I just picked up a car, and the welds on the cage look terrible. I would assume the entire cage was stick welded together, due to the spatter. There is nothing wrong with the welds as far as chassis strength goes, they just look terrible, because they weren't cleaned up before painting. Question is, do I try to clean up what I have and repaint it, or just cut out what is there, call S & W, and replace anything that looks bad?

Has anyone been in this situation before? What way was easier/less time consuming. An Entire new 10 point kit from S & W is only 785 bucks anyway, but I'd rather spend that cash on a dash, carpet, new seat, etc to dress the car up if I don't need to go that route.

If you plan to certify the car and the cage has been stick welded you will either have to cut it apart and reweld or get a replacement and start from scratch.
Cages can only be mig or tig welded for certification.

Hope this helps with your decision.

Just for your info. IHRA requires certification at 6.0 or 150 mph in the 1/8 mile.

Dave

That carpet etc won't save your life but that cage just may. Mine was built by S&W and has went right NHRA cert several times. I know bracket racers don't get checked but I personally have seen 2 killed in cars with BS welded and installed cages. Fix it right.

Just looked on S & W's site and if I have to cut everything out anyway, I might as well just get the full tube chassis kit with funny car cage for 2300 bucks or so. Only thing I'd need is struts and everything should transfer over.

Not to mention I'd think it would make it worth about 5-7k more depending on the person.

quote:

Originally posted by Holytown:
Just looked on S & W's site and if I have to cut everything out anyway, I might as well just get the full tube chassis kit with funny car cage for 2300 bucks or so. Only thing I'd need is struts and everything should transfer over.

Not to mention I'd think it would make it worth about 5-7k more depending on the person.

If you go that route and plan to certify 7.50 1/4 mile, I would recommend you get the SFI manual to ensure you do it right. Just because it will have a funny car cage doesn't mean it will cert to 7.50

I'm making assumptions here as I have no clue as to your plans. Basing my responses on what you are writing.

Dave

Holytown, when these 2 guys speak you should listen. I think Covey was a tech inspector for several years and I believe Ferndale beat Fred Flinstone in the first bracket ever. Lol Just kidding Fern, but seriously take their advice I don't think you can go wrong there. Good luck with your Build...

Fred was cheatin Tim, round wheels weren't legal yet.

Fern's first race.

Holytown, you knew the correct answer before you asked the question.....

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
Holytown, you knew the correct answer before you asked the question.....

Big Facts....

If the welds are not right...What makes you think the tubing material is right, or it is engineered right? Everything has a spec for a reason.