The degree of strengthening the chassis really depends on what you intend to
do with the car and its horsepower.
If you simply put in the 250HP engine with a brake upgrade you may not need
a lot of additional strength apart from the front struts area, to cope with
harder stops. The rear end will be simply spinning a lot and looking
impressive as rubber goes up in smoke. (Refer to the Ozdate website for a
demo)
When you want to actually get the car moving forward with the rear end
sticking (5.1 LSD, big rubber, stiff suspension) then the drama really
starts. Body flex will crack the car at all the weakest points in a short
time. You will need to strengthen every where, and even that wont be
enough, unless you dont "pop" the clutch - and who would never do that, with
250HP under the right boot? There are some good emails on where to seam
weld, in the archives on the site, check these out.
A roll cage is a good idea but it needs to be rigidly mounted to the body in
as many places as possible, including through the firewall to the front
strut towers and at the A and B pillars, for ultimate rigidity. A half cage
doesnt add much (any?) ridgity but does add some safety.
If you are going to rally your car, go for the full cage up front for safety
and strength. Seam/stitch weld everything, and may be you will get 5
seasons out of the shell excluding "off roads". A 1600 shell with the full
treatment above and quality gas suspension feels bullet proof, even on
really rough roads.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Andrews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, 23 October 2000 21:40 PM
Subject: Strengthening the 1600 chassis.
> G'day All,
>
> Well have spoken to an imported who is on the lookout for a front-cut S15
> for me. Might be waiting for a while :). Now I'm doing the research for
the
> chassis strengthening the car will require.
> Heres is what I am contemplating at the moment:
>
> - Seam welded front-end
> - Strut brace (have only seen pictures of a NISMO one in USA anyone got
> into on these?)
> - rear 1/2 chrome moly roll cage (4/6 point?)
>
> Just after everyones opinion on this. Will it be enough to take the 250hp
> engine for the next 5 years or do I need to do more?
> As you can tell I know bugger all about roll cages but I hope you get the
> drift.
>
> Also on the NZ nissan page they mention the S15 has a brace under the
> gearbox. Got a picture of it at:
>
> http://www.nissan.co.nz/200sx/200sx3.html
>
> Looks almost like a mid-section anti-sway bar attached to either side of
> the gearbox tunnel? Comments?
> BTW. You've gotta see Geordies 15-second funrun.mpg
> MAD!! MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE!!!
> Regards,
>
> Dave
>
>
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