Massive Speed Race Wagon 2010 Build Coverage

Even Jefferton is coming. 

i sure wish i was closer i would love to help out.

Seam welding is an old road race/rally/autocross trick for unibody cars.  The repeated heavy stress load, particularly in the suspension pick up points, has been known to tear factory "every 4 inch" spot welds apart.  Welding everything solid drastically increases rigidity of the chassis and prevents the car from being torn limb from limb.

We cleaned the joints, welded and then sealed with spray paint to prevent rust.  We also did a little work to the (class required for F4!) dash, installing the factory cluster back in some new mounts, and making a little stainless block off plate for the airbag. 

Also spent some more time on the arduous task of sound deadening removal. 

BTW, the shock and lower subframe bolt directly below this rear wheel house.

I'm kinda dead in the water until I get a tube bender with this project...

Everything else would be better left undone until the cage is in... 

Anybody have any words to the wise on them?

Pro2 is nice...  Air operated ram standard.  180 degree bend capable

TJ Diesel is only $295, and dies are only $150.  Only does 90 degree max though. 

The Baileigh is the shit though....  $895.  Dies are $300...  Big bux.  But this is getting into real pro style tooling here.  Made right across the border in Manitowoc too.

And then the venerable JD2 Model 3.  $395 for the good kit.  Manually operated though.  Dies are around $300.  Can do $180 bends.

why spend all that green. go to harbor freight and get a cheap mauuel one. i dont think you are going to be doing that many roll cages where you need the expensive stuff.

whats wrong with this one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97468

Those Harbor Freight benders kink the tubing on the inside.  I've heard of people packing the tube with sand to prevent it, but that sounds kinda like a bit in the dick to do every time...

I dunno.  I think I could see doing a bunch of cages.  I've kinda talked myself into getting that Baliegh one.. 

A dude I know has a father that with a 67 Corvette Pro-Mod that is sponsored by them.  I think he may be able to get it for me on the super hook up dealy. 

Well hurry up, were outta shit to do until we get that cage in there...

Hopefully we can score that frame horn tomorrow so we can finish up the front and then jump on the suspension.

And then start putting the motor in, manual swap.... Ohh the possibilities.

I know someone with a tube bender and a very basic knowledge of how to use it. Reason he has it is he borrowed it to bend the roll cage for my first race car (92 Shadow) and then after 1 1/2 laps of the first race, the engine blew up. But the bender never got back to its owner, he ran out of room in his garage. If you'd like I could talk to my guy, if you were to bring your car in he might be able to help bend it for cheap. You'd need tube though. Just let me know if you want me to get in touch with him. Though I can definately see the argument for having your own bender.

Front frame horn was bent pretty good on this car (main reason I was able to obtain it for next to nothing). 

Went up to a super top secret Focus salvage yard in WI over the weekend and got all kinds of good stuff (thanx Matt!). 

Straightened the old one out first so he stub would be fairly straight to accomadate welding on the new frame horn and bumper support.

Hopefully maybe find some time this evening to attach the new one.

Trying to get those cuts to match up is a bit of a challenge... 

let me know if you plan to work on it, ill come by.

Fo sho, lets get some work done on this thing tonight!!!

You not invited YOU LAZY COCKSUCKER! 

fair enough....

Kenny, you can come.  Dhooges is not.  He assholed himself again today.  "yeah, I'll wake up early and fix the threshhold at your house I've been saying I was going to fix for 2 months".  Nigga has no job. 

No call.  What a HOSER!!!

yeah a real hoser ayyy.

what time, wey?