How about a thread to discuss the old engineering quandary of structure vs mass as it applies to building a chassis? We have some folks on here with engineering degrees, and a whole host of others with credentials of designing, building, and driving some very good working cars that excel in street and or track performance cars.

My '57 is about due for a chassis, lots of mods done to the sheet metal and lots of sheet metal eliminated already so it's time to start designing the chassis. The criteria is quite simple, from outward appearances (with the exception of ride height) the car will be a 'gasser' style, complete with straight axle, long ladder bars, etc. The mechanical and chassis will be newer technology, including a 12 point cage, not state of the art but practical and affordable. The car will be dual purpose, mostly street with a blast or two at the drags from time to time.

First consideration is of course the frame, I'm considering either 2" X 3" rectangular tubing, or 1 5/8" DOM tubing.... Perhaps round moly, if I can justify the additional expense and convince myself the weight reduction is important. I can't see good enough to do much more than tack with a TIG anymore, so I'd also have to hire the welding done if I use moly. If I go rectangular tubing, I'm considering using 14 ga. (.083"), if it's round tube DOM probably .110" for the main rails and main cage hoop, then .083" wall for everything else.. Rectangular tubing for the main rails is easier to fabricate, but not near as 'racy' as a round tube car.

Weight is always a big consideration with me, 100 pounds extra weight adds 1/10 second to the ET. So, am I thinking too light, too heavy, or about right on materials?