Front end damage/bent engine cradle
#1
Posted 03-08-2018 10:56 AM
#2
Posted 03-08-2018 11:01 AM
To me the front sub frame is the engine cradle, so the sub frame itself can be replaceable inexpensively. The question would be is the damage limited to just the sub frame. If the entire front end is twisted it may be able to be straightened.
If it were me and you were serious about buying the car, i would ask to have it looked at first, go to a frame shop, buy two hrs of rack time to put it on a frame rack and have them measure it that will tell you how bad off it is and what it will take to make it straight.
Frank
TnT Racing
SCCA Ohio Valley Region
#3
Posted 03-08-2018 11:18 AM
Look for any wiggles in the firewall, floor or trans tunnell. If there are bends in any of these places, the tub is junk. I think all of would agree that when the tub is bent, the car should not be repaired. Might be a good parts car, but without pix it is hard to say.
- FTodaro and jcl17 like this
Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0
Building Championship winning cars since 1995
4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017
Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017
5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's
6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder
2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder
2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)
2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)
2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief
2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)
Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230
#4
Posted 03-08-2018 02:45 PM
#5
Posted 03-08-2018 02:55 PM
I think it’s toast but still taking advise. Have pics but how do I post? I couldn’t find a thread instructing how and my pics are too large to upload.
If you post your pic any place online you can post the link here. Photobucket, whatever.
Also up above ^^^ you have your own Gallery to post to.
J~
#6
Posted 03-08-2018 02:57 PM
You can post them to the gallery. Gallery may also have a size limit, I don't recall. Or you can host them on photo bucket (I assume that's still a thing), or somewhere similarly public...and then link here.
-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info
video: vimeo.com/tomhampton
Support: X-Factor Racing
I didn't lose, I just got outspent!
#7
Posted 03-08-2018 02:57 PM
Johnny beat me to it....yet another race I got outspent!
-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info
video: vimeo.com/tomhampton
Support: X-Factor Racing
I didn't lose, I just got outspent!
#8
Posted 03-08-2018 03:31 PM
I’m looking at buying a ‘99 SM that was involved in a front end crash. The owner disclosed that the engine cradle was bent and subframed damaged. He said it is still driven at track days (not races). Not sure how he can do this if the engine is actually not lined up straight??? Anyway, I think the car can be picked up for a song as a parts car at worst. That said, I’d love to get it back up and running as it was once a very fast car (multiple NASA win history) and is a pro build. What could possible be involved in fixing said problems? Can it be drivable again? If car is “trackable now†can I replace the subframe/engine cradle and get new motor mounts and consider it ready for inspection again??? Any advice is appreciated. My mechanical knowledge is very low as I’m new to SM and racing. Thanks.
I know the car, the damage is pretty bad with buckled tunnel on both sides and floor and a very poor repair to pass side rail. I would spemnd my money elsewhere. Someone like myself could buy that car and repair it correctly, but it is not worth the price. I would tub another car and swap parts
Jim
East Street Auto Parts
Jim@Eaststreet.com
800 700 9080
#9
Posted 03-08-2018 04:32 PM
http://s1259.photobu...jcl171/library/
#10
Posted 03-08-2018 04:42 PM
#11
Posted 03-09-2018 09:00 AM
Once the tub is damaged, the cost of repair exceeds the value of the repaired car. Plus you will never know if it straight untill you try to allign it. then you will never know if it handles well untill you actually race it. Big gamble if it does not work. Not any savings if it does work. No good reason to try.
I have seen at least 2 cars come through the shop that had been improperly repaired from damage like this. Some a-hole wanted to make some money off his mistake. Sold cars stating they where good cars, only to find that they paid good money for a parts car. I feel bad for the buyer. But I can't stand the seller.
Buyer be ware
dave
Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0
Building Championship winning cars since 1995
4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017
Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017
5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's
6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder
2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder
2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)
2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)
2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief
2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)
Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230
#12
Posted 03-09-2018 09:34 AM
#13
Posted 03-09-2018 10:56 AM
That crack in the floor seam on the driver's side? Seems like a pretty hefty hit. That's some significant bending and tearing pretty far from any designed crumple zone---the footwell is not supposed to move.
Its hard to imagine how that much stress could be transmitted that far into the unibody without f-ing up something in between.
-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info
video: vimeo.com/tomhampton
Support: X-Factor Racing
I didn't lose, I just got outspent!
#14
Posted 03-09-2018 04:14 PM
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