Just so we're all on the same sheet of music, here are a few pics of the current set up:
If the rear frame is anything like the front frame, there is some sheet metal that wraps around the "more structural" part of the frame?
Here is a pic from that:
My plan would be to pull back on the exterior sheet metal, put 1/8"-1/4" thick sheet metal around it to weld and 1/4" plug welds every 1.5" or so. Would that be enough to reinforce the frame? or would i want to go through the trunk/back seat and try to box it off? If its not obvious, the plan it to run a bolt through the top of it. WWGRMD? If im doing something extra dumb or you have any pointers, let me know! Thanks in advance!
Major parts used:
78 Ascona B, MK1 Miata motor/trans during the variable vane MAF years, E30 era rear end.
You can also seam (or "stitch") weld the unibody. Will not hurt anything unless you try to do continuous welding and get too much heat into the steel.
Where you run your bolt through the frame, make sure you have a tube around the bolt welded to the top as well as the bottom, so you do no crush to the box section.
TurnerX19 said:
Where you run your bolt through the frame, make sure you have a tube around the bolt welded to the top as well as the bottom, so you do no crush to the box section.
lol forgot to mention that was in the plan if i box it off, along with large washers
joeg1982 said:
You can also seam (or "stitch") weld the unibody. Will not hurt anything unless you try to do continuous welding and get too much heat into the steel.
where about would i do that to the body? sorry for my ignorance but maybe you could use paint or something with one of my pictures to outline where i should?
isnt that nutty ben modified guy on here? can i put a batman light projector out for him? maybe i can email him thru his youtube, i really want his input on this
Edit: his youtube has a link to his book of faces, we'll see if he responds.
You stitch weld on the unibody between the factory spot welds. The procedure will start the undercoating on fire, so you need to clean/scrape the areas. Google "seam welding" on rally cars.
After a conversation or two with Ben, really nice guy btw, we've come up with a basic plan. I made a paint pic or two that covers 90% of what we came up with, here is a pic or two:
