2004 Neon SRT-4 PS/F Build

[kberjian]

I have been working on the car for a few months to try to get it ready for next year at Bonneville.

To accommodate the air-water intercooler, I have removed a section of firewall and am rebuilding a new frame and firewall. The intercooler and a few of the panels are removable so I can connect the IC piping. I think this should satisfy the rules but would like some confirmation.

[kberjian]

Had a few hours today and finished framing and sheeting the new front firewall.  Also made the fuel cell mounts. I rough cut the new rear firewall that will be a real pain to fit as there are even more curves that a weight watchers meeting. I might tackle the steering column mount and new dash tonight if I get time....

[kberjian]

Started the internal skeleton for the front facia. At very high speeds I was told by the Racedeck guys that it would bend back until it would rub on the crash bar and the sides would be bent down almost 2". I am bending 1/4" pencil rod to get the contour and I will be bending up some 1" tube to frame it. The overall idea will be to have it mount to the crash bar, 2 bolts into each fender, and then the bottom will be covered by a sheet that bolts to the rad support.

[unobtainium]

Karson said it was ok for me to post up in here, so I'll be uploading some pics over the next week or two on the progress.
I'm hoping to generate some interest in here so I can bounce some questions around about the cage design. The rulebook is quite "open" compared to what I'm used to, so any suggestions will help.

[unobtainium]

Here are a few pics of the work done already...
Main hoop

Some of the welds on it..

[unobtainium]

Tubing is 1.750"x.120"wall DOM.
Built a secondary framework inside the car as these SRT-4's are not real stout from the factory in terms of sheet metal, and the 1/4"plate in the rules does not appeal to me much. There are a few places I've used it still, but minimized it. Inner tubes are 2x2x.125" in the front and under the main hoop. The rear rails are 1x2.5"x.188".

[Peter Jack]

Unobtainium, PM sent.

Pete

[unobtainium]

Unobtainium, PM sent.

Pete

Thanks, replied.

[unobtainium]

Few more pics...


Going to post in the rules section about gussets, some places are such obtuse angles you can't meet the rules as per 4" from joint to outside of tube without exceeding the 6" length allowed.

[unobtainium]

Got the roof basically done today, just waiting to hear back on gussets for the windshield bar junctions.
Starting to look like a serious cage! Let me know what you think!

[unobtainium]

More pics tomorrow hopefully. Almost gusseted out, new material for door bars and floor stuff should be here soon so I can finish this thing.

[unobtainium]

Going to be working on the chute mount and turbo exhuast/WG for the next bit while waiting for more tubing to finish the cage.

[unobtainium]

Any feedback guys? Anything you see that needs attention? It's not done, but I'd love to hear suggestions.
There are a few spots I need to complete triangulation, and more tubes on the floor, but I'm thinking about a centre windshield bar...

[Peter Jack]

I called Chris but you must have been too busy on the computer. I can honestly say that if I had to take a bad ride in a race car that's one of the ones I'd choose, You're doing a fine job. 

Pete

[unobtainium]

Back at this beast...