Tube Chassis...
 

Just wanted to start some research and was wondering if anyone knew if there were plans online for building a tube chassis DSM or where you usually find information on building tube chassis'?

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

I don't think there's any plans out there, every one is custom to the car. You'd be better off reading up on the NHRA rules for a specific ET certification and then look at a CAD modeling program. Vassil Vutov on here has built one, he could give you all the details and pitfalls. It's a very large and expensive project.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Thanks. I have both Autocad 2009 and Solidworks at my disposal so after i look into this more im going to try and draw up some plans. Ive kinda been planning a project like this to do after i get all settled after moving to MN.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

just make sure you can complete it in the end and not left or sold

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

surely this is a joke post

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Actually its not.

And I would not end up selling the chassis. This is a project that will be a couple years of work and will definitely be a fun thing to do with my son. Ive actually wanted to do this for quite a long time. But have never had the garage space to do it.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Did vassil ever finish the project? I saw pictures of it on dsmtuners.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

I have first dibs on it if it does get sold..:D

This is kinda a long read but none the less damn interesting..

http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=271163

For working at a junk yard and whipping this up from scratch he did a good job IMO. I would have used a little thicker material for the strut tower bracing but thats just me.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Do you understand the committment of time, materials, and equipment for a project of this scope?

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Well if you do indeed decide to go through with this, do something unique.

Why go through all the work to end up with a friggin mitsubishi at the end?

Building a car from scratch means you can think outside the box.

Something like what this guy (18 years old) did. Couldnt afford an Ariel Atom so he built his own. http://www.flickr.com/photos/25435483@N00/

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Tom, you surely have not been around enough purpose built race cars to understand what you are talking about.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Yes i do. I know it will be years before completion, but it will be fun and in the end i know i will have no regrets, and this will likely be my last project. Hell what would be next a freakin jet engine.

What can i say, im a glutton for punishment. I have had three DSMs and really loved them all. Each of them has been faster and more power and more mods.
After I sold all of the parts off my latest dsm instead of keeping them and using them on a future project i wanted to start all new and go really really big.

This wasnt a thread about whether or not i can do it, but looking for information on tube chassis.
By the way, by makeing a statement you are just setting yourself up to eat your own words, and believe me i will quote this post when it actually does get finished. Just because you believe you dont have the capacity to do it has no bearing on me and my abilities.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Why do you want a tube chassis car?

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

I am also looking to build a tube frame car in the somewhat near future. This is going to be a daunting task for me and I have a wee bit more experience than you Tom. There is a LOT more to this than most people think. It would be a lot better if you start off with a kit car. Check out Factory Five and their GTM or their roadster. If you are looking for AWD I haven't see any decent kit cars with it, that is why I want to build a tube frame car. Mine isn't going to be a DSM though, I am looking at a '67 Chevy II with a chevy trailblazer SS drivetrain, then turbo the LS2.

If you are serious, then work your way up to a real car. I would build a go-kart for the kid, that will let you get your feet wet and do a ton of research before starting. You are going to need a tubing bender, notcher, MIG, TIG and plasma cutter before thinking about starting and you need to be able to run all of the above well. A mill and lathe would be extremely helpful also.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Vassil was bulding a tube chassis 1g and in the same garage tim was building a tube chassis evo. Tim sold his half done but vassil bought a house and moved the car and is still getting finished

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

I actually got to thinking about what you guys were saying, Especially SuperBleeder. Im thinking about maybe just completly doing something new. But still having the 4g63 and donor parts from an eclipse. This way i will have a car that will not only be driven on a track but on the weekends. Maybe later on i could look at building a dragger.
Ive definitely got some planning and designing ahead of me.
Thanks for getting the wheels turning guys. I think i am heading down the right path now toward making myself much more happier with the end result.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

What about some of those kit cars that are pretty sweet. Like the Corvette based ones. That'd be a huge project, be somewhat unique, and most of the engineering work has already been done for you. But there's still so much assembly work to be done, it'd still be a huge project that'd you'd feel very proud of in the end.

Re: Tube Chassis...
 

Im really in no hurry, when i plan something truely unique, i mean it. really nothing like it on the road. And the only way to actaully truely be unlike anything is to design it completly to your own spec. If it takes 5 years, thats what it takes, if it takes 10. well i guess it will be a nice midlife crisis car. :) Its a lot like the rat rods, or the custom choppers, but a sports car. Basically same logic.