Tube Frame, Crazy Idea Options

[Smitty911]

I currently have a '74 2.0 that needs some body(rust) repair and got to thinking. I may spend alot of money on this repair. Which lead to the following.

How much would it cost to build a Tube Frame with un-equal length A-arms in front, 5 point rear end, buy fiberglass Fenders, hood and deck, seats, etc. etc. etc. and have a nice Track car.

Something like the Factory Five Cobra.

Use as much of an existing car or strong aftermarket parts to simplify the build and Voila, Good Track Car and OK Street car. Or Soften things up and have a Good Street Car and Adjust it back for the Track.

I have no clue about designing a Car, but I can see we have loads of talent here and most of it has been done to one level or another.

So just and intresting potential project.

Smitty

[byndbad914]

AJ at The Baja Shop did mine. He is in Corona now. I won't say what I paid as it has been 3yrs since completion so costs likely changed and what you want will dictate actual pricing, so let him quote you. If you go dual A front and rear it will be more than I had with the struts I already owned at the time and making the 5 link. I am converting to SLA front and rear now - no fault of AJ necessarily, just me changing my mind now.

Price comparos, keep in mind it has to be all custom built to fit inside of the 914, not a jigged and copied sand rail (that is what gets costs down, repetition of the same design). Also mine was specific to using the V8, if you go with a 4 or 6 cyl the layout has to be different to cradle that. Mine comes out the top and the whole rear comes completely off.

[Smitty911]

AJ at The Baja Shop did mine. He is in Corona now. I won't say what I paid as it has been 3yrs since completion so costs likely changed and what you want will dictate actual pricing, so let him quote you. If you go dual A front and rear it will be more than I had with the struts I already owned at the time and making the 5 link. I am converting to SLA front and rear now - no fault of AJ necessarily, just me changing my mind now.

Price comparos, keep in mind it has to be all custom built to fit inside of the 914, not a jigged and copied sand rail (that is what gets costs down, repetition of the same design). Also mine was specific to using the V8, if you go with a 4 or 6 cyl the layout has to be different to cradle that. Mine comes out the top and the whole rear comes completely off.

Byndbad914,

Thanks, reading your website started the Problem. I may have to give him a Call when I get back in Ca. I'm in Tupelo MS right now.

One of the people I'm working with Races Dirt Ovel and had a catolog.

Front end - Upper tube fully adjustable A-arm $125, tube lower arims $80, Shocks from $50 each to Coil overs complete $250, Than of course Ball Joints, Steering rack, Wilwood Brakes $125 per Caliper, Mustang II Spindles 2" Drop. looks like $2,000 for a complete adjustable Front end. I also saw in a Custom Street Rod ad, for a complete Chrome Mustang II front suspension for around $2,200.

Is there something inherently wrong with using Mustang II set-up? Or Current Mustang parts, It sure would save some money using Commonly avalible parts.

The Rear - Bearing Carrier, Bearings, heims, Shocks, and Brake system look to be about another $2,000.

Frame - Chrome or Mild Steel? I know Chorme is more expensive, stronger and lighter, but cost is twice to three times as much, but would require heat Treating.

Still kicking it around.

Smitty

[byndbad914]

Nothing wrong with MII stuff. If I were going to do it from scratch, starting all over again, I would consider getting C5/C6 Corvette stuff and work from there. You will need to run big wheels to fit over it (18"... maybe 17" with C5 but I know 18" is minimum with C6 stuff) but you get wide tire variety/selection. Then just make custom axles in the rear to bolt up.

You could do MII front with Cobra rear uprights off the indep suspension cars and adapt the axles to those too.

If you go with circle track stuff and just have AJ build you an upright for the rear you can do a lot of stuff, but you have to plan it well to make it all work together.

Chromoly will save weight. AJ has, or at least had, a guy in LA that can heat treat vehicles and the price wasn't bad. Less than $1K IIRC and in the grand scheme of things, that is low $. That said, AJ is a phenomenal welder and has truggies/etc out there running for years jumping and racing without a crack and no heat treat - the key is having a guy that knows his sh!t weld the thing together.