stony Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 anyone know if teh spare tire well provides any chassis strength??? if it does how do i need to beef it up to install a fuel cell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 I would say for sure it provides stiffness to the whole rear of the car. Hatchbacks are notoriously flexable. If you are going to install a cell, just remember triangles are your friends, and concentrate on beefing up the area at the base of the strut towers... thats likely where you'd feel it if was too flexable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 I seriously doubt it adds any strength to the chassis. I took one look at mine and wipped out the sawzall! Besides, if you are installing a fuel cell you will likely need to weld in some brackets to mount it with. Just about any bracket welded in should increase the strength of body back there. But talk to some other guys here who have done it too. Mike Kelly and Terry Oxendale come to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 I welded in a box inplace of the spare wheel well. Made it out of 18 gauge sheet metal, so it's nice and strong. Any unibody car uses every part of the body for structural integrity, so I wasn't going to take the chance. The new box is quite a bit heavier than than the spare well, so that is a major drawback. Let m e know if you're interested in seeing pictures...I can email. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 I would like to see those pics Tim! Jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmanadam Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 Tim, I would like to the pictures. Thanks Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 Here is a link to my pics: http://members.home.net/zcarphotos/djproj_psweb1/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted October 8, 2001 Share Posted October 8, 2001 You'll find that above the rear there's a boxed steel fram piece. To mount my cell they welded angle iron from it to the frame piece at the back of the car. Cell mounted on that using "ears" to suspend it. Not sure there's much support from that tire well but the framing installed should add support. It's not much different on my car than I've seen on others in pics (shrug). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted October 8, 2001 Author Share Posted October 8, 2001 id like to see pics of the mod. id like to see any other rol bar installs too thanks just email them to me ;> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.