5.3L Swap - Cage Build Thoughts
11-02-2012, 05:42 PM
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5.3L Swap - Cage Build Thoughts
I am swapping a 5.3L Chevy into the datsun, so i want to increase the shell strength as well as protect myself in a worst case situation. I have looked up a few different cage options, the stock radiator support construction, strut brace options and came up with a cage design. I am hoping to get your opinions if this is a good plan for a cage construction or if some adjusting needs to be made.
Here is the 6 point i am thinking of, but the door bars would be different.
I am thinking, with the right seats the door bar should be able to fit in between the side of the seat, turning inwards slightly towards the door, running just below the armrest where the door panel has an indentation (blue bar in pic to show the bar running under armrest. ). Anyone think there wont be enough room? The bottom portion of the armrest may have to be modified, or chopped in half to make room for the bar. Would this be acceptable for race standards or do they require the outward bend into the door shell? Trying to keep my nice door panels...
The blue bar in the picture below is the cage bar inside the car, on the other side of the firewall. The red bars are setup just like the strut kit you can buy from PDK, but with the rear bars going through the firewall and connecting to the blue bar for extra support. At the bottom of the bay, in front of the motor there is a support bar added where the strut braces can attach to adding support both ways.
Looking at the stock radiator support construction, i think there is weight to be lost and strength to be gained by cutting out the old support, and welding in a nice rectangle construction, with support bars to the front strut towers, and the bottom brace mentioned in the above image (not shown in pic) Using small Plates to mount everything needed, radiator, intercooler, etc.
Also, i am running a fuel cell in the back hatch. Cutting out the spare tire section, and building a structure where the fuel cell can sit nicely centered inside the hatch and below. I was thinking it would be a good idea to run the rear cage bars to a "cage bumper" to protect the fuel cell from any possible collision, since the rear bumper is no longer there it is all molded in.
Here is the 6 point i am thinking of, but the door bars would be different.
I am thinking, with the right seats the door bar should be able to fit in between the side of the seat, turning inwards slightly towards the door, running just below the armrest where the door panel has an indentation (blue bar in pic to show the bar running under armrest. ). Anyone think there wont be enough room? The bottom portion of the armrest may have to be modified, or chopped in half to make room for the bar. Would this be acceptable for race standards or do they require the outward bend into the door shell? Trying to keep my nice door panels...
The blue bar in the picture below is the cage bar inside the car, on the other side of the firewall. The red bars are setup just like the strut kit you can buy from PDK, but with the rear bars going through the firewall and connecting to the blue bar for extra support. At the bottom of the bay, in front of the motor there is a support bar added where the strut braces can attach to adding support both ways.
Looking at the stock radiator support construction, i think there is weight to be lost and strength to be gained by cutting out the old support, and welding in a nice rectangle construction, with support bars to the front strut towers, and the bottom brace mentioned in the above image (not shown in pic) Using small Plates to mount everything needed, radiator, intercooler, etc.
Also, i am running a fuel cell in the back hatch. Cutting out the spare tire section, and building a structure where the fuel cell can sit nicely centered inside the hatch and below. I was thinking it would be a good idea to run the rear cage bars to a "cage bumper" to protect the fuel cell from any possible collision, since the rear bumper is no longer there it is all molded in.
Last edited by 530Z; 11-14-2012 at 07:41 AM.
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