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Opinions on this Chassis for a V8 Middy
tobym - 20/9/08 at 07:58 AM

I am researching the possibility of buiding a V8 middy, GT-style car, but don't have much (any!) engineering background, so am researching different chassis-designs, and found this:
middy chassis
I wondered what you middy engineering expert-types thought of it? What are the good and bad aspects ? etc,

thanks in advance for all of your help,

Toby

[Edited on 20/9/08 by tobym]

minitici - 20/9/08 at 07:59 AM

Correct link!

richardlee237 - 20/9/08 at 09:27 AM

To try and visulise what forces will be experienced in a complicated structure like a car space frame is difficult.
You need to imagine the chassis as a set of rods all joined together by ball and socket joints and then think what will happen if you try and twist or bend the chassis.
In the chassis shown there is a big notch (cut out) in the top rail at the middle of the car, which is the point where the bending forces are greatest. Struturally not good, which is maybe why they say they have used FEA on the back bone. THe roll cage does very little to improve this.
If you are seriously considering a one off or unknown chassis, make a scale model from 3mm square balsa wood, lightly glue it together with pva adhesive. Use that to see where it is weakest in bending and twisting. Put bits in or take them out and see the effect. An evenings enjoyable work indoors will tell you a lot .



Richard

aerosam - 20/9/08 at 11:12 AM

Mega expensive!

$15,000!!!!

Werner Van Loock - 20/9/08 at 11:16 AM

here's another gt style V8 middy:

DDR_SP8

kb58 - 20/9/08 at 02:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Werner Van Loock
here's another gt style V8 middy:

DDR_SP8

That thing has been "almost ready" for years. The odd thing to me is the list of qualifications of the two creators, One has been associated with sports car drivers, and "has worked with race cars decorations and promotional vinyl graphic design." The other guy's qualifications include being "project chef for a large construction company".

So... who chose camber gains and roll centers, who decided whether shock installation ratios were acceptable, and who did structural analysis? I hope it's the other two names they drop, though I think Irv isn't a designer either, but I could be wrong.

Sorry for the rant, but I always get spun up about stuff like this. Frankly I'm impressed they're honest enough to admit they don't have any design experience.

[Edited on 9/20/08 by kb58]