put a v8 in my pinto. was wondering if anybody has did frame reinforcement? if so can you explain im running about 400hp with a t5. thanks for any info. terry
With that much power you need at least a six point cage and if you add a bar from the front spring eye area of the rear spring to the front sub rails and tie it all together you'll be fine. Instead of cutting the floor put the frame connector as close as you can get it and weld tabs from it to the floor, you can even double washer the floor to the tabs instead of welding.
Grumpy 8)
Quote from: Grumpy on February 13, 2011, 07:56:07 PM
With that much power you need at least a six point cage and if you add a bar from the front spring eye area of the rear spring to the front sub rails and tie it all together you'll be fine. Instead of cutting the floor put the frame connector as close as you can get it and weld tabs from it to the floor, you can even double washer the floor to the tabs instead of welding.
Grumpy 8)
What do you mean by double washer the floor? Are you saying one on top and one on bottom to sandwich the sheet metal floor?
I know that on my Pinto, it came with a 6pt cage partialy installed, I finished it by installing the rear supports and bolting it together with 1/4 inch plate with a 6" square with 4 bolts per plate to sandwich the floor to at least meet SCCA and NHRA specs at least 5 years ago. You bring an interesting point about connecting the font bars to the main hoop instead of a subframe connector. I was thinking of doing both at best, but at least put on a subframe connector to minimize flex. Even with the cage, I do get some flex in the body at the moment and have seen my floor flex a little from the cage when jacked on one corner only.
Apparently, I have more reading & research to do in regards to the frame support etc.
I built several V8s back in the 70s and never did any frame connections. Never had any problems.
My thoughts (back then) were Maverick & Comet had 302s and no frame. Pinto was lighter & much the same build so should be OK.
Not the case ?
If a person adds all kinds of cages/frame connections then the weight soon will exceed that of a Maverick or Comet.
Sort of defeats the reason to go with a light car ?
vonkysmeed
The last V8 Pinto I had(many moons ago)had a hoop, the side bars were triangulated about 2/3 the way up the hoop, with the front one being curved down the side of the seat and then forward, with gussets between it and the subframe connector connected by tabs(L shaped)on top and bottom of the floor connected by double steel washers on a bolt. We later cut discs of rubber and put them on the top and bottom tabs. That car had a 351 cleveland, 4000 rpm stall converter on a powerglide and 4.56 gears(IE almost totally unstreetable) and would plant the bumper on street tires if you weren't judicious with the launch(finally had to put wheely bars on it and take it off the street. I sold it soon after). The point is if you tie every piece firmly together and try to triangulate as much as you can a six point and frame connector will work well up to about 500 HP. It is the minimum from a safety standpoint(even on the street)for any high powered car. After that a full cage is needed.
That's part of why my philosophy for this car is manageable power(~250-300), low end torque, quiet running, manual gearbox, huge brakes and excellent handling are my goals(everything the 351 was not). The motor I have chosen is technically a Ford(Rover was owned by Ford at the time it was manufactured, as was Volvo and Jaguar), I chose it for it's V8 architecture and sound, weight(actually less that a iron headed 2.3), 190 HP and 250 torque easily improved with cam to the 250 range, etc. and the fact it looks a lot like a Boss 302 doesn't hurt. A shaker hood may be in it's future. 250+ HP in a 2200 lb car. Ought to be quick enough.
Then there is the Cobra IRS. 3.55 posi 8.8. Hot rodders already use Mustang II suspensions in front, there are huge brakes, coil overs,sway bars, etc. to suit any budget in performance and looks but that log most cars drag around in the rear just doesn't appeal to me and front wheel drive is for weenies(IMHO). Besides, it will be so cool pussyfooting around in in a Pinto that can outrun(if necessary and appropriate)a new Mustang!
Grumpy 8)