Seam welding?

[DSM IN MN]

I am not sure if this is the correct section for this post/question. If it is not, I apologize in advance.​

Last month I bought a 1991 Talon TSi AWD and the original owner started "seam welding" the engine bay. I've searched and come to the conclusion it is to strengthen the frame to make the car handle better.
(I will try to get some current pictures ASAP).

Now my question is, do I have to complete the welding? Or can I just match the areas the other guy did and go from there? It would really help if someone could get a few pictures of stripped down 1g engine bays. If anyone could find, or make some pictures in MS Paint showing where I need to weld, that would help immensely.

The original owner KIND of explained where to weld, but I really don't want to have to weld VERY single seam, including the firewall seams. If I have to though, I will.

If you guys need any more information or pictures of what I have already, let me know.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I am not sure if this is the correct section for this post/question. If it is not, I apologize in advance.​

Last month I bought a 1991 Talon TSi AWD and the original owner started "seam welding" the engine bay. I've searched and come to the conclusion it is to strengthen the frame to make the car handle better.
(I will try to get some current pictures ASAP).

Now my question is, do I have to complete the welding? Or can I just match the areas the other guy did and go from there? It would really help if someone could get a few pictures of stripped down 1g engine bays. If anyone could find, or make some pictures in MS Paint showing where I need to weld, that would help immensely.

The original owner KIND of explained where to weld, but I really don't want to have to weld VERY single seam, including the firewall seams. If I have to though, I will.

If you guys need any more information or pictures of what I have already, let me know.

I have looked into this a little bit and I will link you to a few threads I have found on the topic but there hasn't been a lot documented on the subject on here. Its is intended to stiffen the chasis and thus help with handeling. I myself have never done this nor do I know more about it then the little that I have found searching this site. The member zyphyr_8 seams to be the local authority on the subject but he hasn't been on the site in a few years. I wish I could help more but maybe you will find something of interest on one of these threads:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/handling-tech/199419-seam-welding.html
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/handling-tech/205104-seam-welding-roll-cage-questions.html
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/hangout/158852-talon-race-car-cage-pics.html

 

[4g63tc]

What are your Plans for the car?
Drag, DD, road racing?
This will determine if you really need to even finish seam welding, as it is an immensely time consuming, and extensive project.

 

[snowborder714]

Here's some more generic info (a member build) about seam welding.
Goblins AWD project - Mitsu-Media

I would be interested to see pictures of what has been done so far. I would think that if the previous owner did half the engine bay, it might be worth it to finish it, just so you keep it uniform.

 

[dsmcurse]

i skipped welded my entire engine bay. i also solid welded in the motor mount pads. if you look closeley you can see how the car is welded together on the assembally line. its done by "pintch welds" they use robot welder things that are like a caliper type deal that pinches the layers of metal together also leaving a tiny spot weld. look at the upper strut towers. see how they connect to the two main frame rails? see how its all pintch weld. its a good idea to skip weld the front end. the two motor mount pads that are stamped into the car (left and right motor mounts bolt in here) can be beefened up by solid welding them to the chassis. ill try to post pics of mine soon. im curentley stuck at work tho

 

[DSM IN MN]

What are your Plans for the car?
Drag, DD, road racing?
This will determine if you really need to even finish seam welding, as it is an immensely time consuming, and extensive project.

I am not sure yet. I really just want to get the engine bay painted before Christmas. For the most part though, I would say drag.

Here's some more generic info (a member build) about seam welding.
Goblins AWD project - Mitsu-Media

I would be interested to see pictures of what has been done so far. I would think that if the previous owner did half the engine bay, it might be worth it to finish it, just so you keep it uniform.

I loved watching Goblins' build. However I cannot go onto MM anymore because I was...well, I wasn't offically banned; like your supposed to be. With a warning and an informing message. The mods and admins. more or less go together and said they didn'
t like me. So they kicked me off by changing my passwords on my account. They neglected to give any hint this was happening so I had no clue and just kept creating new accounts whenever this would happen.

It was because they personally didn't like me.. So thanks for the link. I wish I could go look at it but, that is something you would have to take up with Rob (one of the crooked MF's that was part of my departure from there).

 

[greengoblin]

I am not sure yet. I really just want to get the engine bay painted before Christmas. For the most part though, I would say drag.

If drag is your main goal I would match the areas and call it a day.

 

[DSM IN MN]

If drag is your main goal I would match the areas and call it a day.

It would be nice to make a universal setup. I like being able to take a corner with some speed. But I also like getting to speed quickly and such.

 

[snowborder714]

It really depends on how serious you want to get, how much prep/work you want to put into the car, and what your time frame is. Kevin is one of the few people that I know of who's stitched most/all of his car. Most people who do any racing don't put that much effort into their car.

But then again, if you know how much work it would take to stitch the whole car, a lot of people would get discouraged and say screw it.

I would say unless you plan on seriously getting into road racing, just stitch the rest of the bay to make it uniform and call it a day. Anything more I think would be a waste of your time, and possibly get you discouraged or fed up part way through.

 

[dsmTripp]

Where would be the key points to stitch weld and would you mig or tig weld it? I'm especially interest the key places on a spyder

 

[snowborder714]

I believe Kevin (greengoblin) MIG'd his. I'd suggest checking out his thread (I posted it above) for key points. Granted, it's not on a Spyder, but it will help some.

 

[4g63tc]

Where would be the key points to stitch weld and would you mig or tig weld it? I'm especially interest the key places on a spyder

Pretty Much Stich welding all body Joints, this includes Underbody, interior, engine bay. Basically any Body part that has been joined by spot welds, and or adhesives.

This was Done on my 2k Miata, would i do it again? Probably not. when there are easier ways to stiffen the rigidity of the body through use of braces.

Mine was Mig'd.

 

[greengoblin]

I used MIG. You could also use structural rivets, structural foam or TIG weld. It takes many many man hours to do. I'd bet using TIG would take way more time than it did using my MIG machine.

Prep is what really is the most work. It's 90% of the work or more.

Kevin