Quote:
Originally Posted by Pampered-Z
he he he, A good freind of mine is a welder/engineer and was going to put it in his car, then changed his mind. But he still wanted to install one, so I was his guinea pig installing it as he had planned for his car, back rails into the trunk well, the door bars mount into the front, this resulted in them not being very rigid as the weight would actually flex the floor pan so additional plates and riser supports were added up front as well.
It a basic S+W (8-point W/swing outs) with Steve's modifications. I bought it from him for what he paid for it and then I paid for the wire and gas for the welding. (Plus some beer and pizza). So let say i paid a 1/4 of what most people would pay!
It was a fun experience. We actually measured all the door gaps and such, put the car up on stands, let it sit for a week to see if any changed, then proceeded to weld everything in. Took us two weeks working mostly just the weekends.
Steve also did N2ODave's 12 point cage (same cage as mine with the added bars)
http://community.webshots.com/album/263592745zjeYOD
Just remember once you go under 10's you need allot more stuff: Suit, nets, chutes, chassy cert., NHRA license.. Allot of money for parts that expire every couple years. Plus, if the car isn't allot faster then 9.90, once you add all the saftey requires you could be heavy enough to back in a 10.0 car! And Cromoly is also far more dollars for the material and the install. (I always get this backwards?) Steel-MIG, CM-TIG? I CM cage will be near double a Steel one in most cases. |
The weight is a big reason to go chromoly and if you ever have to sell the car, chromoly is more attractive come resale time. I would build with the idea that you will go deep nines and keep in mind that you might not have this thing forever. CM=TIG
http://secure.chassisshop.com/partdetail/10-158-134/
http://secure.chassisshop.com/partdetail/41-158-083/
There is 0.75lb/ft difference in weight between 1-5/8 0.083 wall chromoly versus the same size mild steel. Now consider that if you start with 1-3/4 mild steel because you have a bar as a jumping off point versus a cage and the difference becomes greater.
Some quick math says that if you had 100ft of tubing in the car, which is very possible on a full cage (with door bars etc.) your 75lbs lighter if its chromoly. Racing is all about hp/weight.
In the hands of a capable welder and fabricator, either would fit your purpose. I'm just saying that chromoly is lighter for a given length and probably adds value (versus mild steel) if you ever have to sell. Downside is the upfront cost of material and having to TIG weld it.
Another plus for chromoly is the smaller cross-section which is quite noticeable believe it or not. Space starts to become precious once all those bars start getting routed and padding is put on.
Either way get it certified and be safe.