Rigidity of body panels
06-21-2014, 11:56 AM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
Rigidity of body panels
Bit of a strange question:
What role does the 944's outer fenders play in terms of rigidity?
The fibreglass fenders (front & rear) that people put on, are often on full cage race cars. Can you put the fibreglass panels on a street car with no cage & not effect the stiffness negatively?
What role does the 944's outer fenders play in terms of rigidity?
The fibreglass fenders (front & rear) that people put on, are often on full cage race cars. Can you put the fibreglass panels on a street car with no cage & not effect the stiffness negatively?
06-21-2014, 12:04 PM
#2
Racer
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I don't think the fenders do anything measurable for chassis rigidity. Their shape and mounting system pretty much preclude them bearing any real stresses. Also a cage doesn't stiffen the part of the car the fenders would if they did anything. So no worries with installing different fenders.
06-21-2014, 12:56 PM
#3
Nordschleife Master
Generally if it is welded on it is part of the unibody so it adds stiffness. The fronts are bolt on so go ahead and replace with fg. The rears however are welded and I wouldn't do without a cage or other stiffening.
The panels that probably have the most effect are the roof and rear light panel. If you replace those with fg definitely add some other form of stiffening. Case in point, when the factory created the cab they added a lot of extra stiffening to make up for the soft top.
The panels that probably have the most effect are the roof and rear light panel. If you replace those with fg definitely add some other form of stiffening. Case in point, when the factory created the cab they added a lot of extra stiffening to make up for the soft top.
06-22-2014, 09:13 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
Generally if it is welded on it is part of the unibody so it adds stiffness. The fronts are bolt on so go ahead and replace with fg. The rears however are welded and I wouldn't do without a cage or other stiffening.
The panels that probably have the most effect are the roof and rear light panel. If you replace those with fg definitely add some other form of stiffening. Case in point, when the factory created the cab they added a lot of extra stiffening to make up for the soft top.
The panels that probably have the most effect are the roof and rear light panel. If you replace those with fg definitely add some other form of stiffening. Case in point, when the factory created the cab they added a lot of extra stiffening to make up for the soft top.
Here is my car (Full fiber body, minus the roof, with a full cage)
https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turb...-racing-6.html
06-22-2014, 04:10 PM
#7
Rennlist Member