Made my own cross chassis brace. You're gunna like this. (56k make a sandwich)

[pacecar]

and are 1/4-20 bolts strong enough? i like overkill, and bigger is usually better

[g-townmach]

Originally Posted by pacecar

and are 1/4-20 bolts strong enough? i like overkill, and bigger is usually better

The 1/4-20's were just what I used to bolt the two bottom bases to the top plate. I'm going to do a 1 piece design instead of the 3 piece so no more 1/4-20's. The brace is bolted to the car using the same holes and same bolts as the factory.

* And yes, if used the 1/4-20's would be strong enough. I had 3 on each side!!

[SamIyam]

It would be interesting to hear from the engineer that designed that part and see what he has to say about it's function.

Maybe you can do this test for us... support each one at the bolt holes and then put 200 pounds in the center. Then measure how much they deflect... and report back to us.

The ribs in the stock one tell me that it has more to do with preventing the overall piece from bending (thus preventing the sides of the tunnel from twisting in a longitudinal plane) than it does preventing each side from shifting fore and aft.

Here's something to think about... if you can bend the stock one in any particular direction, that more than likely is not the direction that the part is trying to prvent the body from moving.

Not knocking your skills as a CNC machinist... just saying that it's hard to determine if your part is an improvement, if at all, over the stock design.

It looks cool though.

Sam

[Hillbilly]

Heck with the brace,bracket,strut or what ever you call it. I'm still stuck on his avatar pic.

[g-townmach]

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Heck with the brace,bracket,strut or what ever you call it. I'm still stuck on his avatar pic.

[FEN]

Looks very good but i would like to see one with a little less "skeletonization" .....a little beefier as the weakest link looks like the four large cutouts. Would a few round holes provide greater strength than the rectangular cutouts?

[Mungo]

Originally Posted by g-townmach

Designers dream of what they need. Engineers draw what they need. Machinists build what they need. Its one thing to sit at a computer and draw parts and assemblies and say they'll work and its another to build them and actually make them work. And make a fortune???!!! I never for one second thought "hey I'm gunna sell these for outragous prices to people." I needed the part for myself so I made it. I only posted it up here to just show people what I made. Only when people said they wanted one did I think, hey, this might be a good part I can sell for FAR cheaper than a suspension company can. That's it.

Not ignoring your assessment. I agreed with you on the fact of doing and X-brace shape with the pockets. Just didn't feel like programming it since I was doing this at 9:00 on friday night.

I don't, however, agree on the justification for the NEED of more "beef." If this was the case, then nobody would upgrade their cars. Sure, you may not need more rigidity right there on the tunnel, but it still can't hurt. Obviously, I have not done extensive research and testing to base my design off of. Simply got bored and made a part. All I know, is if something appears to be a weakpoint, replace it with something better. I thought thats what all these forums and aftermarket is about... putting stuff on our cars that we don't neccessarily need, but is COOOL!

If I may be supportive. You have a great idea and great talent. The criticism you recieve should be looked at three ways: Constructive, destructive, jealousy. Take the constructive and run with it. This is a great idea you have. Tweek it. Your talent, time and value added for this product is worth something. A good product at a fair price is called Capitalism. Taking a good product and making it better is called competition. Don't give up. Thomas Edison had 3000 failed experiments before they came up with Tungsten for the light bulb. Good Luck.

[Camarorss350]

i have no clue why i would, but id definitely buy one!!!


great job man...

[PNYSLAR]

If the production begins count me in!!!!!

[adplusone]

Determine what your skills are worth...and the cost of materials...and a profit for both.

Post the price....ask for certified check or money order up front....and sell em!

[Edrock]

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Heck with the brace,bracket,strut or what ever you call it. I'm still stuck on his avatar pic.

Wow! You can say that again.

[Cacadeech]

Looks beautiful. Nice work!

[tjd24]

Count me in for the initial run g-townmach.

I've experienced the same rattle with my Solo XLT cat-back - I had a shop try to adjust the pipes / stock plate but they said if it continues to rattle I'd either need to try some welding (which I don't want to do) or another plate so your solution looks like the answer.

[Miknov]

Anytime you want to start processing orders....