To install my 2.2 ecotec engine in my Alfa Romeo spider,I need to run 2 2x2 square steel tubing ( as in photo ) in my engine bay.these well be welded in to the front crossmember to the crossmember under the engine. I am thinking in case of heavy front end crash to drill 3 one inch holes about 5 inches apart on each side the the square steel. This way in case of a heavy hit, they just won't go into the cockpit, the would collapse into it self.have 2 steel tubes going into the cockpit would not be nice. After welding these in I would inject expandable foam into it to seal it to prevent rust.
Skip the expanding foam. It'll never 100% seal the metal, plus many types of expanding foam hold water, so it'll make it rust more, not less. If you've got non-sealed metal tubes, just make sure you have drain holes so any water can get out at the lowest points and when you put it all together, spray down the inside of the tubes with oil to protect them (or better, try to paint the inside as much as possible, let the paint dry, then oil spray).
SVreX
MegaDork
12/31/18 6:36 p.m.
Expandable foam is a terrible idea. I’ve got a car that somebody sprayed that E36 M3 into the rockets and 1/4 panels- they rotted badly from the inside out.
What about cutting some 1 inch circles to have the steel collapse under heavy front hot. Would like to survive the hit without the new steel possible inpailment.
