This can't be good!, Car is separating around hell hole Options

[Steve]

This can't be good. The seam is separating under the battery and under the right side of the engine lid support. I also noticed a crack above the GT chassis stiffener on the same side. I searched everywhere else in the area and it looks fine. I wonder if its rusting out from the inside? Any ideas on what this means? Do I need to pull the motor to fix it? Replace the whole section or just weld it up?
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
Here are the pictures.

[sean_v8_914]

this is common on GT stiffened cars. the chassis moves where it was not stiffened, then it separates the spot welds and moves even more...I have also repaired a few cars where the GT kit was only partially installed. the stres and movenet will find it's way to the weak link and come apart
this separation, mild in your case (for now) indicates movement in teh rear chassis section.

while the repair is not difficult, I recommend spending an hour under there with VERY GOOD LIGHTING just to be sure you find all the motion back there. the borescope is fun but external "tells" will speak loudly to the trainned eye.

I will plug my shop here. S and S can do it...too bad im in san diego

[ConeDodger]

this is common on GT stiffened cars. the chassis moves where it was not stiffened, then it separates the spot welds and moves even more...I have also repaired a few cars where the GT kit was only partially installed. the stres and movenet will find it's way to the weak link and come apart
this separation, mild in your case (for now) indicates movement in teh rear chassis section.

while the repair is not difficult, I recommend spending an hour under there with VERY GOOD LIGHTING just to be sure you find all the motion back there. the borescope is fun but external "tells" will speak loudly to the trainned eye.

I will plug my shop here. S and S can do it...too bad im in san diego

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I have seen this on two cars that were commonly tracked or autocrossed with race rubber.