Loving the cage!
Printable View
Loving the cage!
Amazing bud !
Thanks again. I quite like it too.
Stripped the rest of the crap out of the bay yesterday, and cut off all of the unused brackets.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2130548c.jpg
Then moved inside, but stupidly i forgot to take the steering wheel down there, so was mostly guess work based on another steering wheel which was quite different, but i think im somewhere near, despite it being horrible and 385mm
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdb751faf.jpg
Mounted the steering columb about 5" over to the right, and nice and straight. Hung it off the dash bar for now using part of the old upper mount, and also re-used the lower mount, but its only tacked, and once its confirmed to be in a good place will get fully welded with some extra bracing.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9a11be2e.jpg
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5f22e3c4.jpg
Just where it should be now. Right in front of the driver, and straight, unlike the piss poor version the factory gave it.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...psb1b41990.jpg
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3bbedab2.jpg
With that done i cut the dash to fit it, and trial fitted a stalk. Il be using corsa stalks, simply as they are slightly closer to the driver, but got very lucky indeed as i never even considered their placement when moving the columb.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf845c2d9.jpg
Admittedly that picture is of it pushed back into the rear wiper on position, which it never will be, but still lucky.
Trouble is though i would have quite liked to have mounted my bias control in that sqaure blank behind it, but theres not much chance of that now.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8e22f34a.jpg
Cut the dash roughly, then tidied it up with a file, so not far off the point where it can be flocked now
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf9b676cf.jpg
Then measured up for the pedal box, which i can get into a comfortable position with a little bit of a raised plate in the footwell, which again im pleased about.
Actually starting to look like a car again now
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0fce8b54.jpg
A then good bit of progress today. Met Adam down the unit at around 1pm, ready to fully weld the cage for me. All went quite well, despite having to use my 150amp hobby welder and he got done just on time.
(Secret photo)
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8c7536f3.jpg
5 hours, and it was done.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...psb2dda9ec.jpg
A lot better than i could have done myself. Very happy with it,
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdc76d497.jpg
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse32fdc25.jpg
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5fc90149.jpg
Also got home to a nice heavy package today. Which was a used, but great condition Helix paddle clutch, Cover and Paul Exon flywheel.
Im in 2 minds wether to use the cover or not, as despite being a Helix item it is from the "12-4626" range, which they quote as standard, but its my own fault for not checking, as it was simply sold to me as a Helix cover, no Mention of heavy Duty (60-4626).
Helix do say a standard cover can handle a 15% increase in torque, which i dont expect to gain any more than, so it's one to think about, but if truth be known i will most likely go to QED for a new one.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps02169799.jpg
150amp is enough for even 2MM wall thickness; looks good.
I have an adjustable rake column that'll more or less bolt straight up to what you're doing there, bring the wheel closer to you and put it at a straighter angle if you're interested.
Cage is 2.64mm.
Not quite sure what you mean about the columb, Mine will be custom, so can go anywhere it wants. Its already straight and in front of the driver, im not using the original mounting points
Just out of interest though what do you have?
Nice welding by Adam, love what youve done with the coloum.
Yours will be custom? So the one in the pictures isn't going to be what you'll run?
While the column is now inline with the driver, from the pictures above due to the mount relocation, the wheel won't be straight horizontally (like say a race car) which is why I mentioned the adjustable rake item I have lying around.
...Not the best picture below; the rake comes from the ball joint on the column (obscured by the gear knob)
http://sadpanda.us/images/1455463-H2UC250.jpg
I understand now. I mistook your reference to the angle as being how they are standard, as in, pointing towards the middle of the car, but you of course meant the top to bottom angle.
It would certainly help with a quick rack fitted, as when i tried my angle out i found it a little awkward to cross my arms into the 3 / 9 position, which will be amplified when harnessed in.
I reffered to mine as custom as i will be chopping the bottom half off to fit 2 UJ's and cutting the top off to extend and weld on my lifeline quick release boss, leaving only the nylon bearing, centre section and mounting point original.
Maybe PM me regarding the columb. Im interested.
Not updated this for a while, but have been chipping away at it.
Recently took the above advice and fitted an adjustable rake columb from another Vaux, which seems to have gone well.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1b9314b0.jpg
Then did a bit more work around the steering rack mounts, tieing the area into the cage and triangulating back to the turrets.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...psacca61c8.jpg
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps38e800bd.jpg
And since gathering all of the Stack gauges the other month decided not to use them, and instead went out and bought this
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5435cffe.jpg
Couldnt resist trial fitting it, and as i had to drive past the unit on the way home i popped in, tacked a nut onto the back of the boss and fitted the steering wheel so i could get a feel for its position.
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/a...psaac16bb4.jpg
Not quite right, as i want it in the middle of the steering wheel, so will be chopping a bit more of the dash out yet.