Spaz Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Is it rare to have a complete round tube chassis? the resason I ask is I see this car is for sale http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/classifieds/1518/ and the owner thinks it is very special that it is all round tube. Also all the body panel can be removed, I though that added rigidity to the frame? http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/media/img/classifieds/7_049___t200.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/44365211@N02/sets/72157622615937015/with/4078434104/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Looks fun... but a bit of an exageration as a stock 2000 R1 motor is more like 135-145HP at the crank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Is it rare to have a complete round tube chassis? IIRC the Atom is all round tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) The main advantage of circular tubing is that it tends to be stronger per unit weight when used for a space frame chassis. However, depending on the loading conditions, there can be some places where square or rectangular tubing is the better choice. Strength characteristics of round and square metal tubing depend on diameter, wall thickness and type of metal. In general, it's easier to fabricate with square tubing because it does not take as long to miter all the joints. However, circular does tend to bend better. All of this is a moot point though, if the engineering that went into designing the chassis isn't sound. I'm not saying that it isn't...but it's something to think about. I will say that the fabrication work on that car appears to be very good. Not quite sure how I feel about those paddle shifters or diffuser though. It also puzzles me why some of the tubing appears to be painted and some doesn't. As far as bodywork adding structure to the car - that depends on the material, thickness, fastening and the design of the frame. I wouldn't count on bodywork helping a lot unless you have something similar to a Lotus S2 chassis which practically bends under it's own weight. Edited March 31, 2010 by TheDingo8MyBaby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I wouldn't count on bodywork helping a lot unless you have something similar to a Lotus S2 chassis which practically bends under it's own weight. The Elise bodywork is 100% non structural. It does not even serve as crash protection because there is a separate crash structure bonded to the front of the chassis. The bodywork is purely for aero and to make it look good. Also while the chassis is very light (~160 lbs) it is immensely stiff ad strong which is why the bodywork is non-structural. Edit: I just realised you meant the S2 Seven - I'm used to the Federal Elise been referred to as the S2 which is why i posted the above. My bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Edit: I just realised you meant the S2 Seven - I'm used to the Federal Elise been referred to as the S2 which is why i posted the above. My bad Sorry, I did mean S2 seven. I should have clarified. The point I meant to make is that fiberglass and thin gauge aluminum will add relatively little to the structure of a reasonably design space frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 "Hi, first let me start by saying this IS NOT a kit car or locost. It is a complete running driving Lotus Super Seven inspired replica." douche. w/ a bike engine its a Locost or a replica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) For what it is worth, Paul Petrun the owner posts on here under profile name Paulmpetrun. Whatever you want to call it, I like the look of the workmanship. From previous posts and the pics it looks like he has only just finished construction. Edited April 1, 2010 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyrofli Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 (edited) Spaz, The guy is just trying to pump it up to unload it. I don't think it matters round or square but he did say it is 4130 chromoly. The 4130 is a plus and the tig welding doesn't hurt but 4130 was engineered to be welded with a gas welding torch. 4130 is aircraft grade tubing and cost about twice as much to build compaired to cold rolled seamless tube. If the car is basically brand new like he says it might be a good deal. Go see it up close. I just skimed the pictures and the quality of welds is about 80%. Any tig welder with a couple months experience could do better I think. Go look at the old stainless fire extiguishers that hold water in them. The tig weld that is on those fire extiguishers is about 95% in my book. The frame does have a lot of tube work in it though. I bet it's about as strong as I'll ever see on these cars. Edited June 7, 2010 by Gyrofli added content Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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