Designing a strut bar for the R56

[lordwind]

Hey guys,
Designing a strut bar for my MCS R56, wanted to know what you guys think.
I have quite a bit of knowledge designing these bars but I never know what I want until its already done. So what do you guys think?
Should I make it one piece or three piece
and should I make it out of Steel or Aluminum

Here are some pictures
Thanks
Josh


http://www.masonengineering.net/minibanners/MasonMiniR56frontview.jpg

http://www.masonengineering.net/minibanners/MasonMiniR56fronttopview.jpg
http://www.masonengineering.net/minibanners/MasonMiniR56Drivertower.jpg


http://www.masonengineering.net/minibanners/MasonMiniR56Drivertopside.jpg

[TWISTER]

3 piece I think. Great job on this! It looks awesome!

[lordwind]

I am also designing a bar for the R56 MC
My friend at work has been letting me use his car for fitting.

More pictures to follow as this progresses

;)

[Nascar Mini]

Looks great, i would use 6061 aluminum strong and yet light.Also 3 piece.
Bill

[lordwind]

I am using extruded 6063 T6511 1/8 wall 3/4 x 1 1/2 inch Domestic Aircraft grade aluminum alloy, 8mm allen bolts & -locknuts @4 plcs on the horizontal plane , inter-locking into female channel connection welded onto platforms rh & lh
same dimensions for carbon steel version strut bar, but with 14gauge wall tubing

[Nascar Mini]

I 'm sure that will be fine,i was thinking the x bar was solid alum. bar stock,(not extruded) as thats the way mine is, with welded sleeves on the ends for the thru bolt to connect to the shock tower plates.I'm sure after you build the first one,you could sell others to club members to recoup some of the time effort and money that went in to the prototype.Good luck with a great project.Keep us informed of progress.
Bill

[MidnightDave]

Way cool! I do know certain bars hit on the bonnet liner and cause some issues for their owners, not sure if that's a consideration for the R56 / your bar?

I don't think it's a show stopper, but it does get a lot of press, so I thought I'd mention it.

Keep us posted on your progress--not for my car, of course, just like to see cool stuff take shape...

[lordwind]

Dave,
That was one of my very first concerns was clearance in all directions.
We actually used a "crushed cup" method to find our clearance and adjusted for it accordingly.

So that shouldn't be an issue :D