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I have build my chassis pretty close to the transmission, and I don't have room to add triangulation tubes.
Transmission has some bulges that would interfere with those tubes.
My question is, it would be OK, to cover that space with a piece of sheet metal instead? It would add similar strength to the chassis?
16 gauge sheet would be enough for this purpose?
Since I'm talking about steel sheet metal, I would like to find out, where else do I need to add steel sheet metal, footwell as I see everybody covers that are and makes sense for safety.
I also see that some add next to transmission tunnel between seats. What purpose serves that, against the driveshaft?
Also, I see some add sheet metal to the outside next to the seats, but that is understandably for live axels mount strength. Since I will have IRS, do I really need that area covered?
For street use, do I need a driveshaft hoop?

Thank you,

Tibor

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

Yes, you can weld in sheet metal on the outside to give stiffness & triangulate. You could rivet them on too, but stitch welding as shown in the following photos works well and takes much less time.

Cheers,

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Thanks Lonnie, but the issue I have, is exactly next to the trans, in the V shape.
Right there, where you show in the picture, I have placed some 3/4" tubes.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

Here are some older pictures:
The arrows show the bulges.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

Why not triangulate like this?

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Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

That longest one, most likely would be in the way, when I want to remove the transmisssion, by pulling it forward.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

You could make that piece removable.

_________________
Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

That is not a bad idea. You don't recommend just welding a steel sheet in that area?

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

In such situations, if a bulge on a transmission housing doesn't do anything, I'd sometimes cut it off...

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains, http://www.kimini.com/book_info/

I have already cut, what I thought that is safe. I don't want to see a hole there.
I should have made the tunnel wider, but it's a bit late for that.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

You can sheet it if you want. Everything's a trade off. There is a study floating around that showed considerable increase in chassis strength by sheeting the tunnel, firewall, and rear bulkhead with steel (I think 18ga, if memory serves) I did this with my car and it cost 60+lbs of weight compared to aluminum, but it was a trade off I was willing to make for the strength and added protection if the unspeakable were ever to happen. There's not a right or wrong answer, do what suits you.

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Regards, Ron

That is a great looking chassis!
I'm planning to add steel sheet metal only in a few places, like this tunnel "issue" that I have. I may add some tubes as well, if I can.
Aluminum sheet is pretty expensive these days, even steel in not cheap.
Thank you all.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

Here is an original Lotus 7 frame:


Here is an original Locost frame:


Welding steel panels where you can't put diagonals in your tunnel will still be considerably stronger than either of them.

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-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

Wow, so everything that I will add, it will be stronger than the original.
I feel better now.
Thanks for that.

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Tibor


'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress

Remember that Colin Chapman designed to the minimum. One of his many quotes : Using his chassis design as something to strive for is not a necessarily great idea. The Locost chassis with the Aussie mods is much better starting point.

_________________
Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766