Guest Anonymous Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 Well,if you saw my last post for the 'X' Reinforcement for the chassis of my 77 280Z...it won't work.There is going to be alot of things that will have to be done to the car to get it to work.So,I have come to the conclusion to put a cage in my Z.What exact point do I need for the maximun reinforcement for my Z? am using a slightly warmed over 350 but I do know that I will up the horses in the future.So,I want to go ahead and do this now.What is the most that I need to expect to pay for the installation?Thanks for anyone's help and advice.It is all appreciated! Thanks! Izzy Middleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 how much hp are looking or MAX? i would reinforce the chassis to address your max hp goals in advance. a full on cage is very costly to have someone else do, because it requires tools most of us dont have at home, like that cutting machine that notches the tubes. s and w sells a cage for a 240-260-80 for 200.00 or so, and it consists of the hoop and the tubes needed to make a cage, but it does require a lot of cutting and fitting, there are also bolt in cages from autopower and msa, they cost a lot of will still need to be cut to fit. once properly installed a cage may be all you need, it will significantly strenghten the chassis. subframe connectors would be nice too, the 280 already has pretty good channels under the floor and it wouldnt take mroe than an afternoon, some beer, and a friend or two with a welder to fab up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 I don't exactly know at this moment what kind of horsepower that I expect to pull out of that 350 when I actually sit down and plan on what I want,but I know that it will be enough to twist that stock frame out of proportion.I figure a good street/strip application in which is what I'm going for now,but just not as extreme as what money limits me to build at this moment.My uncle is building a dirt track car in which is a Ford Pinto in which he had I believe an 8 point cage installed.I don't know exactly what he paid because I haven't had a chance to ask him but I believe that it will be under $500.I do want to get this cage installed before I start remodeling the interior.The cabin of the Z at this moment is nothing but the complete dash panel and the steering wheel.So,it's like I said,I want t get some more thoughts into play about this cage.It's kind of like that 'X',it has it's pluses and minuses.Any more opinions on this are helpful.Positive or Negative ! Thanks! Izzy Middleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudge Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 From what I've seen (in larger cars though), a quality race-legal cage runs about 2k at the minimum. For a smaller car though, and surviving with less bars (how fast are you going to go?), I imagine less than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 I didn't know that there was such a thing as 'Street Legal' and 'Non-Legal' Roll Cages lol.Guess that I haven't opened my ears enough to hear that.I don't know how fast that I want to go,but I do know that I want it to be something like the Z in the front Introduction Pages of the JTR V8 Manual.The one where he has more in the cylinder heads than what most people have in their entire cars.I don't want to have that much in a set of heads,but I want it to go around his timing on the 1/4 mile,(10.90s@125 mph).I know that's fast,but I have a heavy foot and I expect that out of a V8 Z car. .But anyway,I am going to check into some prices on this cage installation before I get serious about it.Anymore advice is Appreciated!Thanks to both of you,Len and Mudge! Izzy Middleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 i was just talking to a guy who works the late shift with us at the shop, he used to do race car chassis , four link and ladder bar setups for a living, now he just does it on the side. for a twelve point that goes through the dash and all the way to the back of a z and all points in between, he quoted that he did it in the past for anywhere from 1400 to over 2k, depending on grade of steel used. he charges 120.00 an hour, 60 for him and 60 for his equipment. hes probably more expensive than usual, but hes built cars that go 9.50s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 Whew!That's a bit more than I expected.I think that I'm going to get this guy that did my uncle's Pinto to do mine if he's cheap enough.But the cage will sufficently strenghten the frame correct?I was thinking around an 8 point cage for my Z.I figure that will be enough and not cost a fortune to build.But,like I said,I'm still thinking Thanks! Izzy Middleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 yes, an eight point will tie the frame very nicely, i dont think you would have to do anything else. then it would be time to start breaking driveline parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 28, 2002 Share Posted December 28, 2002 You've got a point there.It would break it all wouldn't it .I don't want to destroy my Z,just make the Datsun car enjoy a life of quick takeoffs and high speed driving. Thanks! Izzy Middleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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