Chassis strengthening for Chim/Griff

[Dominic TVRetto]

I've made the decision to do a body-off chassis refurb, and wanted to get the collective opinion on what chassis bracing and/or modifications are possible to help improve chassis stiffness while it's all in pieces.

So the obvious starter is a half cage - not as good as a full cage, but it's gotta remain usable, and not some children's playground climbing feature to fit through...

I have heard of people adding additional bracing - and wondered what might have been done?

Is it simply extra triangulation/cross-bracing (if so, where?), or has anyone seen more involved modification?

Speaking to one of the Le Man's team many years ago, he said that the open unbraced nature of the chassis underside was the achilles heel - and the first thing they had done was add a solid tray to the bottom, and this has improved stiffness as well as aerodynamics...

So has anyone made changes to address the open underside? I did wonder whether adding some sort of removable brace might improve matters - perhaps like a longer, stiffer version of the exhaust mounting "tray", or some sort of similar bracing solution...?

Any thoughts, suggestions, or anecdotes etc much appreciated!


Dom

[Dominic TVRetto]

GreenV8S said:

Any particular problems or handling traits that you're trying to address?

If you want to keep the behaviour more or less the same then the obvious way to achieve that is to leave it alone.

No, it's just this will be the only opportunity to do this, as I don't plan on doing it again - so if there was a list of suggested modifications to help improve the infamous lack of rigidity, then this would be the time to assess and build into the plan.

It always seemed to me that a half-cage with some forward braces coming down to the middle of the outrigger "lengths" might provide some protection in a side impact, while not impeding entry/exit too much...?

Edited by Dominic TVRetto on Monday 24th July 16:11

[Dominic TVRetto]

Perhaps I should have used the word "stiffness" - if rigidity is different?

Loads of anecdotal feedback, Maclaren test rig story, analysis document PDF from the time TVR were developing the Cerbera (used to be available on MCS Software website, but unfortunately now unavailable).

Thanks all, keep them coming!

[Dominic TVRetto]

Yes Kris, it's a great idea - not stiffening per se, but exactly the sort if thing I was hoping for!

[Dominic TVRetto]

Thanks all, some great points.

Plasticman - that's absolute gold, just what I was hoping for, many thanks.

LucyP - a great point about insurance, I'll make sure to speak to them first, much obliged.

Keep them coming people, all ideas appreciated...

[Dominic TVRetto]

All elements of the car are being assessed during the rebuild - and there is reams and reams of information on most of them on PH.

What there is NOT, is information on chassis stiffening, which I am also in a position to do - hence this post requesting information from the knowledgeable about possibilities, which I can then assess individually during this part of the rebuild.

No point in starting the millionth post about the other components - the search functionality delivers all...

Just keeping it to chassis modifications from the collective knowledge and experience - please keep them coming! Thanks!

[Dominic TVRetto]

Many thanks, both.

[Dominic TVRetto]

Thank you so much Sportmotive - can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to post.

Absolutely invaluable insight, based on real world research and experience - this is the kind of information that makes PH indispensable.

I will most likely be contacting you once the build commences...

[Dominic TVRetto]

Thank you again to all those who have posted, this really is an incredible brain-dump from those who have tried and tested chassis modifications.

[Dominic TVRetto]

plasticman said:

You could also weld on some mounting bobbins on to the spine in line with the out riggers which would make the tunnel more of a stressed member .

Plasticman, I wonder if you have the time, whether you might be able to elaborate on the mounting bobbins you refer to - are these extra connections for the body to bolt on to, or are they in reference to bracing the outriggers somehow?

Many thanks,

Dom

[Dominic TVRetto]

+1

Edited by Dominic TVRetto on Tuesday 8th August 00:29