In addition to our custom Designed and engineered Suspension and Brake components, 1st Place Engineering, in cooperation with Precision Engineered Products is pleased to complete our Preparation services by offering complete Roll cage design, Stress analysis and Construction services.

All cages are custom engineered to fit YOUR car and Your racing series requirements. 3rd Party Stress analysis reports available, if required.

There are several "one size fits all" Cage solutions this is not one. FIA, SCCA, Rally USA, NASA, NHRA compliant.

Chrome molly and Mild Steel options, T45 or Exotic materials upon request.

Designs based on budget Add as many or as few "points" as you like.

Typical Costs are $150 Per point, in chrome molly which includes material and labor. You will have to deliver your car with interior removed or some cost will be incurred in that process.

 

I've done several cages as well and can't stress enough how important it is to ensure that they are designed in a safe manner and executed by a professional.

 

do you do full chassis's if so i'd like to drop by the shop sometime and see your work. I have a car that a friends shop started but never finished so the car has set for about a year now and needs to be finished. i will do the floor pans and firewall i just need the chassis finished or completely redone. please send me some contact info, thanks for your time
Justin

 

What welding process/es are you going to use for the different material cages and what fillers?

 

(I know this is old hat for Blue2kss but for everyone else)

Blue2kSS: Do you have a Particular material in mind. As for most typical CrMo Cages they are TIG welded, Often using mild Steel filler. however other fillers can be used based on purpose. Mild Steel cages can be done cheaper since they can be effectively mig welded, and the material is less expensive, however Chromo is more sensitive to temp then Mild steel. Most importantly is not to rush and take your time. and whatever you do don't force cool the welds and they won't be compromised. Pre heating can help, but is not necessary if done carefully.

Lowredcrzr: Yes, PEP (with whom we share a building and info) does full chassis builds, while my end of the building is more mechanical and repair oriented, that end is a full fabrication facility, where at any time you can find 3-4 chassis on jigs he is building for Circle track racers. they also fabricate Full Replica Shelby cobras from scratch. if you want to come by between the two shops we should be able to handle your needs.

give me a call 813-333-1100 we can get some more detailed info. or set you up with an appointment.

 

I assume you are going to be using 4130 chromoly, and for that particular steel I recommend ER70S-2 filler rod. You can mig chromoly, but TIG would be preferred.

In all reality, TIG should be used (imo) for cages because the heat input is so much more controllable. But there are plenty of cages that are mig welded and they are just fine too.

As far as a mild steel cage, use ER70S-6 filler rod. And again, either processed can be used. You never want to "force cool" metal, leave that to the heat treatment shops. Pre-heating and post heating anything under .095" wall really isn't necessary, but it certainly doesn't hurt to heat it up to around 300 degrees before striking the arc (good insurance). In particular and contrary to popular belief, TIG needs this treatment more so than say oxy fuel or mig because the temperature gradient is so steep at the arc since its so concentrated.

 

I personally would not MIG 4130 since the nature of mig welding involves starting and stopping. but your right both are often done with success, I've seen Mig welded 4130 cages fail at the welds and almost kill the rally driver. so while it can be done. the average talent of the backyard car builder is not up to the demands. SCCA used to "require" ARC welding on all their rally cages. but "ARC" welding is a broad discription.

while the typical road racing cage will NEVER see the rollover stress of a rally cage, I prefer to use a more strigent standard when building a cage, since I've cross trained cars before, and IMNSHO being confident in a car is WAY more important then saving 100# on a cage. and while every "real" racecar engineer follows the rule of minilisim for a private funded team I think a good overbuilt cage will pay dividends in chassis longivity, and driver confidence.

Plus if you've ever had a problem with an event scruitneer you know how painful it can be to proove your legality. I like pulling the car up to inspection and hearing "WOW"

 

MIG welding does not necessarily have more starts and stops involved, its all in the joint, the accessibility of the joint, and the experience of the welder.


ARC welding entails MIG, TIG, and stick. All utilize an electric arc, where as brazing and oxy-fuel are not.


And I know exactly what you mean about the scrutineering, they are the biggest pain in the ass we have to deal with.