Calibra rear subframe strengthening (damper mounting point)

[tiff_lee]

Ok so I mentioned calibra in the title first mistake but just humour me for now....all aboard

Got some rear coilovers for my calibra that use the original damper mounting points on the car but obviously these weren't originally designed to take the weight of the car. The top mounting point is not my concern as i've seen a solution for that my question is will the bottom one be strong enough or even better any ideas on how to brace/strengthen it?

Here is a pic of the old subframe and the mentioned mounting point


any ideas?

cheers, Lee

[*BenH*]

Is that cast? I dont think your little mig is going to do that tbh. Would be easy enough to add some flanges and boxing though, if it's needed.

[tiff_lee]

Erm not sure TBH, my little mig? no need to be like that mate

No problem taking it elsewhere to be welded I just thought I would enquire about this now before I remove the frame in the future to do the camber mod.

[*BenH*]

Lol! Should be cast steel so a 7018 arc rod would do it, if it's cast iron (I dont think it will be) a nickle rod or stainless one would do it. The bit that hangs down that damper mounts to, I'd box out the 'I' section on one side. Then add a gusset plate underneth where the screws are sitting on the backplate in the pic.

[rc]

its a pretty substantal arm for the damper, unlike fitting coilovers to something with a beam like an astra or nova which are pretty thin with small bolts, the calibras are alot thicker and better designed with alot bigger bolt. i'm going to be fitting coilovers to the calibra arms and hadnt planned on adding anything to the bottom, although obviously adding bits isnt going to do any harm.

[tiff_lee]

Yes very true, I just thought I would ask before I remove the frame so I could do it at the same time if deemed necessary.

[DarrenH]

so are we saying we cant mig weld cast steel ?

[*BenH*]

so are we saying we cant mig weld cast steel ?

You can mig weld it, best to use a different filler wire though as it depends on how 'dirty' the steel is and a big enough set. I just find it easier to arc weld to cast as you weave it more on the cast bit and draw the arc out for better penetration. The 7018 arc rods are more suitable to slighty disimliar steels. That mount is fairly beefy so probley not needed, unless it's for rudder brackets?

[tiff_lee]

unless it's for rudder brackets?

I was thinking of somewhere to attach the anchor to, rudder bracket will be on the rear diff

[*BenH*]

Ah I see, Your going for this conversion?

James Bond underwater Lotus Esprit by rileycars2000, on Flickr

[tiff_lee]

If only it was anywhere near as cool as that.

So the consensus is no strengthening of that point should be required?

[*BenH*]

Unless you really want to for piece of mind, probley not not needed. Would be nice to see what the cav btcc cars looked like underthere?

[rc]

was under my vec today and had a quick look at their mounting as they're coil-over as standard and looks the same as the cali (poor pic though )

[tiff_lee]

Coilovers as standard that's a bit posh. Looks very similar with the I shape casting I guess that settles it.

Thanks for the info everyone.