[acmikee]

I want to cut the body in half on my spec racer to make repairs easier. how and where would be the best spot be. is i cut it between the doors would i need any other fasteners other than the ones on the side?..........mike

 

[John MacKechnie]

I saw a spec racer at the SCCA races at Pocono this weekend. I noticed that the body was cut in half directly under the center of the door. There were several, perhaps 6 or 8 large bolts with washers fastening each section. It was very nicely done and suggested to me that a plate must have been welded in place behind the body work. It makes perfect sense to do it this way.

John MacKechnie

I enjoyed watching the car run on the turn one and two banking. It sounded and looked great. When one considers that a spec racer ford costs approximately the same, the cobra was a lot more interesting. I suspect that the SRF would be a lot less to repair however.

 

[GenCobra]

Mike,
Are you cutting it in half lengthwise or ? If you need a hand give me a call.

Bob

 

[Alain V.]

If I ever (find the time & extra cash to) build a spec racer,,,,,, I will cut the body in half.

Looking at it, the quick-easy way would be to do it right at the mounting point on each side before the rear fenders. (right in between the body mounting bolts)

I would also order a "spare" body for my car & have it cut/painted & ready to mount, so that there is nearly no "down time" or missed races due to body damage.

There are also alot of other "little tings" I would do,,,,,,, some I will share, but the others you'd have to "beat" out of me

 

[Jack ffr1846]

How about cutting just in front of the windshield? Similar to a flip nose design.

jack

 

[kadunkadunk]

This is why I paged Alain V. I didn't want to post in fear of massive retaliation. But this is the new-improved forum!

I want to make a double clam shell, front and rear. Trying to get a luncheon scheduled with Alain so I can beat it out of him...

 

[David Borden]

I kinda like Alain's idea. Split the mount in the rear. I would think that would be strong enough, especially for the front. Maybe take and weld a small 2 " extention on the rear mounting tab and add a third bolt to be safe... but I would think the mounts in the rear would be fine as is.

Anyone else think this would be OK?

I have been thinking on how to incorporate a bumper that would tie into the fuel cell bar on the spec racer... or maybe an extention to the fuel cell bar mounting area.

I would make a bumber made of 1 inch .125 tube bent into the shape of the rear hoop bar.

David

 

[Alain V.]

David,,, great minds must think alike....
I have also thought that it would be a good idea to have a rear bumper that is strong enough to push the car with if it weren't running/ etc.

What I would do is enlarge the rear body mounting holes enough so that "nudging" the rear bumper wouldn't break the body up at that point,,,,, then make anout pair of rear body mounts a few inches to towards the inside of where the originals were. I hope that made sense.

I'll be getting together soon with "Kadunk" & we're gonna "mock up" some possible scenario's with fineline tape on his car.

I'm really looking forward to seeing his FFR blowing the doors off the Porsche/Viper guys that play at the local track events. ..........

.......of course, that's only going to be happening until I get my McLaren project done

 

[Todd Buttrick]

The lightweight 390 that Ken Miles raced was split in front of the windscreen like the Daytonas. Would most of your work be done from this point forward?

 

[acmikee]

I agree with Alains idea of splitting the body below the doors.
The existing 3/4" tube that supports the quick jacks doesn't withstand a rear impact very well.
I was thinking of welding a steal plate across the 3/4" tube to the fuel cell guard and maybe running some supports up to the frame and building a 1" oblong bumper and bolting it in the same location as the quick jacks. any other ideas are welcome.......mike

 

[Streetrodpainter]

I did one like that a couple months ago. I cut it at the bottom front corner of the doors, 3" at a 45degree angle, then straight down. I put a flange on the back half for the front to overlap and attach to. the cut went right between the front two body mounts, so the rear held the back half, and the front held the front half. cheers, SRP

 

[kadunkadunk]

Anyone have pictures?

 

[imported_admin]

This is a good one for the FAQ, please give us some photos. Thanks.

 

[Gary Evans]

Ken, did you use the hidden mounts or stick with the bolt through?

 

[kadunkadunk]

I cut the body in half. Just under the doors between the two body mounts. I lined it up with the 2x2 Nascar Door Bars. About 11 inches from the first front-body-bolt hole.

I am very happy with it. I plan to weld a mount and use 4 bolts to mount the body back on, 2 for each side, front and rear. (8 Total)

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I will post pics when I get a digi-cam.

 

[kadunkadunk]

TTT

 

[acmikee]

well i did it i cut the body in half right down the center of the doors.. the best part is i can put the rear section on by my self. I used zip screws for the rear shetmetal piece in the trunk for easy acess to the fuel pump and such.........mike