The big chop

[Trackdayguy]

We currently have this is our shop. As you can see it got hit very hard in left hand front corner. Originally we had thought of a new paneled frame from CC, but decided with a long fromt. Also decided we are only going to the left front corner. More pictures arriving shortly.Going to cut it down the center of the triangulation.



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Edited by Trackdayguy on Tuesday 26th March 14:29

[Turn7]

Without going on a proper jig, is it possible to just weld that section on and still have a good handling car ?

Serious question ?

[Trackdayguy]

Good question. It will go on a frame. We are only going to replace the LH front corner, although the right upper tube has a small bend in it, it will straighten.

More pictures will follow when we cut it later in the week.

[mic]

If that's a picture of the damaged chassis at the very least it needs complete long front, you can see the top rails are bent !!

[Trackdayguy]

They will straighten no problem. The less that chopped of the better, according to Bruce at Arch Motors

[DCL]

With that amount of damage on both sides, it will spring 'open' and be difficult to pull together in good alignment. You really need to go back to a totally undamaged section of chassis. The problem is that tubes stretch as they bend and there's a risk they will never go back to their original position - I would have thought it was easier to replace the whole front.

[downsman]

If I was going to drive the car, I would be much happier if the whole front section was replaced. There is no way that those tubes will be as strong after straightening even if they will straighten exactly which I very much doubt.

[Glug69]

If you have the long front, why wouldn't you replace all of it rather than the left corner?

[Trackdayguy]

Because according to Bruce the structural integrity of the car is better with the least changes, Why cut something out if it can be repaired.

[Trackdayguy]

Its all square and lined up, corner section gets welded in tomorrow.

[F355GTS]

It was always said that a car with a new long front was stronger than an original

[BertBert]

Trackdayguy said:

Good question. It will go on a frame. We are only going to replace the LH front corner, although the right upper tube has a small bend in it, it will straighten.

More pictures will follow when we cut it later in the week.

Is the frame you mention, the black and decker workmate in the picture?

[Trackdayguy]

F355GTS said:

It was always said that a car with a new long front was stronger than an original

I think the guys at Arch might disagree. Still this isn't about who's right or wrong. New Part gets tacked in this morning, more pics soon.

[pikeyboy]

BertBert said:

Trackdayguy said:

Good question. It will go on a frame. We are only going to replace the LH front corner, although the right upper tube has a small bend in it, it will straighten.

More pictures will follow when we cut it later in the week.

Is the frame you mention, the black and decker workmate in the picture?

Its hardly the T slotted steel bed plate used at arch which they clamp the chassis down to and check it for straightness. I would have thought there is more chance of getting one side missaligned by doing it the way you have, rather than fitting the complete long front and spigotting it at the joint point to ensure everything is true which is how arch do it when they swap them.

[Trackdayguy]

Car is within 1/32 diagonal front to rear, level at the rear, in the middle & at the front. Its all tacked up, big weld on Monday. Done this a few times now. This is the simplest solution as it saves approx 20 hrs in additional dismantling and refitting, as well as the chassis remaining most of its original structural integrity.

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Edited by Trackdayguy on Saturday 30th March 01:17

[mickrick]

That's a pretty impressive job. It's amazing how much better they look once all the shyte has been stripped off. Well done I say
By the way, what's that bit of kit in the background?

[Trackdayguy]

HI Mick

Thanks for the encouragement. We are very pleased with how this project has worked out. The frame is now all welded together, level and square within acceptable tolerances, in fact closer than a stock undamaged car that came in the shop today.

So, the moral of the story is dont listen to all the fear mongers who are full or reasons why it cant be done.

So, NO you dont need a gig to fix a damaged car, just a tape measure, piece of chalk string and an accurate spirit level and some IQ will get it done.

The machine is a CNC MultiCam Plasma Cutter.

Edited by Trackdayguy on Tuesday 2nd April 05:30

[kitcat7]

Well done, a nice job Terry. I find it amazing how many doom mongers there are around. You have been 'playing' with Sevens for as long as I can remember so there is no good reason why you can't do an excellent job - which you have. I'll look forward to seeing pictures of the complete car ready to go.

[Glug69]

Looks good, still think it would have been easier to weld on the front section as a unit from the start of the damaged section forward, not sure how it can be less structurally sound than a tube that has been straightened.

[Trackdayguy]

Thanks

Yea, well I guess we all have different ways of killing the cat.

The new long front from Caterham when it was taken out the box was close to 3/32 out of square, and the sides were an 1/8 different in height. Its import that we dont become blinded by our affection of these cars, regarding how perfect they are, the reality is they aren't