Chassis Stiffening, should I? |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
Chassis Stiffening, should I? |
Woody |
Jan 3 2012, 04:28 PM
Post
#1
|
Sandbox Rabblerouser and head toilet scrubber Group: Members Posts: 3,858 Joined: 28-December 10 From: San Antonio Texas Member No.: 12,530 Region Association: Southwest Region |
So I bought the 10 piece chassis kit and the trailing arm box kit and the car is prepped for install. My car has never had any rust issues and looking at the bare metal everything looks great. I can't find any cracks or any other irregularities. The car is autocrossed at least monthly and I am attempting to stiffen it up. I will fab up a inner ear brace as well and rollbar is in the works too. Well I started browsing and I guess some of you guys don't like the 10 piece kit. Should I just leave it off and stitch weld all the body seams instead? What about the trailing arm box kit? Am I going to be adding weight that isn't going to benefit anything?
|
neilca |
Jan 4 2012, 08:23 AM
Post
#2
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 98 Joined: 26-July 05 From: Marietta, GA Member No.: 4,474 |
I do not run it in road racing, too heavy. I also do not have enough talent to feel flex in my trailing arms.
The 914 has a spot weld about every 1/4 inch on the body seams. I know cause I had to drill them out. I do not think welding the seams will get you anything and the foam in between the panels will catch on fire. Cage is the best way to stiffen the chassis and it protects the driver too. Good luck, |
J P Stein |
Jan 4 2012, 10:06 AM
Post
#3
|
Irrelevant old fart Group: Members Posts: 8,797 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Vancouver, WA Member No.: 45 Region Association: None |
|
Woody |
Jan 4 2012, 11:18 AM
Post
#4
|
Sandbox Rabblerouser and head toilet scrubber Group: Members Posts: 3,858 Joined: 28-December 10 From: San Antonio Texas Member No.: 12,530 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I do not think...... Just about the only part of the prior post with which I agree. Hey J P, how are ya? Do you have anything constructive to add to my thread? I understand you're quite the authority on everything 914 related. Thanks, your friend Jon. |
J P Stein |
Jan 4 2012, 11:55 AM
Post
#5
|
Irrelevant old fart Group: Members Posts: 8,797 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Vancouver, WA Member No.: 45 Region Association: None |
I do not think...... Just about the only part of the prior post with which I agree. Hey J P, how are ya? Do you have anything constructive to add to my thread? I understand you're quite the authority on everything 914 related. Thanks, your friend Jon. Sure, I'm a legend in my own mind. I ran my 914 for 6-8 years at AX with big stickey tires with seam welding only....no "reinforcement kits" here. I did have a cage but is made stiffness from door jamb to door jamb only. Seam welding is no small chore. The most important seams on the 914 to prevent cracking are where most cracks occur/propagate from....duh. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Around the outside of the inner ear and the pinch seam over the rear wheel arch. After welding these points must be smoothed out with a grinder....to a nice radius on the weld....to prevent a stress riser....a kerf or notch which concentrates stress. Both of these areas often have a spot weld that "breaks out" (overlap) of the seam metal....a large stress riser. Without a rotisserie this welding is a bitch....you get to light your self on fire a bunch....even with protective leathers...BTDT. That said, when I welded down tubes from the cage to the shock towers it was a revelation....wow, the car moved as a unit rather than an independent front & rear. Stiffness is relative depending on how much TM&E you want to spend. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Some is good but a lot is better. Making them shocks & springs & things actually do their job is a good thing for consistent handling. The only cracking I ever had was at the bottom front of the rear shock towers (pre down tubes). These come with stiffer (over 200lb ) springs. The connections, longs to shock towers, really sucks.......but hay, the car was never designed to cope these spring rates. BTW, no swing arm bracing.....they are more fishing lures IMO. Your friend JP. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 19th May 2024 - 11:35 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |