STeveD
12-19-2013, 01:19 AM
Cages are things you want to do once, the right way. It's not like suspension where you can progress from Spring/Strut combo, to HSD, to Hotbits to AST/Motons and sell the previous purchase. I don't know if the future of this car will always be tarmac... so I'm keeping my options open. After install, I'll have CASC-OR and RSO/CARS scrutineers logbook the cage. A Custom Cages Step 3 FIA homologated and MSA compliant cage (http://www.customcages.co.uk/Rollcage/LoadRollCage.castle?manufacturer=Subaru&model=Impreza GDB Step 3&type=2006 Int) weighing 44.4kg with all bars, gussets and plates. Hey, the cage cost was even 10% off in the early fall with a reasonably favourable CAD:EUR exchange rate!
Any welder will tell you that MIG is as strong as TIG when done right, but TIG ensures a good clean root weld. (http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/tech_tips/TIG_tips/benefits.html) TIG takes about 30% longer than MIG, so it adds to the install time. This design ties in the front strut towers and gussets every critical X joint. The CARS rulebook actually states a preference for heliarc welding. If you take a look at the extra straight bar from the top of the A pillar to the bottom, that's one of the critical additions that rally car scrutineers insist on in a modern cage.
http://www.customcages.co.uk/Images/700/528//Assets/Products/Subaru%20Impreza%20GDB%20Step%203/subaruimprezagdbstep3.jpg
CanJam Motorsports removed the roof panel spot welds as well for the installation to give the welder good access for the TIG welds and to push the cage to the roof limits. Front and rear glass removed, doors removed, engine removed, etc. Frank Sprongl of Fourstar Motorsports is installing the cage. I've long respected his welding, but what sealed the choice for me was sitting in Jim Kenzie's Targa Newfoundland rock modified Mini (http://thestar.blogs.com/kenzie/images/2008/09/18/mini_crash_2.jpg) and from the driver's seat, everything looked perfect and composed. As long as you didn't check the rear view mirror. :p There was no intrusion to the occupant area and you'd swear from the driver's seat that the car was ready to drive to the next stage.
http://caslube.com/rally/stiimages/IMG_00000438.jpg
http://caslube.com/rally/stiimages/IMG_00000439.jpg
So, thar she sits, perfectly leveled, with turn around before January. Inflexible chassis (and 1% change in wastegate duty cycle to compensate for the extra weight) here we come!
Any welder will tell you that MIG is as strong as TIG when done right, but TIG ensures a good clean root weld. (http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/tech_tips/TIG_tips/benefits.html) TIG takes about 30% longer than MIG, so it adds to the install time. This design ties in the front strut towers and gussets every critical X joint. The CARS rulebook actually states a preference for heliarc welding. If you take a look at the extra straight bar from the top of the A pillar to the bottom, that's one of the critical additions that rally car scrutineers insist on in a modern cage.
http://www.customcages.co.uk/Images/700/528//Assets/Products/Subaru%20Impreza%20GDB%20Step%203/subaruimprezagdbstep3.jpg
CanJam Motorsports removed the roof panel spot welds as well for the installation to give the welder good access for the TIG welds and to push the cage to the roof limits. Front and rear glass removed, doors removed, engine removed, etc. Frank Sprongl of Fourstar Motorsports is installing the cage. I've long respected his welding, but what sealed the choice for me was sitting in Jim Kenzie's Targa Newfoundland rock modified Mini (http://thestar.blogs.com/kenzie/images/2008/09/18/mini_crash_2.jpg) and from the driver's seat, everything looked perfect and composed. As long as you didn't check the rear view mirror. :p There was no intrusion to the occupant area and you'd swear from the driver's seat that the car was ready to drive to the next stage.
http://caslube.com/rally/stiimages/IMG_00000438.jpg
http://caslube.com/rally/stiimages/IMG_00000439.jpg
So, thar she sits, perfectly leveled, with turn around before January. Inflexible chassis (and 1% change in wastegate duty cycle to compensate for the extra weight) here we come!