Hi All!
Happy Holidays!
One of my best friends, San Diego based David Pease is
starting a frame up on a Van Diemen RF86 FF2000 to
FF1600 conversion for C Mod competition this year, and
would love some input.
Here's the situation:
he knows that most people who are road racing the VDs
have replaced the alu floorpans with steel because of
bottom intrusion whilst airborne.
Obviously in C Mod that won't be the case.
However, since he has the old floorpan off anyway,
here's the question:
GCR allows for a the floorpan to be stress bearing.
(Actually GCR requires it so).
However, there's a big difference between simply
replacing the rivet set on an aluminum floorpan, and
bonding/welding an 18ga steel floorpan in its stead.
The difference would be in the stiffness of the
chassis, resulting in a much different handling of the
car. Theoretically.
Now, a precision welding job for a new steel floorpan
would be an expensive proposition. Even an alu floorpan
welded or bonded to the frame would be quite a big deal
to keep everything lined up and absolutely straight.
So - worth the extra effort?
What would the relative benefits and liabilities be, in
the actual handling of the car?
This is a VD 86, i.e. a Swift DB1 knock-off, with the
suspension arms, push rods, etc.
Our local (west coast, San Diego area) C Mod experts
seem to be deadlocked, with opinions spread pretty much
equally for and against.
Your thoughts, gentlemen?
Thank you!
Cheers
Chris
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