A few queries from a noobie :)

[2JZSS]

Hi Guys,

First off id like to say im a noobie so go easy on me! Im from qld and hopefully will be building a space frame car to run the state series and maybe a few trips down south.

The questions i have are regarding what materials are allowed to be used in space frame chassis construction? From reading the cams manual appendix J it seems that CDS, CDW and CEW seem to be CAMS favourite metals. Can i ask why chrome moly isnt included in the above metals that dont need certification? Is it due to the process used to weld chrome moly? Im assuming its along the lines of safety.

If i was to build a car out of chrome moly, does any one have a rough idea as to what the cams certification costs? And what hoops have to be jumped through in order to gain certification? Im sure a few of you guys must have been through this before.

Another question i would like to ask is what rear ends do guys run. I have seen alot of hewland transaxles used, a lola indy car rear end (i dont have the money for that!!). Does anyone run 9inch or hilux rears with 4/3 links etc. I guess it really depends on how much money you have to spend.

And my final question is what does everyone use for shocks? konis, spax, bilsteins,penske?

Im really just trying to get an idea of what everyones cars are like so i can build something thats even remotely competitive. I look forward to mashing the pedal in a sport sedan sooner rather than later :)

Thanks in advance!!

cheers

[Phast Phil]

You can build the chassis out of CM but the cage section has to be from CAMS approved material. I assume it is because CM is more brittle and prone to cracking????

I run a 9 inch rear with cambered ends available from winters in the USA. Whilst they are reliable a live axle is never quite as good as an independant.

By the time you buy a good gearbox and 9 inch the price is similar to an average transaxle but cheaper than a top notch transaxle, like hewland VGC.

There is a guy in Vic (albinsgear.com.au) making transaxels, cannot change individual gears but they are reputedly very strong. Might be worth a look. For shocks try proflex. Murray Coote makes them north of brisbane. They are top quality gas canister 3 way adjustable. Shocks are only as good as the guy that dynos them though in the end. Try someone like Glenn Seton for that.

[2JZSS]

Thanks for the reply!

I just took a look at the albins transaxles and they do look nice. If you have any websites to good gear post them up as id be interested in all of it.

Do you have an approximate cost for a set of 3 way proflex shocks? Trying to create some sort list of costs to see what im in for.

So basically the cage has to be made from CDS then the CM can be the rest of the car if wanted. I can see the logic but its kind of confusing when ANDRA let drag cars run will full CM chassis including cages etc.

Its been a child hood dream to meet Seto! Maybe i will have to enlist his services once the car is built then i can kill 2 birds with one stone!!

cheers

[profi]

2jzss check your pm

[Phast Phil]

5K for the shocks a few years ago from memory.

[Htc Motorsport]

Chrome Moly........i had my drag car chassis built in CM and really was a pain. welding bracketry etc. and with the tube being so brittle it needs to be x-rayed for cracks etc. Andra rules state that about every 3 years or so depending on usage.....or i should say its meant to be. Whether any one does i dont know.

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