jimjim's tofu shop: More Bars And Double Vision

This week has been super exciting for me with the roll cage on my car being started last week. progress was steady when i checked it out last time as you can see on my previous post, But what i didnt know was just how much closer to completion it would be the next time i went out to see it. if you look back to my last post you will see in the photos the main loop (b pillar to b pillar) was done and the front bars were done going from the main loop down the a pillar then down to the floor. done in only a few days i was impressed that's for sure. so you can imagine how uuber awesome it felt to walk in on wednesday to see this done...

looking through the front window i saw the rear stays and cross bar welded in place. it was looking like a real roll cage now! obviously this got me buzzing with happiness, the harness bar on the main hoop was cut and sitting in place as it has to be welded in the right position when the seat is mounted so the shoulder straps dont pass a certain angle (dont ask me what that angle is as i have no idea).
I got a little closer and it became more and more obvious just how much work had been put in over the couple of days i hadnt seen the car...

that triangulated goodness above is sitting infront of the a pillar. if you are familiar with the ae series of vehicles, you will know, that the front strut towers sit a way away from the windscreen, thus leaving a fair bit of flexability. not good on a race car. the bars above one to the bottom of the windscreen and one to the bottom of the front stays. throught to the strut tower eliminating flex and in the event of a crash evening out the frontal impact load to the whole of the cage and chassis. making the car safe and win for rigidity.

and there it is coming through the fire wall to the strut tower. often left out on entry level race cars, for either lack of knowledge, money or care. i am happy i decided to put it in now and not have to do it later. i am told it will most definately not regret going to this extent with the cage. As you will have seen above the dash bar has also been welded in place to lower the steering column to suit a slightly lower seat position and stifning up that area of the car. As most cars have a dash support bar already in place this is also an area often left without attention. so i am happy i made the decision to have a bar put in here aswell.
here are a couple more photos to have a look at...

Although the second image is a bit dark, please inlarge and have a look. thats the top of the windscreen bar that was being made as i left last time now welded into place.
You may have noticed that a crucial part of the cage is missing, that being the side intrusion bars. They were made and ready to be welded in but left till last so its easier and more accurate when making the seat mounts etc. A racetech was chucked in and we sorted a seat position out, VERY FAR FORWARD due to my short legs lolz. But this is ok because Sheldon is making them so the seat can be put on sliders or if its just me, solid mounted, getting the seat ever so slightly lower and safer. I wouldnt be suprised if the car was finished now waiting for me to pick up with the speed and effort that has been put in by Sheldon at motorsport developments, I cant thank him enough for the top job he done. Dont worry there will be photos of the finished product. i cant wait to sit, harnessed up in my very own race car. It will be all i need to get motivated and finish this car off.

On thursday i went out with friends Logan and Blake to take some pics of there E70 Corollas. Some of you may remember Logans KE varient from earlier posts as i sold him the rare Bilbo wheels of my AE85.
Others may be familiar with Blakes AE varient of earlier years sitting mint and low on Impul pro mesh Wheels with good size and offset.