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Roll cage forward tubes/engine bay

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Old 08-31-2018, 01:37 PM
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corvettedave383
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Default Roll cage forward tubes/engine bay

Roll cage forward tubes/engine bay - 1978 corvette - used on race track only

so i was thinking, since my engine was out and new lsx waiting to go in, I was considering weather there is any real benefit to putting some roll cage tube extensions into the engine bay, onto engine bay chassis legs, upto the engine mounts from my roll cage , make a triangle if you like , would it help stop or reduce front twisting when cornering hard on race track or does the shape of the chassis or engine mounted in car, all help to reduce that issue, or my full roll cage is more than enough, whats everyones thoughts on this?

blue arrow indicates where tube would start, then going forwards into engine bay chassis legs

cheers guys






Last edited by corvettedave383; 08-31-2018 at 01:56 PM. Reason: add pic
Old 08-31-2018, 01:47 PM
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sambrand
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cars including ours are designed to crumple under impact, I would be hesitant to do any mods to the roll cage that are not indicated. general advice since you forgot to mention the year.
Old 08-31-2018, 01:51 PM
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corvettedave383
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Originally Posted by sambrand
cars including ours are designed to crumple under impact, I would be hesitant to do any mods to the roll cage that are not indicated. general advice since you forgot to mention the year.
- 1978, race track only

Old 08-31-2018, 01:54 PM
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Rodnok1
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I'd definitely do it, these frames twist way too much.
Old 08-31-2018, 02:25 PM
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ahh its a custom built cage? the few ones ive worked with were the bolted ones that affix to the frame and had full lateral and vertical support. heres a kit that I think is similar to the design your going for, best of luck!

https://www.jegs.com/i/Competition-E.../3300/10002/-1
Old 08-31-2018, 03:13 PM
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corvettedave383
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Originally Posted by sambrand
ahh its a custom built cage? the few ones ive worked with were the bolted ones that affix to the frame and had full lateral and vertical support. heres a kit that I think is similar to the design your going for, best of luck!

https://www.jegs.com/i/Competition-E.../3300/10002/-1
yes custom built, thats the idea forward ones into engine bay

Last edited by corvettedave383; 08-31-2018 at 03:14 PM.
Old 08-31-2018, 04:19 PM
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redvetracr
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Originally Posted by corvettedave383
yes custom built, thats the idea forward ones into engine bay

the cage in my car (#1 below) extends all the way out to the front frame horns
Old 08-31-2018, 06:44 PM
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maj75
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You should start higher up. You got no triangulation to the forward frame from that point. There should be a bar across the dash, too. Get that useless dash out of the way and move the down tubes towards the firewall.
Old 08-31-2018, 06:58 PM
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corvettedave383
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Originally Posted by maj75
You should start higher up. You got no triangulation to the forward frame from that point. There should be a bar across the dash, too. Get that useless dash out of the way and move the down tubes towards the firewall.
ok good point, yep get a bar across dash now, i cant move the front down tubes, its all welded in there now, these ones going forward into engine bay , should finish it off nicely

thanks
Old 08-31-2018, 11:03 PM
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Gale Banks 80'
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If You can find a copy of the Chevy Power Manual from back in this Era it has drawings and surjections on how to construct a Cage. It would have a diagram showing just whats needed to answer Your original question.
Old 09-01-2018, 08:57 AM
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jim2527
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This thread has decent pictures..
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-drag-car.html

Good pics in Neil B's build thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-build-11.html

Last edited by jim2527; 09-01-2018 at 09:07 AM.
Old 09-01-2018, 11:06 AM
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gg521
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It depends upon who you will be racing with. Some vintage organizations do not allow roll cage extensions thru the firewall.
Old 09-01-2018, 11:55 AM
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Thanks for info guys, will do pics as i progress, did some one mention about a useless dash !, all gone

Old 09-01-2018, 12:21 PM
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leadfoot4
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Originally Posted by Gale Banks 80'
If You can find a copy of the Chevy Power Manual from back in this Era it has drawings and surjections on how to construct a Cage. It would have a diagram showing just whats needed to answer Your original question.


Hopefully, the file translates...


Attached Images
File Type: pdf
Corvette roll cage.pdf (569.6 KB, 68 views)
Old 09-01-2018, 01:30 PM
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Even if it had very little angle going forward it would be better than nothing. With the big vacuum canister on one side I always considered a bar going forward like you and attaching it on the rise area by the upper A-arm mounts. I did lots of the front cross over mount gusseting and around the bottom of the frame where the lower a-arms attach. On the frame it's self I welded the length.

You need to check the rule book for your side bars. Here they need to cross the shoulder at 45 degrees and they want an X in the door, or dual parallel. You need a 45 degree from the passenger side low to the top behind the drivers head.
Old 09-01-2018, 02:18 PM
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dmaxx3500
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I think the tube across the dash should be above the steering column
Old 09-01-2018, 03:04 PM
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corvettedave383
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4


Hopefully, the file translates...
ahh thats interesting, had my mate/rollcage man round today deciding what we were going to and he looked the front section, where its in your pdf, those gussets are exact what we thought would be a good idea, also my front horns, are cracked alittle on the top vertical part, so the sway has been putting alot strain on the horns, thats great info many thanks

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Old 09-01-2018, 03:06 PM
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Pop Chevy
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I ran my forward bars out through the hole for the fuse box on left and through the hole for the heater on rt. Ended them right behind the upper a arm mount as per the rule book. (SVRA).
No they are not real high but still feel they will help stiffen up the front clip.
Yes, you should box in the frame horns and tie into the front crossmember.

Last edited by Pop Chevy; 09-01-2018 at 03:08 PM.
Old 09-01-2018, 03:10 PM
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corvettedave383
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Originally Posted by gkull
Even if it had very little angle going forward it would be better than nothing. With the big vacuum canister on one side I always considered a bar going forward like you and attaching it on the rise area by the upper A-arm mounts. I did lots of the front cross over mount gusseting and around the bottom of the frame where the lower a-arms attach. On the frame it's self I welded the length.

You need to check the rule book for your side bars. Here they need to cross the shoulder at 45 degrees and they want an X in the door, or dual parallel. You need a 45 degree from the passenger side low to the top behind the drivers head.
iam going to get the forward tube going into engine bay high up, around 3 inch below bottom of window screen and then come down to frame just behind the front arms and infront of engine mounts, no point in attaching to front horns, they are just really weak looking - my side bars are fine in the UK for my track racing, if you start adding more door bars, going to be a right pig to get in and out of
Old 09-01-2018, 03:11 PM
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corvettedave383
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Originally Posted by dmaxx3500
I think the tube across the dash should be above the steering column
it could be moved, its a bolt in job there, so no big job to move


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