Cage question..

[Spinnetti]

I have 1.5" roll cage tubing, and need to update to "Nascar" bars.. my local guy can only bend 1 5/8" tube.. Can I use the bigger tube, or do I have to find somebody else?

TIA

[Greg Amy]

Can I use the bigger tube...

Yes, as long as its wall thickness meets or exceeds the minimum as well.

Rules state "...minimum allowed tubing outer diameter and wall thickness by vehicle weight..." and "...The required tubing elements must meet the material minimums set forth above."

Ergo, using tubing that is larger than minimum specs is legal.

[Speed Raycer]

Not a big fan of "smooshing" tube to fit, but since we're only talking 1/16" of an inch all the way around, it shouldn't be too big of a deal if his gaps are good. I'd just make sure that he uses taco gussets at the 1.625" to 1.5" joints.

Not sure which sanctioning body, but someone just added a rule regarding joints using the "smoosh" method.

[DoubleXL240Z]

Where are you located? I'm in Central Florida. There may be some others in your area.
But, a 1/16 "smoosh" isn't that tragic as Scott has pointed out.
Is "smoosh" in the definition section of the new GCR?

[Ed Funk]

Is "smoosh" in the definition section of the new GCR?

"Smoosh" is not, "Smooch" is, in the Capt Panties section

[ddewhurst]

***Smoosh" is not, "Smooch" is, in the Capt Panties section***

***Old and cranky:cool:***

Yes..............

[Spinnetti]

Thanks for the replies...

This guy is a good fabricator and I don't know of any others local (Cincinnati), but I need to ask around a bit. I would think simply cutting out the joints a bit shy of the full radius would eliminate any "smushing", but I'm pretty fussy... McMahon info anybody?

[xr4racer]

mark mcmahon www.rollcageguy.com 330 645-6368

[Spinnetti]

mark mcmahon www.rollcageguy.com 330 645-6368

thanks!

[RacerBill]

Bender's Race Cars and Fabrication
572 S Nelson
Columbus, OH
614-252-7223

[joeg]

Don't worry, it will work just fine. Izzy's point about gussetting is always sage advice, however, because a gussett's primary purpose it to get more weldment at a joint.