Gas Coupe Gussets

[FoundSoul]

If a picture is worth 1000 words I figured that wasn't enough, so here's a video 

http://youtu.be/9CHlBQuGWL0

We've got the seat moved over, and added a bar on the outside to ensure 100% of it is inside the outside plane of the cage.  We added a matching bar on the other side of my head to meet another requirement (extending the seat/structure around the seat to beyond the front of the helmet to contain my melon on the right side). 

We also added three gussets, the tube gusset behind the seat connecting the shoulder bar to the main hoop, and two more plate gussets in the 'roof to main hoop' junctions as Steve suggested.

Let me know what you think!

[Kiwi Paul]

Jerry, I congratulate you and your fab guy on a job very well done. The only things left to do that I can see are the door net and mounts, and ensure that your padding in the helmet area extends out to the front of the helmet. I really like the curved bar and extension you made for the right side in this area. I also presume you have underseat bars, and crotch belt mounting sorted out. Looking forward to seeing this one. Hope you won`t be too offended if I poke my head in if you are in Impound (I was the guy crawling over the #97 car in Impound last Speed Week.....)

[saltracer1]

Love it! Please show how you mount the window net. Phil

[MAZDA1807]

Awesome video! I only have one question, is the existing sunroof opening going to be removable? If so you might have to put an additional window net or cage structure there as well. I have seen this on other cars over the years at El Mirage and on the salt. Peter.

[FoundSoul]

Jerry, I congratulate you and your fab guy on a job very well done. The only things left to do that I can see are the door net and mounts, and ensure that your padding in the helmet area extends out to the front of the helmet. I really like the curved bar and extension you made for the right side in this area. I also presume you have underseat bars, and crotch belt mounting sorted out. Looking forward to seeing this one. Hope you won`t be too offended if I poke my head in if you are in Impound (I was the guy crawling over the #97 car in Impound last Speed Week.....)

Love it! Please show how you mount the window net. Phil

Thanks Paul and SaltRacer1!  We've ordered a triangular M&R door net that looks like it will fit nicely and fill most all of that hole.  I'll post pics when it's in. 

Awesome video! I only have one question, is the existing sunroof opening going to be removable? If so you might have to put an additional window net or cage structure there as well. I have seen this on other cars over the years at El Mirage and on the salt. Peter.

Yes the lexan will be held in by no less than 14 DZUS fasteners, so it's not easily opened, but technically can be opened.  A steel structure has been welded in place to support the DZUS's and to hold the Lexan level with the roof.  I hadn't considered needing a net up there, but it's worth a thought.  If a net is needed, I'd probably make it bolt in and not easily removable as it's not an exit path.

Kiwi Steve-- your thoughts on if that is needed please?

Here are some pictures:






There are a BUNCH more pics here:  http://www.diyautotune.com/cars/project/diyautotune_s13_240sx.htm

[NathanStewart]

If a picture is worth 1000 words I figured that wasn't enough, so here's a video 

http://youtu.be/9CHlBQuGWL0

Just watched your vid... very helpful.  What's the big tube in the drivers compartment that runs down the right side of the trans tunnel? 

Also, I think you might be confusing 'Kiwi Paul' (tech inspector who's been posting in this thread) with 'Kiwi Steve' (SCTA's head tech that you contacted via email).  I know, too many damn Kiwi's to keep track of with their funny soundin' accents. 

You'll have to contact Kiwi Steve about needing something for the sunroof.  I personally don't see why you'd need it nor have I personally seen any cars that had netting or additional structure but it's not my call as to whether or not you need it.  I mean obviously you've got bars that are over your head which are designed to support the structure of the car vertically and protect you but needing something specifically for the absence of a sunroof I'm not sure of.

[tauruck]

Nascar roof flaps would fit very well.

[FoundSoul]

If a picture is worth 1000 words I figured that wasn't enough, so here's a video  

http://youtu.be/9CHlBQuGWL0

Just watched your vid... very helpful.  What's the big tube in the drivers compartment that runs down the right side of the trans tunnel?  

Also, I think you might be confusing 'Kiwi Paul' (tech inspector who's been posting in this thread) with 'Kiwi Steve' (SCTA's head tech that you contacted via email).  I know, too many Dodge Kiwi's to keep track of with their funny soundin' accents.  

You'll have to contact Kiwi Steve about needing something for the sunroof.  I personally don't see why you'd need it nor have I personally seen any cars that had netting or additional structure but it's not my call as to whether or not you need it.  I mean obviously you've got bars that are over your head which are designed to support the structure of the car vertically and protect you but needing something specifically for the absence of a sunroof I'm not sure of.

Thanks Nathan-- I'll give Steve a call, was just leaving an opening for him or another to chime in here on the net but I'm glad to call, was tied up today with a tv shoot (no I'm not anybody special, it's a paid sponsorship of a show) or I probably would have done so today.

That huge 'stovepipe' looking tube through the passenger floorboard may be somewhat of a unique feature.  Bottom line I wanted to get the exhaust out of the back of the car for aero reasons, yet there was not going to be any way to do that unless I went through the passenger compartment-- so that's a 5" 'exhaust conduit' that I'll pass the actual exhaust pipe through.  It exits right in front of the rear axle, and it's a short run front there to get out the back.  I hadn't seen it done before but surely someone has done something similar.  As they say there's nothing new under the sun....

[Kiwi Paul]

Really, Nathan? Funny Sounding?........Perhaps I should attend Rookie (Speech...) Orientation...

[saltracer1]

any updates on the window net? Phil

[FoundSoul]

M&R was out of their black webbing and couldn't make the net in black, so they're making me one in purple now, but that delayed the whole process....

Thankfully it's only $37 for the net, just in case I hate the purple I can get another in black later . 

That net should be here any day now....

[FoundSoul]

any updates on the window net? Phil

Window net is in, here's a quick video showing how it's mounted and how it functions....

http://youtu.be/5zTwqExXt_I

[saltracer1]

Excellent! thanks Phil

[jimmy six]

Love looking at all your work....Hopefully you won't get an inspector after your first few inspections with Steve or Nathan who will want at least 200' more tubing and 30 more gussets.

Back in the day when gussest were first added they all had to be flat triangles with tubular ones not used or even recommended; same with the side helmet restraints, only flat stock was to be used inside the plane of the cage. With all the "new" protection we have for the helmets from the seat manufacturers I'm glad fitted round tubing is allowed.....Looks Good 

[FoundSoul]

Thanks - we're trying to build it such that it shows pretty clear that a lot of thought and effort went into safety, and the tech guys we have had contact with have been very helpful.  I plan to drag it to someone to pre-tech before too long as well to help find any major callouts, just gotta bolt it together so I have a semi-complete car to show them....