cage triangulation

[ITC Mercury]

I have my ITC Rabbit stripped and have a perfect opportunity to add some triangulation and the two opptional contact points to the cage. Is it better to put the plate on the firewall or the fender well. Also I would love to hear opinions on triangulation and possibly links to photos. Thanks.

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Erik

[racer_tim]

I'd put it on the fender well. If you've ever had the opportunity to replace the front clip on a Rabbit or Scirocco (A1 Bodies) the firewall is actually part of the middle section, and the wheel wells are part of the front clip.

I'd add a Petty bar, and make sure that the rear supports go to the top of the shock tower, then triangulate from there.

Just remember, all that tubing adds weight.


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Tim Linerud
San Francisco Region SCCA
#95 ITB GTI, GP for 2002
http://linerud.myvnc.com/racing/index.html

[ITC Mercury]

Tim-
Thanks for the info. That's pretty much what I had in mind. I have some issues with the front clip and would love to hear what you think. My e-mail is [email protected]. If you have time e-mail me and I'll try and explain teh problem.

Thanks

[Colin Harmer]

You'll find some pretty good shots of the build of my golf at the link below. There's loads of triangulation in this cage. We put about 140 feet of 1.5" tubing in. At a little over a pound a foot, it all worked out well. The car with 3 gal. of gas and the driver in weighs 2282lb. Close enough for ya!
We need to come in at 2280!

http://users.eastlink.ca/~mountain/buildingprocess.htm

Good luck with the cage.

Cheers,

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Colin Harmer
ITB 2-Red Golf
Halifax, NS

http://www.motorsportsolutions.ca
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Colin Harmer (edited January 06, 2003).]

[RacerDoc]

On our ITB GTI I ran the forward braces to the firewall about 6-8 inches up from the floor. If you look the front frame horns attach there, you can see the spot welds. I plated directly over their attachment to the firewall and ran the braces to them. I reasoned it would strengthen the chassis (flex) and even if you take a hit the the front wheel it would still provide intrusion protection as they ran from about a foot off of the floor at the front hoop diagonally down towards the floor.

For pictures, ask Bill Miller he owns the car now. He attest to the strength of the cage, he "race" tested it.

Doug

[Bill Miller]

Originally posted by RacerDoc:
On our ITB GTI I ran the forward braces to the firewall about 6-8 inches up from the floor. If you look the front frame horns attach there, you can see the spot welds. I plated directly over their attachment to the firewall and ran the braces to them. I reasoned it would strengthen the chassis (flex) and even if you take a hit the the front wheel it would still provide intrusion protection as they ran from about a foot off of the floor at the front hoop diagonally down towards the floor.

For pictures, ask Bill Miller he owns the car now. He attest to the strength of the cage, he "race" tested it.

Doug

I can definately attest to the quality of the cage that Doug built (you should have seen the GP 510 he did! ). I understand about having to 'clip' an A1 VW (haven't had to do it, just understand about the firewall). One of the things that sold me on the car, was the cage design. And yes, it was 'race' tested at Summit Point and came away w/ flying colors. Ask Jonathan Boxwell about it, he had a 'ring side seat'.

So Doug, when should I bring the Scirocco by for its cage?



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MARRS #25 ITB Rabbit GTI
SCCA 279608

[ITC Mercury]

Bill-
If you have any pictures of your cage I would love to check it out. I had my Rabbit pulled back into spec and am getting read y to do the cage work. My e-mail is [email protected].

Thanks Erik

[Knestis]

It is in the worst possible place, if CG and fabricating ease are concerns, but I have seen engineering data that suggests that a roof diagonal can do really good things for torsional stiffness - if you are looking for more work...

Kirk

[ITC Mercury]

Thats a good idea. We have a diagonal overhead intrusion bar in my left turn Rabbit, but not in the itc car. After seeing a number of cars get hit while laying on their sides, we thought it was the prudent thing to do. Its more fun if you can still embelish the stories for the grandchildren.

Thanks Erik