Track build starting (spec 3)

Sean O'Connell · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:04 am

we will more than likely be adding to the cage in a few places for more strength and added weight. i'll have to take another look at the rules, but i thought that tying the cage into the rear sub frame mounting points and the rear shock towers was specifically against the rules. Steve i cant speak for BMW CCA spec e36, but for nasa spec 3 (i'm not sure which you were referring to but there is a big difference)which we are building the cars for the addition of the x brace to the front sub frame is allowed.

ColinOConnell · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:36 am

Sean O'Connell wrote:

we will more than likely be adding to the cage in a few places for more strength and added weight.

To be clear for those interested, no modifications will be made for any purpose other than functional or safety rated. Any added weight will merely be an unfortunate byproduct of safety. Well worth the time, effort and money in my opinion. Per the rules, added weight is allowed (within the limits) and will help us walk the line. While every bit counts, at my level how much does 100#, 250#, or 500# really matter? I can't wait until 50# makes the difference between Sean and Kevin smoking me on track. My guess is I'll need to add a minimum of 150# located high and left to each of their cars for me to be able to keep up. That and some really old tires stored under the house that need to get used on track or recycled into NJ Turnpike.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2011 2:17 pm

ColinOConnell wrote:

I'm going to need a harness bar, the Kirk horizontal bar is too low.

You are correct. I've yet to see a pre-made cage that the harness bar wasn't too low. In our Prelude I think the harness bar we added was 3-4" higher that the pre-fabbed piece.

ColinOConnell · **Posted:** Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:51 pm

This so beats a vice and a sledge hammer to put a bend into a piece of steel.

ColinOConnell · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:58 am

Cage build is progressing nicely. We got everything welded in today except the door bars. Drivers are tacked and passenger side is waiting for some attention. I wasn't nearly as close this morning as I thought I'd gotten in fitting and notching. We spent too much time today cleaning up my previous work prior to welding. The actual welding part didn't take 1/3 of the time spent today.

jakepressley · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:12 am

That shop is friggin DANK!!!

It beats starting grass fires in the driveway while welding..

thanks for the build pictures and notes.

keep the updates coming

ColinOConnell · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:51 pm

The cage is complete! One long weekend of prep work and one looonggg weekend of fitting and welding, but it's done! There's still things to buy and time to put in, but the cage was the big stage of the project and it's done.

Note the sweet sunroof clips I found in the shop. These little U-channels were simply perfect. I welded them to the roof and set the sunroof in and bam! they were perfect. The sunroof sat perfectly and needed no fidgeting and tweaking to fit.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:13 am

find some metal rod to place in the channels above the weld mounts. better than body putty, will not crack out later on.

nice door bars BTW. :thumbsup:

ColinOConnell · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:37 am

steve remchak wrote:

find some metal rod to place in the channels above the weld mounts.:

You lost me... do you suggest metal rod as a filler and welding instead of fiber bondo? Maybe metal rod and then some bondo? Welding on the thin body metal was such a PIA that I'd be inclined to use old bubble gum before welding that heavily on the roof.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:16 am

ColinOConnell wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

find some metal rod to place in the channels above the weld mounts.:

You lost me... do you suggest metal rod as a filler and welding instead of fiber bondo? Maybe metal rod and then some bondo? Welding on the thin body metal was such a PIA that I'd be inclined to use old bubble gum before welding that heavily on the roof.

yes metal rod in the channels. you don't need to weld the whole length of the rod just sort of tack it in a few places. then fill the voids with bondo.

clinehall · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:02 am

I like the sweet little flowered seat cushion, did you borrow that from my Nana?

ColinOConnell · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:54 am

clinehall wrote:

I like the sweet little flowered seat cushion, did you borrow that from my Nana?

I saw one in Somebody els's build pictures and liked the idea of having padding while crawling around inside. The cheapest one on the shelf at Lowes was also the prettiest

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:04 pm

ColinOConnell wrote:

clinehall wrote:

The cheapest one on the shelf at Lowes was also the prettiest

I'll let the merchandising team know you liked it and found a good use for it.

-Kevin

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:15 pm

I can imagine the cost of Spec 3 racing will make Lemons look damn near free.

Sean O'Connell · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:48 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

I can imagine the cost of Spec 3 racing will make Lemons look damn near free.

not dealing with the charades and all around bullshit of lemons, priceless

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Track build starting (spec 3)

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