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1500 Midget Weight [Roll Cage Considerations]

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RobSelina

RobSelina

Jedi Warrior
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Anyone weight their 1500?

I'm looking into SSCA cage specifications and the spec changes at 1500 lbs. Moss lists a curb weight of 1849lbs, though I had 1650 stuck in my head for some reason. I'm a little lighter, but probably no more than 100 lbs compared to stock...

I'm inclined to use 1.5"x0.095 DOM either way, but curious if 1.375" DOM is an option for me...

My offroad club is buying a new bender this summer and I want to make sure we get an appropriate die for my future project at the same time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif 1.5" is pretty standard for offroad projects too, so it would be a logical size I guess....
 
If my safety were in mind, I would rate the car at 2500 lb. Seriously, 10 gallons of gas (100 lb), me (200 lb), gear, possibly a second passenger. Why have it if it's not going to protect you?

Ben
 
When my car was more of a quasi-street car (with top, heater, two seats, spare tire and so forth....but no bumpers and full cage) it weighted about 1780 lbs.
I would guess that it weights about 200 lbs less since I ditched all the street gear.
 
sounds like 1.5" DOM then.

I'd like to ditch more unnecessary parts from my car but most of it is only allowed in the prepared class, which is anoying. Building a cage and having to retain my carpet and interior panels wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but I'll try to play by the rules.....
 
[ QUOTE ]
If my safety were in mind, I would rate the car at 2500 lb. Seriously, 10 gallons of gas (100 lb), me (200 lb), gear, possibly a second passenger. Why have it if it's not going to protect you?

Ben

[/ QUOTE ]10 gallons of gas would be closer to 60 pounds. It weighs about 6.25 pounds per gallon
 
1 1/2" .095 DOM is waht amost all SCCA club racing Spridgets use, 1.375" is allowed but in thicker wall thickness, I don't have a GCR in front of me but I bleieve it's .125". The 1.500" .095 DOM will be cheaper and easier to find.
 
Thanks Hap.

I'm incined to agree with everyone and just use 1.5" DOM. I've been reading the GCR section on roll cage fabrication and trying to absorb the details. I've got a rough idea of what I'll build in my head, but I'll definitely sketch it out and get some feedback from you guys before I start bending and welding! (probably next spring)
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If my safety were in mind, I would rate the car at 2500 lb. Seriously, 10 gallons of gas (100 lb), me (200 lb), gear, possibly a second passenger. Why have it if it's not going to protect you?

Ben

[/ QUOTE ]10 gallons of gas would be closer to 60 pounds. It weighs about 6.25 pounds per gallon

[/ QUOTE ]

The weight guidelines say measurements should be as raced w/o fuel or driver.

Honestly, 1.5" tubing is pretty dang big for such a small car. The spec is very safe and conservative...
 
Finished reading the GCR cage section and I'm pretty confident I can build something to spec that will be both safe and functional. Only thing I want to look into more closely is the new requirement for side impact protection (p103). I'm not sure if I'll have to cut into the door to keep that bar away from my elbow. Will have to mock it up and see....
 
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