Body Rigidity
I was playing Gran Turismo and was just going through my garage and the shop and saw the rigidity refresher which got me thinking: how long/hard can you drive your car before compromising the rigidity of fresh steel?
I do take my car to the track, autocross, and go on a canyon run once in a while that have resulted in my fair share of spins and slides. Now, I realize my skill is not at a high enough level for a minute difference in body rigidity to even matter but doesn't this all add up eventually?
Also, now that I think about it, my friend (whose name I'm withholding
) and I dented one of my frame rails on a jack stand when he jacked the other side of the car too high. It's been about a year since and I haven't really noticed anything, but would this come back and bite me one day when I'm skilled enough to consistently push on a track?
I do take my car to the track, autocross, and go on a canyon run once in a while that have resulted in my fair share of spins and slides. Now, I realize my skill is not at a high enough level for a minute difference in body rigidity to even matter but doesn't this all add up eventually?
Also, now that I think about it, my friend (whose name I'm withholding
) and I dented one of my frame rails on a jack stand when he jacked the other side of the car too high. It's been about a year since and I haven't really noticed anything, but would this come back and bite me one day when I'm skilled enough to consistently push on a track?
Leave it up to Honda's Engineers, I'm sure they know what their doing... (just look at their incredibly impressive reliability record)
I highly doubt the chassis is subjected to loads exceeding the yielding point. I'd be more concerned about fatigue (cycles), which is far more complex.
I highly doubt the chassis is subjected to loads exceeding the yielding point. I'd be more concerned about fatigue (cycles), which is far more complex.
To start, Honda made quite a rigid frame!
You know I race an AP1 and I personally added quite a few bars...you have an 09 so there should be no problems I hope

http://www.gotuning.com/product_info.php?f...roducts_id=1280
http://www.gotuning.com/product_info.php?f...roducts_id=1084
http://www.bethania-garage.com/s2000.htm
X-brace
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...ic=708670&st=0
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/Z1Performan...ace_Honda_S2000
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/Z1Performan...Bar_Honda_S2000
Don't know what to think about that:
http://www.gotuning.com/product_info...oducts_id=1282
Thread on the subject:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...c=762523&st=25
Yes it does add up eventually. Honda made a very good chassis, but it is not bulletproof. After a few years of hard driving, you will notice that the chassis starts to flex. Not a huge amount, but noticeable.
For instance, I tried to install an aftermarket x-brace about a year ago -- when we pulled the stock brace off, it didn't fit, so we tried to install the stock brace back on, and we needed me and another strong guy with crow bars to pry it back on, the chassis had flexed so much.
That's why you'll hear a lot of veteran racers (or racers who just race older model cars) talking about chassis swaps. I haven't seen any S2000s that needed one yet, but it is just a matter of time.
For instance, I tried to install an aftermarket x-brace about a year ago -- when we pulled the stock brace off, it didn't fit, so we tried to install the stock brace back on, and we needed me and another strong guy with crow bars to pry it back on, the chassis had flexed so much.
That's why you'll hear a lot of veteran racers (or racers who just race older model cars) talking about chassis swaps. I haven't seen any S2000s that needed one yet, but it is just a matter of time.
Originally Posted by zbrewha863,Jul 24 2010, 02:06 PM
Yes it does add up eventually. Honda made a very good chassis, but it is not bulletproof. After a few years of hard driving, you will notice that the chassis starts to flex. Not a huge amount, but noticeable.
For instance, I tried to install an aftermarket x-brace about a year ago -- when we pulled the stock brace off, it didn't fit, so we tried to install the stock brace back on, and we needed me and another strong guy with crow bars to pry it back on, the chassis had flexed so much.
That's why you'll hear a lot of veteran racers (or racers who just race older model cars) talking about chassis swaps. I haven't seen any S2000s that needed one yet, but it is just a matter of time.
For instance, I tried to install an aftermarket x-brace about a year ago -- when we pulled the stock brace off, it didn't fit, so we tried to install the stock brace back on, and we needed me and another strong guy with crow bars to pry it back on, the chassis had flexed so much.
That's why you'll hear a lot of veteran racers (or racers who just race older model cars) talking about chassis swaps. I haven't seen any S2000s that needed one yet, but it is just a matter of time.
Wouldn't that help when you start to experience flex?
I've seen one, I don't know what it's called either. They have them at collision shops. I have no idea if it would help with chassis flex, but I've never heard of anybody using it for that reason.
Trending Topics
Originally Posted by zbrewha863,Jul 27 2010, 12:41 PM
I've seen one, I don't know what it's called either. They have them at collision shops. I have no idea if it would help with chassis flex, but I've never heard of anybody using it for that reason.





