or 91 (assume their identical), can you drop me a pm or post some pics? Think I remember a red roundy starlet similar to ours at the February ALMC enduro had one, but I never got a chance to corner the owner.

Anyway any advice would be appreciated...

Cheers
Kyle

Kyle

Did you see this on here a fortnight ago ? He seems to have commissioned a minimum order.
http://www.tdcireland.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=606

Might be worth giving Damien a quick call anyway.

Tim

Hi Kyle, Those photos are of an EP70. Similar to an EP82/91. 6mm aluminium is ideal and very strong. That is thinner chequer plate aluminium in the photo just to give you an idea of how it fits.

Cheers for the info - am a bit wary tbh, the Engineering Division (the da) is of the opinion that the front cross member behind the bumper isn't substantial to mount anything to (if the sump gaurd took a big hit it might end up wrecking the cross member / bumper / twist the radiator etc), and we cant find a decent structural mounting point to the rear.

With the whole lot hanging so low on the EP91, one good thump on a rock and it could do more harm than good - and tbh 6mm aluminium (especially with no bracing) isn't going to hold up to much more than the sump itself. If it was cheap I could write t off as being effectively sacrificial - but they don't seem to be cheap...

6mm is Perfectly adequate thickness for the sump guard,
The front cross member is perfectly strong enough all you need is to have some bobbin mouths welded I to help spread the load. The rear of the sump guard fixes to the two lower chassis legs which are massively strong on a starlet and are more than man enough for the job.
There is no need to mount the guard low down, simply get you local exhaust person to remove 18-25 mm from the down tube from the cat to the first bend this is what all the Irish starlets have done. You will then be able to mount your sump gaurd directly to the front cross member and also the chassie legs use some M10 bolts and bobs you uncal.

_________________
Faster is better

Engineering division got something sorted, might post a couple of pics at some stage.

Piers - are those a rally marked tyre you have on on those photos, or would the like of those pass scrutiny at the ALMC Endurance? All we have at the minute is a (standard road tyre and I know it's killing us on these events.

Kyle, Those Gravel tyres are usually only allowed at Retro Trials/Rallies. Not allowed at MVAT's as they tear up the ground too much. Usually only road legal non M&S tyres allowed.