Re: Chassis stiffener - Interest but frugal

["Daegrigg (Don)" <daegrigg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Brian,

I'll have to claim ignorance here.  My impression was that there were
several versions in use all functionally the same.  When I race my spider, I
built the roll bar from SCCA specs.  I remember something about Don in one
of the posts on this subject but that about it.  Where can I go to get more
info on this?

Thanks,

Don

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Shorey" <bshorey@domain.elided>
To: "'Daegrigg (Don)'" <daegrigg@domain.elided>
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 4:24 PM
Subject: RE: Chassis stiffener - Interest but frugal


Don,

I won't cast judgement, but I will point out that part of the 'high'
cost of the chassis stiffener is the r&d that Don put into it.  Some
people have stolen the design and copied it, I don't believe that makes
it right.

bs

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided] On
> Behalf Of Daegrigg (Don)
> Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 10:29 AM
> To: alfa-digest@domain.elided
> Subject: Chassis stiffener - Interest but frugal
>
>
> OK, so maybe there is something here.  But I don't intend to
> spend big bucks
> to become a stiff.  Does anyone have or know of plans for one of these
> girdles?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Don
> 86 Graduate
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "J. Hutson Hart" <hutsonhart@domain.elided>
> To: "Alfa Digest Postings" <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 12:03 AM
> Subject: RE: chassis stiffener - Series 4 Spider
>
>
> > Well, time to weigh in on this thang
> >
> > After much hemming and hawing and listening to all of yous
> and your input,
> I
> > did the deed and just last week installed a chassis
> stiffener on my 91
> > Spider, and had the distinct pleasure to fully wring it out on the
> racetrack
> > at Sears Point [Infineon] in Sonoma yesterday.  In road
> driving, [of which
> I
> > did rather a lot over the weekend], I found a dramatic
> seat-of-the-pants
> > difference in the overall feel of the car.  It has a more
> solid and modern
> > attitude now, and I found no sacrifice in ride comfort.
> The corners of
> the
> > car continue to do a very balanced job of absorbing road
> irregularities,
> > while the frame just feels more solid and stable.  [It
> should be noted
> that
> > in past years I have installed IAP red springs, a heavier
> rear sway bar,
> and
> > am running stock shocks, everything otherwise is bone-stock.]  The
> handling
> > of my car has always been consistent with classical
> descriptions of the
> > same, somewhat soft into a corner until the unibody and
> suspension takes a
> > set, then compliant and smooth as long as you are.  The
> only drama coming
> > when you make any sudden moves with the suspension
> compressed.  With the
> > chassis stiffener though, the difference in character on
> the track was
> > rather more dramatic than the difference on the road.  I found the
> handling
> > still to be completely neutral, but with noticeably higher
> limits on what
> I
> > could both carry into turns and how soon I could dial back
> in the power.
> I
> > experienced something akin to a tangible feel of the tires and the
> adhesion
> > limits right there the whole time.  I honestly found myself
> contemplating
> a
> > set of track wheels and stickier tires for next time, since
> I think I
> could
> > finally take some advantage of more grip, because the
> behavior at and
> beyond
> > the limit was so predictable and solid as to instill real
> confidence.  A
> > complete blast was had by all!
> >
> > Bottom line is that you can count me as one of the group
> who considers it
> an
> > excellent investment, and a fine enhancement an otherwise wonderful
> driving
> > experience.
> >
> > Cheers!
> > Hutson
> > 1991 Spider [white] 133k miles [w/ a few of those on the track]
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