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Thread: Elbow Room

  1. #1
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    Elbow Room

    I'm looking for ideas for more elbow room. I previously owned a MK II with a mild 302 and hand over hand steering was not possible because my left arm was way over the door.

    I'm not terribly big, but, I am 6'0" and 230 LBS with wide shoulders. I love to drive the heck out of something, not just in a straight line. To be able to hand over hand steer a roadster, I estimate I need 5 to 6" more room.

    I'd definitely consider buying a body without the door panels cut out and stepping over the side, if I could shave enough off of the doors.
    I'd consider using an ecoboost 3.5 v-6 if I could shrink the trans tunnel and move the seat over.

    I'd really consider anything, if I could drive the car to it's potential, and have fun with it.

    Does anyone have ideas?

    Thanks in advance for your time!
    Jon

  2. #2
    Senior Member CDXXVII's Avatar
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    Just a thought.

    Why not get a power steering rack with a tighter ratio. No hand over hand needed.
    F5R #7841: Anniversary Edition MK4, Ford Racing 427, Edelbrock EFI, Gas-N Pipes, Stainless Headers, TKO600, 3.31 Moser 3-Link, 17" Halibrands

  3. #3
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
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    5-6 inches is a lot. More than the thickness of the door. Not sure how that's possible. I personally haven't done it, but I've seen pictures where guys have cut the door back along the top, e.g. so they roll over less into the cockpit. I'm guessing 1-2 inches. Maybe someone will post a picture. Maybe a smaller steering wheel? But that raises other questions.

    I'll be honest though, even with the pretty mild three turn rack in mine I've never felt like hand-over-hand was necessary. Not even close. It turns very quickly without taking my hands off the wheel. Guys who autocross or simply want it to turn more quickly use a quicker rack.

    I don't see how a V-6 will help much either. Bell housing and transmission are what's taking up the room next to you. Not the engine. Aside from the very thought of putting a V-6 in there...

    The Roadster is a relatively small car no matter how you look at it.
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  4. #4
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    I am building the truck and it has much more room than the roadster. The new Gen 2 hot rod might be even bigger yet.

    They have inboard front suspension and handle great!

  5. #5
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Hallmark View Post

    To be able to hand over hand steer a roadster, I estimate I need 5 to 6" more room.

    I'd really consider anything, if I could drive the car to it's potential, and have fun with it.

    Does anyone have ideas?
    Jon,

    Best you can do in a properly scaled car is:

    Power steering (one form or another), quick rack (and or, steering quickener, properly applied - easier said than done), and a smaller steering wheel.

    There is no getting 5"-6" more inches out of these small roadsters (without going to a wider basis).


    But when you get down to around 2 turns lock to lock (or below) you'll find you don't have to hand over hand any more...


    JMHO,

    Mike
    Last edited by mike223; 03-20-2019 at 09:45 PM.

  7. #7
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    Wallace, I love the door mod. That looks like you may have gained 1 1/2 to 2".

    Mike, I had not thought of the smaller wheel, power steering, that is a great idea.

    I should have been more clear about my goal. I'd like to be able to get my left elbow inside the car so I can steer quicker. With my elbow over the top of the door, it severely limits my ability to steer with my left arm. So I am steering and shifting with my right, which can be a little scary going sideways at speed.

    I will attempt to upload a pic of me in my previous car so maybe someone will see something I could have done better. Maybe seats? I know my arm is inside in the photo, but, it is trapped against the door.

    Thanks again for all of the help.

    I'd like to build another roadster, but, I may have to follow the other advice given and build a truck. Decisions....
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    Last edited by Jon Hallmark; 03-21-2019 at 03:00 AM.

  8. #8
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    Jon,
    Those seats that you had must have restricted your movement some. FFR's "big and tall" roadster seats would give you more movement. Power steering would help you too.

    Olli

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Olli View Post

    Those seats that you had must have restricted your movement some.
    I agree - I think a Kirkey 55 series pro drag seat would allow the back of the seat to be closer to the transmission tunnel - of course this also gets your whole body turned toward the left front tire a little.

    Additionally I've got mine installed about 3/4" higher on the outside edge (door side) - tilting the seat backs toward the center of the car slightly.


    I feel kind of captured by the door too, and I'm considerably smaller - 5'8" 170.

    But I'm pretty happy with electric power steering + a 1.5:1 steering quickener.

  10. #10
    Not a waxer Jeff Kleiner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CDXXVII View Post
    Just a thought.

    Why not get a power steering rack with a tighter ratio. No hand over hand needed.
    EXACTLY! No hand over hand with a 2.25/2.5 turn rack:



    Cheers,
    Jeff

  11. #11

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    I trimmed back my door overhang on the driver side and am very glad I did. Blended the curve into the stock dash meetup point and blended the cut from 1.5" to zero along the rear body radius. I'm just a regular 5'10 160lb person and needrd the room.
    www.breezeautomotive.com 2005 FFR Mk3 Roadster, 302/340hp, MassFlo EFI, Breeze Pulleys, T5, Aluminum Flywheel, 3-link rear with Torsen Diff and 3.27:1 gears, Power Steering, Breeze Front Sway Bar, SN-95 Spindles with outboard SAI Mod, Breeze Battery Mount, QA1 Externally Adjustable Shocks, Quick Release Steering Wheel, Vintage Race seats, GM Arctic White, Sky Blue Scoop, Hidden Hinges, Billet Aluminum Side-view Mirrors, 2,183lbs wet. 1967 Mustang Fastback, Dark Moss Green, black interior, '67 14" styled steel wheels, 2000 Explorer 302 w 5.0 Cam, Quickfuel 450 CFM, 289 Hi-Po Dual exhaust, C4, lowering springs w Shelby drop.

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