My FE3 progress thread

[FE3-323]

yes sir! that would be the plan. caged 323 towing a trailer w/ my little scooter LOL

[Racerboy]

Hey Ryan, when do you plan on moving? I want a ride in this thing before you move! I'll let you drive your old 323 one last time before you move!!! I have a feeling it would be the last chance you ever will have to drive it on the road, as it's going to be taken off the streets next summer, and then eventually be turned into a race car.

[irishkev90]

I see a subliminal message in one of those pictures. Nice progress good sir. :thumbup:

Sent from my HTC Incredible using Tapatalk.

[FE3-323]

the message on the phone???

[FE3-323]

started in forming the rear cap portions........

[Racerboy]

started in forming the rear cap portions........

[ATTACH=CONFIG]52361[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]52357[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]52358[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]52359[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]52360[/ATTACH]

This might sound stupid, but is that actually even needed? I don't see any rust, and they are plenty strong there. I've had no problems there and my race car is rusty and takes one hell of a beating every race.

[FE3-323]

not technically........ but the additional support surface area & attachment points as opposed to welding just to the original thin sheetmetal make it worth while IMHO.
eventually the cap will be connected to the frame rail via cage tubing vertically. & connected together via more cage tubing (also a secondary seat latch point.

It will give me piece of mind for load on the rear struts when i pack the car full & pull a trailer with it.

[Wilyb]

Nice job on the caps and walls... gives me some ideas...I need to do same, however it is a bit more difficult with the pro...access is a bit more difficult...

[SgtRauksauff]

did you just take a bandsaw/grinder/holesaw to a plate of steel for the AC bracket? or how'd you make it?

[FE3-323]

fully waterjet cut
Starting with a "autocad" DWG file
Then converted into solidworks file.
and then converted to format the waterjet can translate..... more pictures of the strut caps tonight

[Mazda_Powered]

sexy steel

[FE3-323]

a better general idea........

[FE3-323]

holes drilled for spot weld additional strength in the plates.

started sanding down in the areas that will be welded to.
Welded on a top intercooler tab joining the hood latch support.

[SgtRauksauff]

nice FMIC mount! that and a couple other photos i've seen recently gives me a couple good ideas to make a better FMIC fit and still keep the stock bumper without cutting it.

also, one thing I've seen recommended by some cage builders, is on the top plate, there's a short section of tube (like, a cut from a truck driveshaft) that the cage stays get attached to. They liken it to a beer can. stand on top of one, it will support you. put just a little pressure on the side, and it will buckle and flatten the can.

Here's a picture of what they're talking about:


granted, I doubt you're going to rally the snot out of your car, but it's still a good practice IMO.

--sarge

[FE3-323]

the physical strength of a ring /tube is alot however its surface area to the chassis isn't. so i have some serious mixed feelings about that