Xtreme Bracing regardless of weight- Share your thoughts

[shizzzon 461]

Well, because i will be removing the weight issue in my car soon, nothing stands in my way now for my next build so i need anyone's opinions on the strongest build u can think of.

Any negative thoughts about any methods is 100% welcome as i don't want something that will fail.

Here is one method i have been thinking about but remember, i'm looking for the best option(within costs, hehe, dont wanna spend several grand on an enclosure)

Option1-

Lay 2x4s on their side(so 3.5" thick) all the way around the car.

Then inside of this chamber, lay 1 layer of 3\4" Oak inside.

Install Angle Iron outside of the enclosure and weld 1\8" thick steel bars to all corners of the Angle Iron and run them around the enclosure.

Secure the welded frame to the car.

Got any other ideas? I like to keep total thickness under 4.5"

[kirill007 52]

Concrete?

EDIT: you said extreme...

Edited April 18, 2010 by kirill007

[shizzzon 461]

i'm afraid concrete will crack because it's so brittle. I was thinking of using concrete bricks from Lowes u use in your backyard but am afraid it may crack overtime.

[shizzzon 461]

I have also thought about using sand but do not know if sand is stronger than oak or 2x4s comparing thicknesses.

[kirill007 52]

Sand will not help a lot.

But yes, you're first plan is the best.

Use a lot of 2x4's to build the frame, and then lay a piece of oak in it.(and then maybe resin and fiberglass.)

[The enD 467]

Metal cage

[shizzzon 461]

i've got a debate goin on about the inside smoothness right now.

A longterm competitor told me resin and sanding was the best method of smoothness and reflective properties...

What i don't understand is why can't a lay a layer of 1\8" thick Lexan inside of the enclosure?

It won't break. It wont crack and is pretty damn smooth and reflective.. and more consistently smooth than sanding is.

[kirill007 52]

You can make the resin more smoot then a lexan sheet.

If you polish it after using sanding paper.

EDIT: but i don't think it will affect the score more then 0.1Db.

Edited April 18, 2010 by kirill007

[shizzzon 461]

Metal cage

i was thinking of using 1\8" thick steel all the way around and angle iron on the corners.

Of course though, a cage only helps on the areas that it is attached at to the enclosure.

[shizzzon 461]

You can make the resin more smoot then a lexan sheet.

If you polish it after using sanding paper.

EDIT: but i don't think it will affect the score more then 0.1Db.

but 0.1db is a lot when approaching the 160range.

Ok then.. I see serious competitors keep resining and sanding over and over again til their score just doesnt increase anymore.

I guess i should stick to resining then.

[kirill007 52]

You can make the resin more smoot then a lexan sheet.

If you polish it after using sanding paper.

EDIT: but i don't think it will affect the score more then 0.1Db.

but 0.1db is a lot when approaching the 160range.

Ok then.. I see serious competitors keep resining and sanding over and over again til their score just doesnt increase anymore.

I guess i should stick to resining then.

If you're already in 160range then it probably won't even help for 0.1db.

[shizzzon 461]

I'm not now, no where near, i'm just a couple db over a 150 right now... but the goal for the end of this year is a 160.

Actually my goal is over a 160 just for the fact that i dont wanna get a 160 and say i'm done competing.. I just wanna excel.

[The enD 467]

Metal cage

i was thinking of using 1\8" thick steel all the way around and angle iron on the corners.

Of course though, a cage only helps on the areas that it is attached at to the enclosure.

Yeah but you can use more and seldom "ribs"

You get the idea.

That way the box will be supported all the way around and with the ribs being more closer to each other the less weak points will be.

[shizzzon 461]

do i gotta put a lock on it? hehe

u think 1\8" thick steel is enough?

[The enD 467]

do i gotta put a lock on it? hehe

u think 1\8" thick steel is enough?

Here I can't reply as I have no experience in this. I was just giving you some ideas as I once thought making a wall and asked around what should I do.

A friend of mine that has being competing for 13 or so year advised me that the best way will be to do a cage and then build the box/wall inside it.

I've seen two wall builds done with a cage. One is in progress in Build Logs I cant recall thread name but he is using Sundown, one is already done by Blade Ice from UK and he has a build log here with TONS of pics and I am sure he won't ignore your PM's with questions.

Hope I helped.

PM: If you can't find the two threads shoots me a PM. (master seacher )

[shizzzon 461]

i believe those who use cages use 1" square tubing