[Ronny]

Hi all 🙂👋, I was wondering what are the criteria by which the chassis is strengthened, and what are the key points of the car that tend to be weaker.

Besides this I have another doubt, I know that many of you may seem stupid I know this question may seem stupid to many of you : is the frame reinforced to prevent it from bending and wasting power during acceleration, or is it reinforced to literally prevent it from bending and deforming irreparably?

Thanks Guys, sorry if the question may seem stupid and obvious, but it's the first time I have to deal with this, I usually only ever tuned the engine and transmission of the car.



*I meant to write: "I know this may seem stupid to many of you" ................... I apologize, I made a mistake, I don't know English well and I write with the automatic translator, very often the meaning is altered

 

[Nextgen classics]

Besides this I have another doubt, I know that many of you may seem stupid:

Thats funny right there!

 

[Ronny]

Thats funny right there!

No, I meant to write: "I know this question may seem stupid to many of you" ................... I apologize, I made a mistake, I don't know English well and I write with the automatic translator, very often the meaning is altered

 

[Mi.5.0Fred]

You reinforce the chassis so that it doesn’t bend like a noodle and deform the body.
You reinforce the chassis so that the power pushes the car forward and doesn’t waste time and energy bending the car before it moves forward.
‘You reinforce the chassis so that in a crash the drivers compartment stays intact and the driver doesn't get crushed.

 

[Ronny]

thank you, is it possible to get sufficient stiffness without mounting the cage? Just reinforcing the frame underneath, along its entire length, perhaps inserting a real extra tubular frame under the original frame and welding the weak points?

You reinforce the chassis so that it doesn’t bend like a noodle and deform the body.
You reinforce the chassis so that the power pushes the car forward and doesn’t waste time and energy bending the car before it moves forward.
‘You reinforce the chassis so that in a crash the drivers compartment stays intact and the driver doesn't get crushed.

thank you, is it possible to get sufficient stiffness without mounting the cage? Just reinforcing the frame underneath, along its entire length, perhaps inserting a real extra tubular frame under the original frame and welding the weak points?

 

[Top355x]

Be very helpful to know what type of car and potential et then can get recommendations and requirements

 

[mrdragster1970]

Frame ties are not enough!!
On a 9.88 car with no cage and only the bolt in frame connectors it ripped the sheet metal in multiple spots.
2nd gen uni-body Camaro.

 

[Boosted Bullet]

Yeah, I see the cage as a performance benifit almost as much as a safety measure.

 

[Ronny]

Be very helpful to know what type of car and potential et then can get recommendations and requirements

it's a pontiac trans am , 1989 , T-Top , 1000 whp at 1st step (this year) , over 1500 hp at wheels in 2nd step (future) .
I will use it on drag strip in week end, and streetable in the week

 

[camaro 77]

a cage will be needed because it has T tops and also with that kind of power you will not be able to race it without having the proper safety equipment

 

[Ronny]

a cage will be needed because it has T tops and also with that kind of power you will not be able to race it without having the proper safety equipment

besides the cage, what other points on the frame do I need to reinforce? Please do you have any photos for visual reference? Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate your help

 

[mrdragster1970]

Until you start gutting the thing completely, proper frame connectors and a ten point makes a strong chassis.
Obviously not P/M strong, but plenty of fast cars are built like that.

 

[Ronny]

Until you start gutting the thing completely, proper frame connectors and a ten point makes a strong chassis.
Obviously not P/M strong, but plenty of fast cars are built like that.

Thanks for the advice, I intend to fit a full subframe the full length of the frame including cross braces. But the 10-point cage is a problem for me, I could only do an 8-point cage, because I have to keep it "invisible" on the street.

The bars of the cage that pass laterally to the windshield can be camouflaged under the plastics of the interior (modified on purpose), the bars that pass under the t-Top can be camouflaged by covering them with padded upholstery, but if I have understood correctly, in the 10-point cage there are even the cross bars in the cockpit, those would be impossible to make invisible.
The best I could do is weld cross bars under the seats, and then cover them with the padded upholstery.

 

[mrdragster1970]

You must have a shoulder bar.
It’s not safe or legal to have nothing all the way from the top of the hoop to the floor.
I have seen door and shoulder bars that were covered, but they still must be there in the correct size and location.

 

[Top355x]

With the plan to be at 1500hp and what that car should weight when done the idea of being legal on the track means the required cage work is not going to be invisible no way around it so it’s going to either be legal at the track or not legal and not have a cage if you’re worried about getting street races a cage usually won’t deter most people