Professor Helmüt Tester

One common 'dodge' in cage fabrication -

If the rules limit the number of cage 'attachment' points, that generally means those points where the cage is bolted or welded to the rest of the tub. So...drop the bottom of the main hoop and the forward members thru holes in the floor, weld those elements together, then jack the whole cage up inside the car so it's physically wedged against the roof or pillar supports, then slide the floorplates over the holes and weld it all together. It's also fairly common to cut the roof of the chassis, install the cage and then weld the roof back on so it fits really tightly. It's physically jammed together, you gain some stiffness, but it's not considered an 'attachment point'. The rally guys do this all the time (Pro rally cars = real cages).

Beware of trying to make an argument that you've built a cage outside the rules for 'safety' reasons ("I think this way is safer, so even though the rules don't allow it, I should be able to do it..."). The whole 'safety' canard is guaranteed to put a cynical smile on any Scrutineer's face, and when you see that smile, you know that the word 'bull$hit" is running thru his head. That argument won't fly anywhere.

RedlineMan

It is a matter of degrees, G. Let's be honest; cutting holes in dashes and firewalls to send a tube through to the strut towers is pretty invasive stuff, and doing so sort of assumes that someone is going to that extreme. If you are building a GT car (or similar), which I have, then it can indeed make sense, and the sky is often the limit. If you do not know whether the rules will allow it, IT DOES NOT. Certainly, I can't imagine any stock class anywhere allowing it. That is why I gave the advice I did.

You can easily lay things out so that the tubes are easy to add if you cannot find out whether they are legal. I think this is a prudent course of action if you are in doubt.

And listen to Der Professor. As I mentioned somewhere, he "has a lot of t-shirts."

Geo

I most certainly agree with this John.

I just think if the rules allow it and you don't do it, you're making a big mistake. To me it's not extreme, but rather required if you're at all serious.

fatbillybob

Geo and Red,

So as not to highjack a great thread I started another thread on "Cage Tubebending". Let talk about another subject.

Thanks!

FBB

fatbillybob

Professore,

Rally cars using your idea of the jammed cage for legal stiffness may only be used for one season. I hope my car will last for years. Do you think there is a chaffing problem with the cage against the car? How much metal is lost or weakend by this rubbing. I'm I paranoid? I just do not know the metalurgy. Also, car metal flexes. For those using factory glass can the extra pressure of the cage on the A-piller for example cracks glass from all the vibration and movement?