Help with Framework, suggestions welcomed.

[Brisingamen]

i currently have a stock 96 GSX,
my long term plans for the car include a FFWD engine with 500+ hp and a dogbox tanny, however my short term goals are to do the targa top convirsion and leave the engine and transmission stock for the time being,

i dont care much for high speed. my goal is to make a car that has the utmost, seat pinning, neck snapping, grippy acceleration possible. good 1.4 mile times are also wanted but my priority is stated above.

my first question is,
is there any way to make the car still somewhat safe, and have the frame stiff for performance without using a cage, i would prefer to leave my interior as stock looking as possible, with the obvious exeption of the targa, rear cages look hideous to me, and i wouldnt mind spending the extra money to not have the hideous cage, but i want the benefits of one. perhaps from some frame work, modification, etc, if it is possible.

also what upgrades to the axles, balljoints, anything else that is important when planting this much power to the ground that is known to break under high performance stress. that can be replaced while i am at it,
i might aswell do it.

i know things break, but if i can do as much planning and prep work before hand, and reduce the chances, i dont want to simply throw a high hp engine and tranny in, and then have one thing after another break, go through multiple etc, . .

im not looking for an overnight fix, or a cheap way out. this is a project i plan on taking as much time on that is neccesary to do it right and achieve my desired results.


i also plan on taking this street legal car to the track and strip, so with that in mind aswell,

i am new to dsm modding, an although my goals might seem high, i have done alot of thought on what i want, and i bought this car with the intentions of doing this. this forum has already been a great help.
any thoughts would be appreciated aswell as links to places that could perform the work, or instructions on how these upgrades are done.

 

[Leitnin]

just to let you know, doing a targa when shooting for neck snapping acceleration and insisting on no cage....thats going to be quite an acomplishment.

If you look at dre99gsx's car (featured ride) hes got a targa and did plenty of bod stiffening that wouldn't have held without the cage (so i gather from all the reading ive done on his work)

basically, cutting the top off is going to mean adding a lot of support if you are going to be neck snapping (aka frame twisting) and without a roll cage....basically.....good luck.

 

[Brisingamen]

i had been thinking that it would be very hard, i was looking at maybe building a custom cage that somehow contoured to the interior that may still be enough,

if not the sunroof will do for now. not the end of the world.

thanks.

 

[Leitnin]

i would check out dre99's car. hes put a lot of great work into it and its freakin nice. his cage is made of fence piping I believe and didn't add a significant amount of weight (i think i remember he said basically if the roof is not on, the car is about the same weight as before) so the cage is probably on 30 or so lbs and its not toooooooooooo in the way from the pics. The back seat is already so damn small its not worth much.

 

[Brisingamen]

i think i am going to call around to a bunch of places that make custom cages, and see if they can make one that will contour the interior closely enough so that i can hide it with some custom upholstery. granted a few exposed areas will be fine, but i dont want any exposed steel. ill get some light padding and vinyl/leather sheaths to cover.

not all hope is lost for the targa!

that bar cutting through the middle isnt an option for myself, maybe if they can make one that hugs the floor more so that you can get in and out of the back,

would aluminum be best for the light weight?

i think i should gut the interior, have the custom cage made,

go with front upper and lower strut tower bars, rear strut tower,
swaybars,

also i remember reading something about "subframe connectors". are those something that is completely custom? aswell as "dash stabalizer" bars.

i havent seen them for sale anywhere or advertised.

would this be what all i need for a rock solid frame ready for the top to be cut?

thanks.

 

[no_turbo_talon]

how do you plan on doing the targa???
I realy want to do one but i dont know what to use for laches or how to cut it and still have it sit back in

 

[Leitnin]

to my knowledge, andrew just used a sawsall and supra latches for the method of cutting and what latches, but he has done a huge amount of work to pull it off.

 

[no_turbo_talon]

supra latches perfict.
That fills my blank. Mint Mint Mint.
cant wait to do it just a cuple more weeks till start with the body job.
Thank you.

Joe