Rich_p 23 Posted August 5, 2008 I am about to take delivery of a 2nd hand Sparco cage for my 309, minus the mounting plates. I'm not sure what to do about mounting it, the original plates look like thick steel that have been threaded. I'm assuiming I should be able to find somewhere to make me up something similar. My question is do they need a nut on the other side or would an inch or so thick piece of threaded steel be sufficient to hold the cage in once the plate is welded in place? Any idea of anyone in the Herts/Essex area that could make them up for me? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bren_1.3 1 Posted August 6, 2008 they need to have a nut welded to the back of the plates. any local blacksmiths would make them up. just make some cardboard plates as templates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rich_p 23 Posted August 6, 2008 How does that work. Do I need to cut a hole under where the plate is going to be welded to allow the nut to go through and the plate to sit flush? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bren_1.3 1 Posted August 6, 2008 correct. its a "bit" (understatement) of a pain as the front plates require you to put two holes into both the sills, and the rear plates will also require 3 holes to be made. the holes end up being quite large to account for the weld that runs on the outer edge. a dremel would suffice quite easily i imagine, but i did it with a file and patience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rich_p 23 Posted August 6, 2008 correct. its a "bit" (understatement) of a pain as the front plates require you to put two holes into both the sills, and the rear plates will also require 3 holes to be made. the holes end up being quite large to account for the weld that runs on the outer edge. a dremel would suffice quite easily i imagine, but i did it with a file and patience. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baz 421 Posted August 6, 2008 (edited) The front mounts don't need holes IME, depends what cages they are i guess. OMP and SD cages have a box like mounting made up to weld to the inner sill where the front legs mount, the main hoop as bren says, needs the holes made for the captive nuts to sit recessed, then the plate welded to the shell. I need to make up a couple of sets before i can mount my cages, so if yours mounts similarly then we'll make a few more Rich. A pic of the front mounts, courtesy of Ben (Bonzai) Edited August 6, 2008 by Baz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bren_1.3 1 Posted August 6, 2008 ah ha! now looking at that, the sparco cage is shorter and sits on the lip of the inner sill. well before the curve on the door frame. which is where i had to make two reasonable holes in the inner sill to mount the sparco cage to! at a good guess thats a SD cage on the photo???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baz 421 Posted August 6, 2008 Yup, SD C44, but i'm pretty sure all the SD models are similar, and the OMP cages are the same, but not boxed, just 2 sided angle! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rich_p 23 Posted August 7, 2008 The cage I have coming is a sparco one that does mount on top of the sill. The pictures of the old plates definately look like they are threaded, rather than having a nut underneath though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bren_1.3 1 Posted August 7, 2008 can you get away with that in competitive motorsport? i thought it had to be boxed in to comply with any regs. Rich P: the original plates that you get with the sparco cages are pants to say the least. welding a captive to the underside of the new plates that you will have to make is the only safe option. i'd personally prefer a welded captive nut to 3/4/5mm threaded steel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
