QUOTE(Woody @ Jan 4 2012, 09:18 AM)
QUOTE(J P Stein @ Jan 4 2012, 10:06 AM)
QUOTE(neilca @ Jan 4 2012, 06:23 AM)
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.
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.
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.