Not sure this is a good or bad response...

When will there be a new update on your build?? I love that car.

Thank for the kind words. I wasnt really planning anything super crazy for the cross member. When I say tie into the rockers I was thinking to simply contour the end of the x-member to the shape of the rocker and weld them together. That may change when I'm actually doing the work but for now that's the plan



This also make me think of something else I need to decide. It's a bit of a big thing because it entails both safety and strength/rigidity.

I added the shock hoops specific for the coil over mount and the plan was to add another set of bay bars and tie the 2 together. Once they were in they ended up a bit taller than I expected. Now I'm not sure how necessary the second set of bars really is.

Part of me if thinking to just tie into the shock hoops and then add a brace across the engine. The hoops are 1 3/4 DOM so I don't think there is a material strength issue. I just wonder if having a joint is a terrible idea.

Here's a rough sketch of what I was thinking. Hopefully the blue lines I added are visible. I'll probably add this to Sutton's safety thread as well

Attachment 61087

Looking good Steve. You really have a lot going on. Looks well thought out best I can tell. Bummed we didn't get to see it last month.

You are wondering if the 2nd set of triangulated bars going to the firewall center area are necessary ? In either case you would still cross brace the shock mounts and bring in the "down bars" from the cage to the top of the shock towers ? I assume if you did bring the triangulated bars to the center area of the firewall that they are penetrating the firewall and joining to a dash bar ?

Just arm chairing it I would say those could be overkill at least if you are thinking more 1.75" DOM, it depends a little on how much top view angle you are getting from the cage to the shock towers. I guess I would be inclined to bring in the outside cage bars and cross engine brace, and then maybe go with something a little lighter and removeable if you still wanted to brace to the center of the firewall. You could build cage reinforcement on the cockpit side of the firewall, and provide a bolt in interface, and then use lighter weight removeable tubing that bolts on to the shock towers and the firewall reinforcement plate that I just mentioned.

I guess that means you need to find another car to buy and drive back to Cali soon or you can finish BMF and drive it back..




Not wondering so much about the second set of triangulated bars. More concerned if its better to have a full 1 piece bar coming off the main structure of the cage and coming to the front of the frame or if I can weld a short section from the front hoop of the cage.

I'm wondering if the bay bars will be weaker if they are 1 pieces of tubing welded together. And if they are weaker is it enough to cause a safety or rigidity concern. I hope I never wreck the car but if I do it would be nice to be protected


[/QUOTE]In either case you would still cross brace the shock mounts and bring in the "down bars" from the cage to the top of the shock towers ? I assume if you did bring the triangulated bars to the center area of the firewall that they are penetrating the firewall and joining to a dash bar ? [/QUOTE]

Yes, this would be the case.

[/QUOTE]Just arm chairing it I would say those could be overkill at least if you are thinking more 1.75" DOM, it depends a little on how much top view angle you are getting from the cage to the shock towers. I guess I would be inclined to bring in the outside cage bars and cross engine brace, and then maybe go with something a little lighter and removeable if you still wanted to brace to the center of the firewall. You could build cage reinforcement on the cockpit side of the firewall, and provide a bolt in interface, and then use lighter weight removeable tubing that bolts on to the shock towers and the firewall reinforcement plate that I just mentioned.[/QUOTE]

I agree 1.75" is probably overkill. I was stating that the hoops are currently 1.75 and should note that the main cage would be too. I'm thinking the outer down bars from the main cage to the shock hoops will be 1.75 for sure but agree with something lighter and removable over the engine to tie the 2 hoops together. I would probably use something like 1.5" or maybe a little less for the inner triangle to the firewall. The bolt on firewall plate integrated across the hoop supports does sound like a good idea as well

Few more updates. Made some good progress on the trans/TA mounts and made some new engine mounts. took a while but I got it all in position. Engine is at 2 degrees and offset 3/4" to the passenger side. The trans mount has a removable center section and just enough room for the exhaust to tuck in. Everything should be tucked in under the frame, which will be really nice.

I still need to well in a sleeve to the engine mounts so they don't collapse then torqued down. Also need to drill the final mounting holes for the trans mount and weld the entire mount in but overall its mostly complete.


Attachment 61693

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The bearing race and tape roll are to simulate the exhaust. the angle iron is tacked to the bottom of the frame

Attachment 61695

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What a great build this is man!

Nice work!

Thanks, I always appreciate the words of encouragement.




I also just about finished the front accy drive. I still need to make 2 spacers and get a few new bolts but overall its done. Hopefully it works ok.

Attachment 61714

Looking good Steve.

Quick question. Whose harmonic balancer are you using? Looks like a Powerbond unit?

Tu

Thanks Tu. Yes, its a Powerbond under drive balancer.