I've wanted to do these for a really long time now, but they've proven a challenge. Very hard to cast to net shape, so I really didn't bother. Now that I've got the mill I can use it to my advantage :evil:
I had one of these strut bars back in the day. Total crap:
I purchased one of Corksport's last strut bars for the 323 GTX when they discontinued their BF chassis stuff. Super stiff bar, with really rigid and well designed mounts. Visible in this pic:
However even this was not perfect... the GTX does not use a 4-bolt strut mount, so I had to drill it out to use it on the Capri. No room for the nut on the stud there. Plus, I wanted some of my own design!
So I made this pattern this morning, based off the CS style mounts, with some of my own twist in the design. Pattern is made from MDF, pine & bondo lol
Which I cast two of this evening. No casting pics as I was busy molding
Corksport vs. casting. Casting is solid
Machining the slot:
Skip a couple steps, sprinkle of magic, and tada - new strut bar mounts. Added bonus, I open my hood and there's some of my work right there in your face Excuse the filthy engine bay, I have not brought the GTXR2 out since winter, she needs a good cleaning. Ill try to get better pics tomorrow
So now I've got a super extra tough strut bar. I might machine another set of castings to use a single heim joint at the top to make things a bit easier
I had one of these strut bars back in the day. Total crap:
I purchased one of Corksport's last strut bars for the 323 GTX when they discontinued their BF chassis stuff. Super stiff bar, with really rigid and well designed mounts. Visible in this pic:
However even this was not perfect... the GTX does not use a 4-bolt strut mount, so I had to drill it out to use it on the Capri. No room for the nut on the stud there. Plus, I wanted some of my own design!
So I made this pattern this morning, based off the CS style mounts, with some of my own twist in the design. Pattern is made from MDF, pine & bondo lol
Which I cast two of this evening. No casting pics as I was busy molding
Corksport vs. casting. Casting is solid
Machining the slot:
Skip a couple steps, sprinkle of magic, and tada - new strut bar mounts. Added bonus, I open my hood and there's some of my work right there in your face Excuse the filthy engine bay, I have not brought the GTXR2 out since winter, she needs a good cleaning. Ill try to get better pics tomorrow
So now I've got a super extra tough strut bar. I might machine another set of castings to use a single heim joint at the top to make things a bit easier
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