Roll Cage design

[PoorMans180SX]

Well, I didn't get a lot from all that except that I'm overdesigning. I'm definitely sticking with X-door bars, and the corner reinforcements. Both are key to cage stiffness and safety. I'll take out one bar in the X in the halo, but a crossbar is necessary for stiffness. And I'll add a harness bar into my design. I'm not looking for "cool points" I'm looking for maximum chassis stiffness. What materials does everyone recommend then? Isn't Chromoly still the stiffest, safest, lightest metal to make cages out of? Sorry I'm not up to date on my latest cage requirements, I'm looking at NASA and SCCA specs now.

Another point I forgot: I know it would be best to triangulate the front strut towers with the dash bar horizontally (Or run a setup similar to DSG's Maxi) but it's basically impossible with the brake booster and clutch cylinder location and a VQ in the engine bay.

[cdlong]

Originally Posted by Turbo711

I'm looking for maximum chassis stiffness.

i just wanted to comment on this idea that you've mentioned a few times that i'm not sure anyone has commented on.

maximum chassis stiffness isn't the goal. if you wanted that, just make the chassis out of one block of steel. obviously you don't want to do that because it would weigh a ton. stiffness is a compromise (just like virtually everything else) with weight. you want to make the chassis stiff enough and safe enough but add as little weight as possible. the chassis will always flex, better to accept that sooner than later.

now, how you do that should be left to the experts.

on a side note, the strut tower braces can be added later. and there are bolt in braces that do pretty much the same thing. basically a sheet metal piece that fills in the space between the strut tower, fender, and firewall. i can't seem to find any at the moment, but maybe someone else knows of one.