Chassis Flex of F40

not sure what you are talking about. I klicked on the link and saw one post....have no idea what it is about

 

I have both...doesn't make sense to me...I notice no significant flex from either...but I am not an 'expert' .

Carlo

 

What a joke, the F40 is SUPER stiff.

 

Formula 1 teams can measure the rigidity of a chassis after an accident to see whether it is worth repairing - so surely there is a way to accurately measure such a thing (flex).

I always though the F40 would be very rigid due to the carbon fibre monocoque construction - but it is possible that due to aging it may have lost some of its strength. Considering Phil's first hand experience pulling them apart, I wouldn't totally right off his assessment - it is possible.

 

I would like to see what measurements were taken to determine a F40 as more chassis flex than a Boxer. I've owned the Boxer, 288 GTO, 512TR and F40 and I found the Boxer chassis to be the least stiff, with the GTO right behind it. I never would have considered the F40 to be a flexible chassis.

Someone in the thread mentioned something about the F40 being stiff because of carbon fiber. Not the case. The chassis in an F40 is still steel.

Steve

 

So how is the F40 build then? What parts are carbon fibre? Just the bodywork?

 

I can tell you from first hand experience of working on several examples of these cars that a typical Boxer flexes no more, and perhaps less than a typical F40.

This is observed from raising the cars on jacks/stands and carrying out major work ie engine removal etc etc.

Also observed from a body work removed dyno run where the F40 flexed laughably under full power...

I'm not saying it's a bad thing or anything at all really... just that it happens... after all, an F40 chassis isn't far removed from a 246 or 308... only WITHOUT the added strength the steel cars panels offer..

An F40 has a minimal steel chassis, with just a dressing of panels... most of which are poor quality fibre glass, with a veneer of carbon for effect.

Factors that affect how we notice flex are variable of course... And simply jacking an F40 compared to jacking a Boxer is not an equal comparison as the Boxer has more weight to lift... DESPITE that, A Boxer, specifically mine and many others I've experienced, twists no more noticably than an F40.

Further more... a diagonally jacked F40 has a greater degree of panel shift (door gaps/misalignment) than a diagonally jacked up Boxer... in my extensive and varied experience...

On the road, the wheel base, track, spring rates and reduced weight of an F40 means, of course, it is not very noticeable.

I'd love to see a scientific test of torsional rigity performed... and many race teams can do this if they build their own cars... I know from a respected race car builder (Dencar in Melbourne.. build Holden V8 supercars) though, that this often permanently damages a car, so I doubt we'll ever get a test result.