914 chassis stiffening option?

sammyg2 · 11-18-2003, 08:48 AM

After reading a post in another thread by JP, a light bulb went off (dim, to be sure).

To really stiffen up a 914 chassis there seems to be only two choices readily picked, chassis reinforcing kits that basically reinforce the longs, rear suspension supports, and box in the trailing arms, or full cage.

Has anyone here ridden in or driven a 914 with a solid metal roof that was affixed in a way that would add rigidity to the chassis?

Seems to me that would be the hot setup but what do I know.

I figures it wouldn't have to be all that heavy and when welded or bolted to the roll bar/targa thingy and windshield hoop it would be very stiff. Maybe the windshield hoop flexes too much, I dunno. I know the hoops flex but I figured that was only in the front to rear direction and not torsionally.

All opinions welcomed. Tanks.

BURN-BROS · 11-18-2003, 09:58 AM

I was thinking along the same lines as you. The base of the a-pillars have to be gusseted(sp) . If you do not the windshield will break. Porsche did this with the 916.

J P Stein · 10:15 AM

B-B has it right.

I looked into tieing the windshield frame into the cage. Jon Lowe's
914 web site( a great place to view) shows what one has to go thru to strengthen it at the base....lotta work. It was done on the 914/6 GTs.

Even with the work the factory put into these cars, the windshield
popped out on occasion.....oops. That must have been unpleasant.

Long time, no lies, Sammy. How are "things"?

D7N7MASTER · D7N7MASTER's Garage

Third way - There's always viagra...

sammyg2 · 11-18-2003, 12:48 PM

Hay JP. It's been really quiet without you to yak at.

For a while I talked to myself but I don't like his additude

So, the concensus is that the winshield hoop is too weak without stiffening big time, and if we do that we need to have them windshield clips in to keep the glass from going by-by. Kinda like them NASCAR boys.
Roll cages are cool but I'm to old and fat to be climbing over or in between bars everytime I get in and out of a 914.

Tanks for the clarifications.

J P Stein · 11-18-2003, 01:04 PM

Clips?
30-40 wraps with duct tape oughta do it.....bout 2 rolls, I figure.....cheep. Leave a slit for viewing...pretend you're in an Audi TT.

I just cracked myself up.

sammyg2 · 11-18-2003, 02:36 PM

Ho boy, I caint crawl thru the bars of a full cage and you want me to try and slip in betwixt strips of duck tape without gettin all stuck? I think not.

synthesis · 11-18-2003, 02:58 PM

before you start attaching the cage to the chassis, read your rule books and know what class you want to run in.

we built a basic 8 point cage, rear tubes go thru back window to rear inner fender wells.

wasn't sure what class to run so this cage is allowed in all classes. If we had gone to the upper susp mts. and gusseted to a pillar, we couldn't run vintage class or IT.

dr