How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding?

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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:36 AM
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Default How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding?

I want to make my EG hatch more rigid. I've heard of autocross guys welding plates in or something on the chassis to accomplish this. My question is where do I weld, what do I weld in, and what kind of welds do I use. I want to make it so theres is as little chassis flex as possible. I know there are bars that are available(strut bars, tie bars) but assuming I've already done all those bars.

I'd also like to know where the weak points of the EG chassis is and where it will need the most reinforcements. Thanks.

-Swift, out.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:38 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (SwiftTone)

Weld in a cage.

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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:41 AM
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you could seam weld the entire car
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:46 AM
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Default Re: (egsleepercivic)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by egsleepercivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you could seam weld the entire car </TD></TR></TABLE>

What is that...?
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:47 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (EX_AutoXer)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Weld in a cage.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Caging is not an option. Its a daily driver and I dont want to have to get racing seats and a harness.

And also, I'm looking for a cheap way to do this.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:50 AM
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Default Re: (SwiftTone)

it is when you weld all the seams in the unibody, it is supposed to stiffen the car a lot, drift cars and most production race cars do this
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:52 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (SwiftTone)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SwiftTone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Caging is not an option. Its a daily driver and I dont want to have to get racing seats and a harness.

And also, I'm looking for a cheap way to do this.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You don't have to have racing seats to run a cage. And if you're looking for some cheap way to magically stiffen up your chassis, it's not going to happen. Cage is the easiest and most cost effective way.

For a dialy driver, you shouldn't be maxing out your chassis anyway. While my chassis isn't rock solid, I still have yet to do any extreme measures to stiffen it, and it sees track duty every weekend there's no snow on the ground (and even some weekends when there is).

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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:54 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (SwiftTone)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SwiftTone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Caging is not an option. Its a daily driver and I dont want to have to get racing seats and a harness.

And also, I'm looking for a cheap way to do this.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Then you're **** outta luck buddy...sorry.

Get really stiff suspension...that should be enough for ya.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 10:27 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (EX_AutoXer)

As mentioned above....

IT'S CALLED STITCHING... and it is CHEAP as long as you do it yourself...

You run welds across the seems of the unibody like this..

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

where the ---- are the unibody seam and the /// are the welds running across them...

You don't really even need that many... although too few is all but pointless...

The Type R has welded seams as well as the 2005 Legacy Gt... it's done by TONS of manufacturers for their performance line of cars as well as their factory race cars... like porsche.

Although I question how you know you need increase chassis rigidity... What suspension upgrades do you have as of now...

Chances are your looseness is a result of a loose suspension not chassis.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 11:16 AM
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Do a simple 6 point cage, stiff suspension and see how you like it.

No need to go all out at once, do a little by little and determind how far you want to go base on improvements.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 11:20 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (SwiftTone)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SwiftTone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Caging is not an option. Its a daily driver and I dont want to have to get racing seats and a harness.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If it's a daily driver you don't need the kind of stiffness you're looking for.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And also, I'm looking for a cheap way to do this.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Problem number two, right there. Everyone wants it cheap, easy and effective. Not possible. Two of three, people; two of three.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 11:32 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (Archidictus)

sounds like a good idea to stiffen up the chassis. does anyone have pics of the unibody area welded ?
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 11:35 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (EX_AutoXer)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You don't have to have racing seats to run a cage. And if you're looking for some cheap way to magically stiffen up your chassis, it's not going to happen. Cage is the easiest and most cost effective way.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

When you have a cage but not harnesses, and you get into an accident, you are not secure enough, you can crack your head open against the cage. That is why I dont want to just get a cage and not get seats and harnesses. Its either everything(cage, seats and harness) or nothing(just seat belts)
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 11:36 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (BauleyCivic)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BauleyCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Then you're **** outta luck buddy...sorry.

