FIA Cage for the Evo X
May 24, 2011, 02:56 AM
#1
FIA Cage for the Evo X
Last year I ran TTS in NASA NE and had some success winning three events and setting two course records in the AMS built EFI Logics Time Attack car. Here:
The car is extremely competitive and I knew that it was time to take the build to the next level in both performance and safety. A number of projects took place during the winter, and later I'll post details regarding RobiSpec's new full racing coilover setup from KW. This is a significant change from his extremely good V3 solution. We also won't yet discuss EFI Logic's work using Greg's GSC S2 cams and new valve spring, or Full-Race's exhaust manifold.
What I did want to introduce was our roll cage project. This is no ordinary cage, but a full TIG welded cage build from Andrew Havas of Havspeed. He does spectacular work and one of the only certified installers in the US for a full FIA homologated and MSA certified cage from CustomCages in the UK. The cage easily exceeds US standards for racing but, as the tubes are metric and such, we worked with NASA right from the start to make sure the cage would meet their tech. The process involves tests of the welds, video and paperwork and results in an FIA certification, documentation and id plating, allowing the car to run here or in Europe. Most importantly, it's safe and light.
As you can see from the pictures, this is a project that is not for the faint of heart. It took time, patience, and was expensive. And, as in most things in life, you get what you pay for. Andrew Havas is a craftsman like no other and so if you are considering a cage and are committed, he's the best. Period.
On with the show.
I delivered the car on my rains, bumper removed; I had thought I was so helpful in removing the headliner and the sun visors. I had no idea what was to come...
Let's get this party started
This is what your dash looks like...
This is what Andrew meant by, "John, can you clean out the car a bit?"
Get the sound material out with dry ice
No going back
And it begins
The wood doesn't stay...
More
Want to see some welds? I'll show you welds. Full TIG welded cage.
The install begins in earnest
Bored yet? I hope not!
Coming together pretty well now
These bits look important!
Closer, almost looks like a car
It IS a car!
And now, with no glass, or door cards, and the suspension just bolted in but no longer set up, off to EFI Logics in Bethel.
EFI's team dove right in and finished the set up and started in on the cams and tuning. More on that later.
As you can see, this is a big deal. There are a lot of cars with cages some good, some bad, some downright dangerous. I figured, if I was going to do a project as big as this one, I should do it right.
The car is extremely competitive and I knew that it was time to take the build to the next level in both performance and safety. A number of projects took place during the winter, and later I'll post details regarding RobiSpec's new full racing coilover setup from KW. This is a significant change from his extremely good V3 solution. We also won't yet discuss EFI Logic's work using Greg's GSC S2 cams and new valve spring, or Full-Race's exhaust manifold.
What I did want to introduce was our roll cage project. This is no ordinary cage, but a full TIG welded cage build from Andrew Havas of Havspeed. He does spectacular work and one of the only certified installers in the US for a full FIA homologated and MSA certified cage from CustomCages in the UK. The cage easily exceeds US standards for racing but, as the tubes are metric and such, we worked with NASA right from the start to make sure the cage would meet their tech. The process involves tests of the welds, video and paperwork and results in an FIA certification, documentation and id plating, allowing the car to run here or in Europe. Most importantly, it's safe and light.
As you can see from the pictures, this is a project that is not for the faint of heart. It took time, patience, and was expensive. And, as in most things in life, you get what you pay for. Andrew Havas is a craftsman like no other and so if you are considering a cage and are committed, he's the best. Period.
On with the show.
I delivered the car on my rains, bumper removed; I had thought I was so helpful in removing the headliner and the sun visors. I had no idea what was to come...
Let's get this party started
This is what your dash looks like...
This is what Andrew meant by, "John, can you clean out the car a bit?"
Get the sound material out with dry ice
No going back
And it begins
The wood doesn't stay...
More
Want to see some welds? I'll show you welds. Full TIG welded cage.
The install begins in earnest
Bored yet? I hope not!
Coming together pretty well now
These bits look important!
Closer, almost looks like a car
It IS a car!
And now, with no glass, or door cards, and the suspension just bolted in but no longer set up, off to EFI Logics in Bethel.
EFI's team dove right in and finished the set up and started in on the cams and tuning. More on that later.
As you can see, this is a big deal. There are a lot of cars with cages some good, some bad, some downright dangerous. I figured, if I was going to do a project as big as this one, I should do it right.
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May 24, 2011, 08:18 AM
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Did you drop the cage down through the floor(as per CustomCages install video),or remove the roof skin?
And does the stock heater/air conditioning box still fit in place with the dash bars?
And does the stock heater/air conditioning box still fit in place with the dash bars?
May 24, 2011, 04:14 PM
#11
Thanks! Yes, spring cleaning is right. Amazing amount of stuff (and weight) came out of the car.
Most importantly, the car is impossibly stiff and responsive. Steering input is absolutely immediate, the car is responsive, flat, and stable. That's the good side.
The Jekyll side is that the car is LOUD inside. You would not want to go through this process and ever expect to drive the car on the street. Maybe you can squeeze an AutoPower in and keep your sound deadening and carpets but not with this project.
Everything is amplified, the motor, transmission, the tire noise, everything, It's like sitting inside a speaker and takes a bit getting used to. If you are person unhappy with your glove box rattle this is not a path you want to follow...
Most importantly, the car is impossibly stiff and responsive. Steering input is absolutely immediate, the car is responsive, flat, and stable. That's the good side.
The Jekyll side is that the car is LOUD inside. You would not want to go through this process and ever expect to drive the car on the street. Maybe you can squeeze an AutoPower in and keep your sound deadening and carpets but not with this project.
Everything is amplified, the motor, transmission, the tire noise, everything, It's like sitting inside a speaker and takes a bit getting used to. If you are person unhappy with your glove box rattle this is not a path you want to follow...
