Been out today drawing the plans for the bottom rails on my 8x4.
I measured the engine and realised for a nice fit i need to make the 'engine bay' bigger. I've drawn it out 4 or 5 inches (cant
remember which) longer and 6 inches wider at the nose. Im using 0.5mm thicker steel than the book, will this give it enough strength for my engine?
If you are/were building to book size then it should be fine, as the +4 chassis adds the amount you are thinking about anyway, but if you are already
at +4 and are talking about an extra 4 -5" again, and with a heavy motor too, it might be pushing it a bit.
You could add an extra cross tube between f1 j1 and f2 j2 which would help, and maybe plate the full length of the engine mounting tubes (g1 &
g2?) as well.
The route for the steering column could be interesting too 
The jag engine will need a fair bit of cooling as well, maybe additional side mounted rads could be used?
Just a thought, although I'm maybe looking a bit far ahead for now 
Cheers
Alex
with 2mm steel im sure it is possible to make it strong enough, just make sure you triangulate wherever possible - you could also consider upping diameter to 30 or 35mm tube.
Yeah and why not panel it in inch thick steel and put cat tracks on it while you're at it 
Sorry, should have said. Its the +442 chassis that im adding the extra to. Im using 2mm steel for the 20x20 sections but for the 25x25 sections i went
for 2.5mm as when im through sva i am hoping to upgrade the engine to a 4.0 supercharged unit, which will probably be fairly heavy.
[Edited on 11-5-07 by speedyxjs]
Do not worry about increasing the thickness, but up the size from 1" to 1.5" box at 16swg. This will add far more strength than 2mm 1"
box with less weight.
Its triangles that make it ridgid so add more cross bracing.
Will you be to using jag running gear, if so maybe make the whole frame from larger section tube or be strategic and use 1" x 1.5" 16swg,
tall side up. this will only add a 20% more weight but significant strength.
Regards Mark
[Edited on 11/5/07 by mark chandler]
quote:
Originally posted by mark chandlerWill you be to using jag running gear, if so maybe make the whole frame from larger section tube or be strategic and use 1" x 1.5" 16swg, tall side up. this will only add a 20% more weight but significant strength.
Not sure without working it out but I feel more triangulation will increase stiffness, but not necessarily strength.