Plenty of computer modeling has been done, but no, there has not been a comprehensive set of tests done by a third party company. Would be interesting to see each (current) manufacturer donate a bare chassis for such testing, but I'm in doubt of getting many of them to do so.

So, with that said, how about you purchase a bare chassis from say the big five (ERA, SPF, Backdraft, FFR, and SAI), and then find a third party company to test each one against itself. You could then publish a small book on your findings and perhaps recoup 1/5th of your up front costs :LOL:


Bill S.


Bill S.

I can say, without a single doubt, that the FFR is the MOST rigid chassis in my garage. And you can take that to the bank! ;)

Tim7139,

I hope the below information is what you are asking for.

Bill. S,

We did do some third party testing and below are the results. (I must say that I was disappointed in the numbers as my computer FEA sims showed better numbers, but as they say, "Bob's your uncle" and there it is.)

The original 95 inch chassis was tested by Spectrum Technologies of Livonia Michigan in the mid 90's.

The results were as follows.

Elastic mode 1: Bare chassis (no skin) 4580 lbs per degree torsional-natural frequency 24.7 Hz
Elastic mode 2:Skinned chassis 8400 lbs per degree torsional-natural frequency 57.1 Hz
Elastic mode 3:Chassis with stressed engine. (302 bare block, front and rear plates) 10960 lbs per degree torsional-natural frequency 89.78 Hz

The inclusion of a 6 point roll cage changed the mode 3 numbers to 12680 lbs per degree torsional- natural frequency to 101 Hz.

The tests were done in both static mode (per degree notation, shaker rig) and dynamic mode (Hz notation, piezo transducers and hammer, Labview DAQ)

And of course all this talk of chassis rigidity really means very little as long as you are above the range of 3500 lbs per degree. You will probably be very happy with the chassis from a structural standpoint with that number.

Few Cobra folks will ever input wheel loads that impose a force sufficient to displace the pickup points enough to affect the tyre contact patch.

How about real world experience, a lot of Cobra's have been around 20 yrs. and more. What does the glass look like on cars that are truly put to the test.

Richard,

Thanks for chiming in, as always, you are a class act, as was Bob from ERA for posting up a link to the article, explaining such things.


Bill S.

Chassis
 

That is a damn good chassis.... if only mine were half that good I would be like the veritable pig in shi$$

I noticed a definite difference in my chassis rigidity when I added side bars and a full width roll bar in my car. Those numbers seem to bear that out when you added the cage.

Now that, coming from you, is damn funny :LOL:

So true!

Chassis rigidity
 

My car is a wet noodle compared to what Richard has, I only can wish.....

So I'll buy Richards car, and the you and I can do an even swap :D