Get really stiff suspension...that should be enough for ya.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I already have a stiff suspension. And I am talking about chassis flex. Thanks.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 11:39 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (NonovUrbizniz)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NonovUrbizniz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As mentioned above....

IT'S CALLED STITCHING... and it is CHEAP as long as you do it yourself...

You run welds across the seems of the unibody like this..

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

where the ---- are the unibody seam and the /// are the welds running across them...

You don't really even need that many... although too few is all but pointless...

The Type R has welded seams as well as the 2005 Legacy Gt... it's done by TONS of manufacturers for their performance line of cars as well as their factory race cars... like porsche.

Although I question how you know you need increase chassis rigidity... What suspension upgrades do you have as of now...

Chances are your looseness is a result of a loose suspension not chassis.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My suspension upgrades are Apexi full coilover. Strut bars front and rear, sway bars in the spring.

Could you provide some pictures? It will give me a better visual image and would be very helpful. Where are the seams/stitch welds on the Type-R. couple of my friends have Rs and I could climp under and take a look. Thanks.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 11:45 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (SwiftTone)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SwiftTone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

My suspension upgrades are Apexi full coilover. Strut bars front and rear, sway bars in the spring.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm still not sure why you need to stiffen the chassis; but I can tell you with that set up, you won't be able to tell much difference in the stiffness because your suspension is far from optimized.

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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 11:55 AM
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A related question: are frame locks a gimmick or do they actually make a difference?

Example of what I am talking about:
http://www.hondatuningmagazine...honda/
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 12:01 PM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (SwiftTone)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SwiftTone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When you have a cage but not harnesses, and you get into an accident, you are not secure enough, you can crack your head open against the cage. That is why I dont want to just get a cage and not get seats and harnesses. Its either everything(cage, seats and harness) or nothing(just seat belts)</TD></TR></TABLE>

It is more complicated than what you just said. But that's another issue.

I doubt you can see spot/seam welds just from going under or inside the car. Last time I saw a stitch weld Corolla (AE86), it was a bare chassis, on jack stands and the stitch welds were done at the fire wall area, front engine pit... well, basically, where two piece metals come together, that seam has been reinforced with very close spot welds. And while they were at it, they checked for chassis rust and whatnot, not sure if they acid dip the chassis after. I am just afraid if this level of mofidication is needed for your daily driver. I understand your persuit in this car hobbie thing, but maybe this is a little too far fetch.

Not holding you back or anything.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 12:04 PM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (EX_AutoXer)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You don't have to have racing seats to run a cage. And if you're looking for some cheap way to magically stiffen up your chassis, it's not going to happen. Cage is the easiest and most cost effective way.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

my friend just put a roll cage in his CRX and it made a big difference before he even bolted it down. cheap, quick, and easy.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 08:47 PM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (SwiftTone)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SwiftTone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I already have a stiff suspension. And I am talking about chassis flex. Thanks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

How stiff? I bet you don't.
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Old Mar 1, 2005 | 09:37 PM
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seam welding. put a 1" bead of weld along the seams of the body, leaving 1" bare in between. look for pannels that are already welded and just add more.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 07:12 AM
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Default Re: (Turbo E 604)

Does anyone have pictures of seam welds?
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 08:11 AM
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ok normally the body pannels are spot welded right? you're just increasing the amount of spots that are welded. more contact = more rigid.


note the short beads of weld and the gaps.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 08:25 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (SwiftTone)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SwiftTone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Caging is not an option. Its a daily driver and I dont want to have to get racing seats and a harness.</TD></TR></TABLE>
If you don't need a cage, then you don't need chassis stiffening. It's pointless.

I am failing to understand your strange priorities here.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 08:38 AM
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Default Re: How to make the chassis more rigid? Welding? (Targa250R)

When i went to jack the back of the car up for the first time (with no side bars either) i started jacking on one side and the whole back came up together. There is no need to use another jack stand. I put one under there just in case tho
Cant get any more rigid than that.



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