NS F355 Project (Page 20/73)
Yarmouth Fiero APR 08, 07:23 AM
Ok, here's a few shots for those that prefer bland.........ha-ha-ha-ha-ha

Although I admit, the artistic views add an interesting " softer perspective".



Yarmouth Fiero APR 13, 08:27 PM
With the chassis rocker frame reinforcements still out for final welding, it was time to tackle the transverse firewall frame modifications. As I had noted earlier in the thread, we plan to install roll over hoops on our 355 spider and as the top of the firewall is only fabricated from sheet metal parts that have been spot welded together, we felt it was necessary to had more strength in this area and provide a suitable foundation for the hoops. As well, since we are removing the roof, we thought it would be a good idea to substitute the removed transverse roof structure with a frame that would connect the upper frame rails to the top of the firewall. The design we came up with was a 4" x 3" x 1/8" HSS that was cut down to match the slope of the firewall and would fit between the upper frame rails. This left a frame with a rectangular cross section that was 3" high, 4" across the bottom and about 3" across the top, a slightly skewed rectangle I guess. We cut the forward side of the 4" x 3" HSS and then capped the open side a piece of 3" x 1/8" flat bar. We also left material on each end of the frame to form flanges that would be used to help secure the frame in place. This includes a top flange and an aft side flange that was bent back 90 degrees to the frame. As you can see, everything is only tacked together at this point.





With the frame fabricated and tacked together, it was time to modify the top of the firewall to accept the new frame. The top of the firewall has a formed flange with a second 'Z' shaped sheetmetal structure spotwelded to the underside. This structure is probably quite strong as designed originally, however, we wanted to get our new frame tucked right up under the firewall flange so we proceeded to remove the 'Z'shaped structure. Holy crap there were alot of factory spotwelds and as well, the ends of the structure lapped over top of the upper frame rails and sandwiched under the firewall flange. It was a days work just to remove that one piece of sheet metal. As we want to fabricate this structure and then remove it for welding, it had to be able to drop between the upper frame rails and slide forward into place behind the firewall. Thus we had to remove about 4" of the inner flange of both upper frame rails. We'll bead weld the exposed flange edges later. We also had to notch the B pillar on both sides so that the top flange of the new transverse frame would slide through.

These drawings show the original sheetmetal in place, then the 'Z' frame removed and finally the new transverse frame in place.







Here is a picture of the new transverse frame in place and a close up of the drivers side.





The remaining flange on the top of the firewall will provide a great place to plug weld the firewall to the frame where the spot welds were drilled out and as well, with the new frame fitting up tight behind the firewall, the forward face of the firewall will be drilled for plug welding to the frame as well. This, together with the flanges on the new frame should provide ample strength to the whole structure while tying eveything together. I also have plans to install vertical structure that will tie the new frame to the lower frame rails of the chassis for additional strength.

This drawing shows how the rollover hoops will be secured to the new transverse frame by passing through it, allowing them to be welded on the top and bottom faces of the transverse frame. This will all be completed prior to final installation in the car.



As I mentioned, there are still vertical supports to be fabricated and installed and then the whole assembly will slide back and out for final welding and then installation. I am also considering having the rollover hoops powder coated after they are welded to the frame but prior to installion of the frame.

I also plan to investigate a suitable design for finishing the ends of the new transverse frame where they currently pass into the B pillar. Once the roof is removed and the B pillars cut off, the ends will be exposed for attention.
Bloozberry APR 22, 06:04 PM
Get your tires yet?
Yarmouth Fiero APR 22, 06:12 PM
Sadly.... no. The 265 35 18's were special order and they have not arrived yet. Must be on the slow boat from Italy.

I have been working on the firewall frame and the parts are out for welding as well as working on the design for the mirrors and gathering info and material for their construction. I've reverted back to the traditional 355 design with the folding feature.
Bloozberry APR 22, 08:44 PM
I hope that's not an omen of how difficult it will be to get this size tire when we need replacements.
Yarmouth Fiero APR 22, 08:58 PM
I know. But I am sure the boys will make them last for years...ha ha ha
Yarmouth Fiero APR 27, 11:43 AM
Finally........ the tires arrived. Just picked them up from the shop. Mounted, balanced and ready to roll. Now......all I need is the car.

I am very happpy with the selection and I think they will look pretty good on an all black 355 spider. I'll have to stop by with a front and rear and slip them in the wheel wells of your 355 body Blooz. In these pictures, the wheelbase is pretty close but my wooden blocks were about 1 1/2" too high. Still, another small milestone reached on what will be a very long project.

As a refresher, they are as follows:

Drag DR31 flat black wheels with Dunlop Direzza DZ101

Front 17 x 7 ET40 5x100 with 215/45/17
Rear 18 x 9 ET38 5x100 with 265/35/18

All inflated to 32psi






Edit: Photos edited for correct tire direction.

[This message has been edited by Yarmouth Fiero (edited 04-27-2013).]

Bloozberry APR 27, 12:13 PM
Very nice... although we are a very picky crowd: you've got both wheels "mounted" on the wrong side of the car! Tsk tsk! BTW, are you sure you don't want to inflate those to 50 psi for better mileage?
Yarmouth Fiero APR 27, 01:53 PM
Ha ha ha ha ha. Wow....that was fast...ha ha ha. as soon as I hit send I realized the wheels were backwards.

Stand by for new photos.
Yarmouth Fiero APR 27, 02:26 PM
Ok, tire direction corrected. I also applied ArmorAll and orientated Drag hub name to horizontal alignment for photo shoot.