Totally Tubular

I am looking to convert my Honda S2000 to a tubular chassis. However, I have absolutely no idea where to find information on such a thing, how much it will cost, etc. My goal is to not change the cosmetics. In other words, I want the lightweight and stiffness of a tubular chassis but to be able to bolt everything else right back on. Can anyone help me out?

for what reason?

Experimentation and looking to replace my Miata.

i think for the amount of work that it would take, you could add quite a bit of rigidity to the original car. underbody braces and hardtop, seam welding, and full cage would probably get you 85% of your goal for 10% of the time and cost

You think?

There should be some sort of race/fab shop on the net that might be able to get you a quote.

I'm a bit baffled as to why you would want to do this, but it's your dime.

An alternative would be to build a Locost.

yeah, I am thinking the cost and time (especially for someone who says they don't know anything about it) would be prohibitive. to do it right, you would need crazy welding skills, some jigs, good geometry, use of CAD design programs, working knowledge of CAD design programs, and a crazy amount of time....

from what I hear, the S2K is pretty stiff as is, so I imagine that the above techniques would probably be closer to 95% of what you want for 10% of the cost and time.

Well, then just bracing it seems to make the most sense. Thanks!

I never want to discourage progress, but in this case, I think it is just change for the sake of change...no offense.

Honda spent huge resources developing the car, testing it, designing the suspension (!!) etc. An excersize in futility.

locostusa.com

Lightweight & stiffer - start chucking unneeded stuff - insulation, stereo, hvac, seats (add a carbon one back), gut the doors- seam weld it. For stiffness - any particular area? Add subframe connectors if there's a concern, otherwise, just adding weight - 8 pt+ cage... or save the drivetrain and wiring harness and locostusa

The best you could do would be to buy a wrecked or damaged S2K, put it in a garage and use it to design a frame out of chrome-moly tubing. Be careful as a wrecked frame won't be straight so you'll want to double check with your car.

For a body you'll either make a splash mold from fiberglass or carbon fiber of the existing car or buy an existing set of body panels.

Then transfer the parts you want onto the new frame/body.

It won't be as well finished as it is now since you'll have to compromise a lot of the creature comforts to get the tubing properly placed to create a chassis stiff enough to make a difference.

Before you start, I suggest you read the following websites and make some notes then ask here and on some of those sites for any clarification you need:

http://www.kimini.com/ (buy the book too!)

http://www.grabercars.com/

http://www.dpcars.net/

http://www.desicodesign.com/meerkat/

http://www.locostusa.com

Good luck!

S2000.... http://www.wcmultralite.com/index.htm

if you dont have welding abilities and want to just buy a solution...

this company ready makes it

Thanks guys! I think I will just strip it down to a tub and invite some people over to help me reinforce/ seem weld, etc.

Apexcarver wrote: S2000.... http://www.wcmultralite.com/index.htm if you dont have welding abilities and want to just buy a solution... this company ready makes it

Do the bimbos come with the car?