What shall I do? Repair or Reshell?

[Akay]

Hi all,

03 plate 172 ph2, gone fairly heavily down the track car route and have just had a cage fitted (welded in bases etc.) and plenty of modifications. It was always meant to be a cheap-ish project.

The shell is far from mint, which doesnt bother me, but recently I have found some bad rust. The sills need replacing, they have currently been patched (hole around 6 inches long either side!).

Before I go further (front half of the cage, roof scoop etc.), do I bother repairing the sills, or reshell, or just leave it and kick its head in for a few years?

Im just worried I will be driving round in a rotbox and its pointless spending on it either way! Thoughts?

 

[mikekean]

Just get them fixed as it sounds like you already have a decent amount of time and money invested in it. Picture of the rust would be helpful though..

 

[Akay]

Pics below. These have been plated but the sill will need doing, about half on each side along with the rear arch/sill/inner quarter junction.

 

[scotiamr2t]

Repair for me, the cill panels aren't expensive. Plus a lot of shells will have the same issue so once you have repaired you know its solid

 

[Akay]

What sort of time frame are we talking for this to be a major repair? Its only used on track and driving to and from, would it last another year or so?

 

[scotiamr2t]

Depends if your paying a body shop to do it or doing it yourseLf, it would last another few years dependent on passing an MOT

 

[Akay]

I cant weld, im willing to learn but I think its quite a challenging repair. Il probably leave it for a few years and see how its fared.

 

[mikekean]

Just get it fixed, nip it in the bud before it set's in. They are under the skirts anyway so whatever body shop you get to do it can just blow it in now problem. I would be surprised if it cost you more than £3-400.

 

[Coops Mk1]

doesn't look too bad tbh chap, repair i'd say. can you poke a hole in any of the problem areas with a screwdriver? if not and its still solid enough it'll be fine for a year or so i'd say.

 

[Akay]

Yeah. In talks getting it done with the rest of the cage.

Fuel filler cap is starting but hoping i can treat that.

 

[Akay]

doesn't look too bad tbh chap, repair i'd say. can you poke a hole in any of the problem areas with a screwdriver? if not and its still solid enough it'll be fine for a year or so i'd say.

I could do, used a crowbar and didnt take much effort.

 

[RichValver]

where are you located? Seeing as its hidden behind the sideslirts I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just get a mobile welder to do the welding then paint them up.

that's what I would do personally

 

[Coops Mk1]

mmmm, maybe its worse than pics show then! either way still reckon patch it up, gonna be easier than a full reshell