Many car enthusiasts want to see stretch marks under the hood of the car, and a safety cage in the cabin, which, in addition to satisfying "sports" interests, gives additional rigidity to the body and improves car control.

Stretch marks - spacers

The simplest part of increasing the rigidity of the body are braces, which are used for "transverse" connection of body parts. In this case, the "glasses" of both the rear and front suspension are connected. At first glance, the stretch looks like a piece of water pipe. Actually it is not. Such parts are made from specially selected pipes, taking into account the dimensions, materials used and the characteristics of a particular vehicle. Particular attention is paid to the quality of welded joints.

Sometimes tuners correct the mistakes of designers. Sometimes the body is flimsy and as a result - mediocre handling. In addition, in "flimsy" unreinforced bodies, the resource is reduced due to the appearance of cracks in the metal and tears, where corrosion occurs. At the same time, the "loose" body causes a decrease in passive safety, deterioration in handling and stability. It turns out that during operation in our conditions - stretching is not an extra option.

It should be noted that the distances between the body cups of cars of the same model may be different due to tolerances for inaccuracy. If in foreign cars the run-up between control points can be a couple of millimeters, then in domestic cars 10 mm is not the limit. Therefore, there are adjustable and non-adjustable struts.

Fixed structures are obtained by attaching spacers by welding. In this case, the spacer is welded into the power structure of the body, which provides the most durable and rigid structure. Since even a heavily tightened threaded connection can "breathe", this is excluded during welding, therefore, high demands are placed on the quality of welds.

There are extensions that are installed from the bottom of the car. This is an additional subframe, which can be located both longitudinally and transversely. The design of the transverse stretching beam connects the supports (struts) of the suspension arms. The above additional elements do not allow the body to "play" and "spread".

Materials for the manufacture of stretching beams: carbon and stainless steel, aluminum, titanium. The cross section of the stretching profile resembles simple geometric shapes: a circle, an oval, a square, a rectangle. In addition to practical applications, beams perform a decorative function. To do this, stretch marks are either painted in "combat" colors, or chrome plated.

The only thing to think about before installing the extension is that the car body is designed so that during the impact it can deform, fold in a certain way. Therefore, when installing stretch marks, a contradiction arises between additional rigidity and the direction of deformation.

safety cage

The next element designed to increase the rigidity of the body is the roll cage. Depending on the complexity, various amplification options are possible. The simplest - arches over the heads of the driver and passenger. Complex - a spatial skeleton that combines front and rear suspension cups, sills and sidewalls, as well as an interior safety cage into one power structure.

The frame is removable and non-separable(welded). Collapsible - most often a safety cage in the cabin, attached to the side pillar, threshold-floor. Welded - a frame of complex design, associated with the power structure of the car body, is used for serious tuning. Rigid requirements are imposed on sports and racing frames in terms of shape, dimensions, materials used and installation.

When installing most complex frames, the car turns from 4-5 local to a two-seater. Because the rear seats are given away for weaving and fastening pipes. Based on the size of the pipes of their installation, the frame creates certain difficulties with visibility. Four- or five-point seat belts are attached to them.

The material for the manufacture of frames is steel, sometimes aluminum. The average safety cage weighs 25-40 kg. It is often dyed in bright colors. On top of the pipes, protection is applied to some areas and the elements are sheathed with foam rubber or foam insulation. A sports car without a roll cage will not be allowed to compete.