PatientZero
@restless_performance
Aren't S bends a no-no?
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Its certainly not what I would prefer.Aren't S bends a no-no?
Yes, the devil is in the details as they say. The SCCA CCR reads a lot like the tax code and just as confusing.
I was 100% sure by reading the rules that my car needed a .120 cage but a phone call to the head tech inspector said .095 was good. I didn't believe him so I made him send me an email stating it....just in case it came up later.
I have seen some pretty sketchy stuff out there for sure, I have no idea how some of it passes.FWIW, I think SCCA is very clear and lenient. I'm just a home DIY guy with some minimal fab skills (I have accumulated 4 welders) and built 3 racecars and had zero problems getting cages stamped and logbooks issued.
Lemme know the next time you're down in SoCal and you can be my guest to karate chop it into small pieces. Don't mind me videoing
I have seen some pretty sketchy stuff out there for sure, I have no idea how some of it passes.
Personally I'd rather err on the side of caution than to have something rejected and have to start all over or spend thousands on modifications to pass inspection like an earlier poster in this thread had to do.
Not to mention being responsible for someone getting hurt in a poorly crafted cage.
I'd hate to be that fabricator or the guy that signed it off. Everybody suffers there.
I read the rules, call for clarification when needed, do my very best work and follow instructions to a tee.
But that's just me...
I like to say that "I may not be the best or the brightest, but I don't know anybody that cares anymore or tries any harder than I do".The more i read what you post the more comfortable i am choosing you to do the cage. Lots of knowledge on this forum. glad i joined it
I have seen some pretty sketchy stuff out there for sure, I have no idea how some of it passes.
Personally I'd rather err on the side of caution than to have something rejected and have to start all over or spend thousands on modifications to pass inspection like an earlier poster in this thread had to do.
Not to mention being responsible for someone getting hurt in a poorly crafted cage.
I'd hate to be that fabricator or the guy that signed it off. Everybody suffers there.
I read the rules, call for clarification when needed, do my very best work and follow instructions to a tee.
But that's just me...
Back in the 90's, there was a guy in Albany who built cages as a side job, and used his day job engineering knowledge to do finite element analysis to optimize his designs. With (much) faster computers and open source FEA software nowadays, I'm wondering if more cage builders are doing something like that. Could be some knowledge to be gleaned from Formula SAE teams on FEA-based tube structure design.
Phoenix does cages, remember last year when Amy wadded up her gen4 Camaro at the runoffs? Well they built here new car (and she finished second by a fender) they built her a custom cage, she complained about hitting her head getting in the car, they put a bend in the side bar, she needed more leg room, they built it in, there are extra roof bars in case the car lands on a post, there is a whole lot to say for a custom built cage. You have basically 2 choices, (within the rules) you can buy a cookie cutter cage and build it yourself or have someone else do it, or.. and this will be a lot more expensive, have someone build a TRUE custom cage that fits you. Don't get sucked into the "custom cage" that is no better than a cage in a box, if you are paying the money it will require your participation fitting the car to you. and it won't happen over night. Compare Amy's 4th gen or Fabman's car to a cage in a box and you'll see what I mean.