SB2 FC version 2.0 cage, weight reduction, and more power

[tinman]

Considering the FC was going through a major revamping I figured I would post up a build thread of the progress. I had planned on getting everything done this winter but other projects got in the way. But over the past month or so a lot has been accomplished and it is now on it's way back together.

The cage was the highest on the priority list, I wanted to stiffen the car, be able to run at the track without any hassles, and save my ass if anything bad ever happens. The main hoop, windshield bar, and forward uprights are .120" wall 1 5/8" dom mild steel, the rear shock tower bars are .090" wall 1 1/4" and the rest of the cage is of .120" 1 1/2". I went the extra mile and ran the main hoop rear braces through the floor plate and attached them to another plate that ties the diff mount studs to the underfloor channel. Also the main hoop plates were drilled and plug welded to the rear subframe mounting studs.

[tinman]

Some pics after paint and some interior going back in and the lexan sunroof panel. The lexan panel saves just over 20lbs.

[Brismo7]

thats bad!


Steve

[Kevin Doe]

Wow, very nice looking cage.

[aram]

That is beautiful. Did you bend all the bars yourself or start with a kit? What did you use to make the clean cuts for the bin supports/carpet? and how did you slide the bin support/carpet so perfectly around the cage bars? There don't appear to be any slices to get them over the bars. Sorry for all the questions but its such a nice job AND you put the interior so nicely back over it.

[norotor88]

Very nice!

Jesse

[tinman]

Thanks for all the compliments guys.

Aram, the cage is custom. I made some accurate drawings for the main hoop and front bars and bent up patterns out of .25" solid round rod for the strut bars. Steve at Tubular Techniques took care of all the bending and supplied the tubing. As far as the interior, there are slits cut up to the holes and everything just took some careful planning and trimming. I had all the pieces in time or two or three before everything would fit.

The dash is in now, I'll post some more pics of it in the near future.

[tinman]

A few more pics of the interior and one of the bumpsteer adjusters. Since the rack and pinion was lowered an inch to allow the engine to move down an inch also, I should need means of adjusting the tie rod angle to eliminate or at least reduce any bumpsteer. I decided to make my own instead of purchasing. These are a little different, instead of the tapered pin that comes with the aftermarket kits, I drilled and tapped the spindle to accept a 5/8" bolt. Then out of some 7/8" octagonal bar stock I cut two pieces 2 1/4" long, drilled and tapped one end 12mm x 1.25 to accept the factory tie rod and the other 5/8 LH thread to accept the heim end.

I hope to have the engine and tranny setting back in place sometime in the next few days. Unfortunately, it will be with the same parts as last year. I'll have to wait untill this winter to go through the engine in search of more power

[frijolee]

It's about time you started a build thread! Hell I'm still in awe of those custom hood pictures from last year. Fantastic stuff.

[jelloman457]

Matt the carpet in the rear looks good. As does everything else. I will be over tonight or tomorrow night for our cuddle time.