chassis question

[hurricane]

i was wondering how the rcr chassis would hold up in the event of a crash. after a crash how easy would it be to fix the chassis compared to other kits like mda or tonado

[Russ Noble]

They're all easy to fix.
You just write out the cheque. Same 30 second effort for all types!

Cheers

[Dutton]

For me (and only for me), this is a problem for my insurance man. Keep your ride well insured...

T.

[Big-Foot]

This represents only my opinion so take it for what it's worth...

You know - I was somewhat concerned about the "repairability" of the Monocoque chassis as well. However - I think the aircraft industry has proven that alloy monocoques are not only safer from the perspective of energy absorbsion & distribution but also repairable.. Now - that doesn't mean you're going to be able to take your RCR (or any monocoque) to just any body shop to have them repair the tub, but there are more and more body shops everyday that are becoming alloy and composite capable just to keep up with some of the new machines being sold..

Now - don't take what I said as a negative toward spaceframes. Not the case at all. Spaceframes are more easily repaired but have more of a tendancy to "telegraph" energy to areas that you'd not expect.. For instance - a head on hit to a ladder chassis on one of the two main frame rails will quite regularly "Z" the chassis - many times to the extent that repair is not feasible.

Depending on construction methods - the Semi Monocoque will/should be more rigid than a spaceframe which can bring together some of the best (strength) and worst (repairability) of both the full monocoque and Space Frame qualities..

If you take a look at the RCR tub, you'd find that much of the tub is a full .250" thick. What isn't that thick - I've measured at .187" (3/16) thick... The welding is absolutely superb and with very good penetration.
To see one in person will definately give you a very nice warm feeling...
Matter of fact - I had to check to see if I had wet myself!

[hurricane]

thanks guys for your responses. i was looking over some pics of the different chassis used in gt40 kits and was wondering about that.

[Howard Jones]

The more I think about the space frame verses the mono repair question the more I think it would be easier to fix a flat sheet mono like the RCR. I am in the process of making a set of upper A Arms for my GTD. The time it takes to properly fit the tubing is unbelievable. I have been fitting and filing and fitting for a week now and only welded up the first one today. Granted it is my first go at this but I am sure I can cut and weld up flat panels a hell of a lot quicker.

Space frame construction must be more labor intensive unless you have all the jigs. If you don't you are going to need to make them first, you really can't do it without them.

The original build jig would really make the repair a lot less costly either way. Anyway it must be less work to cut off the bent flat panels and weld on replacement panels as needed.

I do however think that you would be sending the bare or nearly bare chassis back to the manufacturer for repair if you really hurt it. He could use the manufacturing jigs and just rebuild it.

[Russ Noble]

Hurricane,

I must apoligise for my facetious and unhelpful reply.

But if you use the search feature diligently you will find this subject has been done to death..

Are you a build/fixit yourself guy or do you pay someone to do it for you? If you venture onto a race track, insurance may/will be void. If you have a coming together on the track you fix your own cars.

What's best for you is not necessarily best for someone else.

Check out this thread and do a search too What is it about the GT40 monocoque chassis?

Cheers

[hurricane]

russ i dont mind at all i deserve it for not doing a search first.

[Dean Lampe]

Don't worry Hurricane, if everyone just did the search, what would we have to talk about?