Ground clearance for sump - underground parking

[BenF]

Dear all,

As some of you know, I sold my 7 when I moved to Italy.  However, I have a feeling I will be buying another one sooner rather than later.

I've been looking for flats and have found somewhere really nice and hopefully they will accept me as a tenant.

It has a really nice large single garage, which is underground.

I'm wondering if there are any rules of thumb on how steep the access ramp can be, before the sump grounds out when you reach the bottom?  I know this depends on the exact spec of 7.... problem is, I would really like a CSR and that I believe is the worst case for ground clearance!

I should be able to approach the bottom at an angle, which should make ground clearance less critical.

Any thoughts?  The best solution is probably to get a 7 owner local to Modena to try out the access ramp for me!

A solution to the problem will probably be to get two planks of wood which the front wheels can roll onto until the car has less of an angle with the floor of the garage.

Ben

[SM25T]

There are quite a few Sevens in Italy. Calling Roberto .......

[BenF]

Yes, I was going to get in touch with Roberto in due course....

[RS2000]

Might it not be more likely that the nosecone will ground out rather than, or at least before, the sump can?

How does it compare to perhaps a ferry loading?

[sjmmarsh]

The problem is likely to be at the top of the ramp, not the bottom and if you have a CSR it is the hoop under the gearbox that is likely to foul the ground as it is midway between the wheels. 

I'd be surprised if the nosecone would catch at the bottom, but if you are worried about it just reverse down the ramp instead. 

Steve

[6speedmanual]

In Land Rover speak it is approach angle, break-over angle and departure angle. Never seen these quoted for a 7. Break-over is most critical on a 7 and most tricky to resolve as ramps/planks hard to belpoy compared with at bottom of a ramp. Peter.

[elie boone]

I have to cover a height difference of 1.40m and i do this with a 8m long ramp, it's layed in 3 different angles and the approach angle is 7 degrees. A 7 like circuit car that has slightly less than 5cm under a geabox hoop lightly touches the ground.

[Jonathan Kay]

The point about it not being determined by the slope itself has been made above.

I'm not sure how you're going to check this without a real 7 or a mockup. You could try us with a sketch and a few measurements.

So I'd appeal to owners in Italy... turn it into a social occasion, and write up in Low Flying.

:-)

Jonathan

 

 

[SM25T]

L7C Italia is a great group of people. :-)

[BenF]

Thanks for all the replies.

It's clear that a simple answer is not possible and that I do need a 7 to come a drive down the ramp.  However, Elie's info is useful because obviously, if I measure the ramp and find it's much shallower than that, then it should not be a problem (e.g. only 5deg)

Steve's point about the CSR touching on the gearbox hoop is good info.  I was not sure if this is critical or it's more the sump.

I will get in touch with Roberto in due course but I won't be moving into the flat until end Jan-mid Feb so there is no rush.

Ben

[tangomikeromeo]

Oh go on then.

Happy to help.

What weekend is convenient? But the gearbox hoop I can test length, breadth, K sump and nosecone clearance for you.

 

[Dr Slotter]

Just borrow a car from work?  If that works, the Seven will be fine!

[BenF]

William - you are very welcome to pop by... actually I am looking forward to visitors in 7s 

Tom - I do have a car from work.... it's a Fiat 500L 

 

[Dr Slotter]

Haha! Used a video of your new workplace in a manufacturing lecture last week.

[elie boone]

It's easy to make a mock up to see if a CSR would pass, all you need is a piece of wood the lenght of the wheel base. Make 2 blocks that represent the clearence of the CSR, place these blocks where the wheels would be on the long piece of wood. Now you put a 3th piece of wood where the hoop would be in reference to the front wheels, push this over the edge of your garage entrance and you will have a idea if it will pass or not

[6speedmanual]

or..... as an extension to Elie's suggestion, add wheels to the plank and use it as a soapbox kartie.  Freewheeling down Alpine passes steering with a piece of string would probably be more exciting (scary) than driving a 7!

[elie boone]

We used to slid down the slope of a cycling oval with a Renault 4 bonnet up side down in the snow. I lasted about half an hour before we where chased away from the premisses.

[Golf Juliet Tango]

Elie, that is far too logical. What Ben needs is three days of computer graphics time, rendering for 12 hours, a large Excel workbook and several highly qualified members of the Inst Mech Eng (or Italian Equivalent).

:-p

What you are suggesting is like taking a pencil into space.

[andy couchman]

It's all a question of correlation...

First, model it using CFD and all sorts of technical wizardry (or a pen and paper...).

Then buy one of those lovely metal 7 models (1/24 scale type), and use a couple of bits of wood and a protracator to measure the angles and try it.

If that all shows it's OK...

Finally, get the test drivers to try it for real as you and a team of other engineers monitor proceedings.

...or just ask Autosport.

Andy

[elie boone]

Stephen, by the time i have finished measuring a computer only has started up let alone start calculating. It's a sign of the times that it needs to be dome with computer, otherwise it can't br right.

[Golf Juliet Tango]

:-)

:-P

 

[sjmmarsh]

The wooden pole method will give you an idea of the clearance you should have, but won't allow for the movement in the tyre walls and the suspension. What you really need is an F1 suspension design team - Caterham probably have one going (sadly) at the moment.

Alternatively, just test drive the car over the ramp. If it grounds, be ready to get out of the car and push!

Steve

PS: If there isn't enough clearance, a carefully placed plank should give you the clearance you need.

[6speedmanual]

We once had "bring your cherished car to work" day. On taking a colleague out, I gingerly crossed one of the car park speed bumps (one those big rubber triangular section strips). Car duly grounded out on lowered floor. I was just about to ask passenger to bail when a big bloke who worked for me stepped forward and grabbing the rear cage kindly "lifted" the car and occupants over the obstruction. So, Ben, all you need is when you're going out, call the concierge and get him to carry your car out of the underground! Shiiimples! :) Peter