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BGTV8 · 09-12-2010, 08:05 PM

Guys - I figured out how to remove the plastic trim around the OEM strut-brace last weekend, and will pull the OEM strut brace out and fabricate a jig next weekend.

Once this has been done, I'll ask a friend of mine who is a mechanical engineer to do some calculations on wall-thickness to establish what sized material is required. I'll assume mild-steel for the time being unless people want the lightness of Chrome-Molly steel (however it will need heat-treating post-welding which will add to the cost). I'm also assuming that the bar will be powder-coated (in grey to match the OEM plastic colour).

I'll also get some drawings done for bracketry and speak to my laser-cutter about getting mounting plates done so the bar can be mounted in place of the OEM strut brace, but with tags for harnesses on both sides of the car (remember, I am from one of those funny places where we drive on the wrong side of the road !!).

With all this, I shoud be able to give folks an idea of price in 2 or 3 weeks time. I have a slight diversion on the weekend ond 25/26 as I am scheduled to attend a track day in South Australia and it is a 1600km round trip, so not much will happen that weekend.

So, feedback requested on two things ... CrMo steel or mild-steel and powder coated or painted (anti-rust) or unfinished (cannot be chromed as a consequence of the potential for hydrogen embrittlement - is there a metallurgist on the forum who can offer advice on whether cad plating suffers a similar problem?)

Check back in (say) 4 or 5 weeks ....

09-12-2010, 08:05 PM	#41 (permalink)
BGTV8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 03350 Australia Posts: 1,515 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 39974	Guys - I figured out how to remove the plastic trim around the OEM strut-brace last weekend, and will pull the OEM strut brace out and fabricate a jig next weekend. Once this has been done, I'll ask a friend of mine who is a mechanical engineer to do some calculations on wall-thickness to establish what sized material is required. I'll assume mild-steel for the time being unless people want the lightness of Chrome-Molly steel (however it will need heat-treating post-welding which will add to the cost). I'm also assuming that the bar will be powder-coated (in grey to match the OEM plastic colour). I'll also get some drawings done for bracketry and speak to my laser-cutter about getting mounting plates done so the bar can be mounted in place of the OEM strut brace, but with tags for harnesses on both sides of the car (remember, I am from one of those funny places where we drive on the wrong side of the road !!). With all this, I shoud be able to give folks an idea of price in 2 or 3 weeks time. I have a slight diversion on the weekend ond 25/26 as I am scheduled to attend a track day in South Australia and it is a 1600km round trip, so not much will happen that weekend. So, feedback requested on two things ... CrMo steel or mild-steel and powder coated or painted (anti-rust) or unfinished (cannot be chromed as a consequence of the potential for hydrogen embrittlement - is there a metallurgist on the forum who can offer advice on whether cad plating suffers a similar problem?) Check back in (say) 4 or 5 weeks .... Last edited by BGTV8; 09-12-2010 at 08:07 PM.