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I'm wondering if the inner panel gussets on 97-01 Integras (94-96 did not have them) are necessary to keep in place when adding a full roll cage. I believe they were added in 97 for additional side impact protection. I removed mine to aid in gutting the interior in preparation for the roll cage and was planning to put them back in, thinking they would add chassis stiffness. But now I'm wondering if they are redundant, since the car is getting a full cage...plus, they're pretty dang heavy. Anyone have any thoughts? If you have a 97-01 Integra with a cage, did you leave them or remove them? The pieces in question are items 33, 34 and 35 in the below parts diagram (gusset right, gusset and gusset left). Thank you!
They are heavy and it is also the difference for the weight increase between the 96 and 97 Civic's. 97 gained this same type of support for side impact. It does tie in a huge portion of the car, I considered making one out of tubular steel and adding tabs to bolt it along the way but I'm not sure it would be any more structural or save weight.
We removed it all from our 99 Civic. Cage is 90% done now, but will be adding a bar across the bottom of the main hoop, connecting each side of the car together. Its lighter then what Honda had, and ties into the cage at the same time. Added work for Minimal savings lol.
Just an update: I dropped the car off at the cage builder's shop yesterday. He asked if I wanted to keep them in place, so I asked for his opinion. He said he could leave them and work around them if I wanted, but he prefers to remove them to get some of the bars and bracing closer in the corners and for more clearance for some of the lower bars extending rearward. So, after I spent too much time hunting down all the correct bolts and getting the gussets fitted back into the car, they're coming back out! He said he honestly doesn't think they are necessary once the cage is in place. Plus, there will be bars in place of the gussets.....and lots and lots of other bars!
I can see with some cages where leaving the gussets in place could be beneficial, but with enough bars/bracing/support in the correct areas, they could easily become redundant and in the way of the cage itself.
I wanted to give an update, since the outcome changed from my last post. Thanks again for everyone's input...I appreciate it!
02-16-2017, 04:06 AM
2000 Integra Gussets w/ Roll Cage
