CHASSIS SPECIFICATIONS
Q: What actually is a Chassis?
ANSWER
A chassis is a steel box section frame in which the engine, suspension and body work are mounted to. This is the largest and most important structure within the entire car.
Q: How strong is the Chassis?
ANSWER
Our SB5 UHP-1 and UHP 2 chassis are fabricated using a thick wall square section box section which has approximately 40% greater tensile strength than the thin wall tubing as shown in this photo to the right. This gives us an exceptionally strong and rigid base in which to build a sports car chassis and suspension system.
Q: What difference does the thick wall box section make to the car?
ANSWER
A chassis that is built from steel with a higher tensile strength will be structurally stronger with less chance of the chassis twisting and distorting under high load demands ie cornerings, braking, acceleration. The thicker wall box section is more resilient to surface rust and is significantly less likely to crack (metal fatigue).
Q: If the chassis is stronger does it improve the handling of the car?
ANSWER
All our suspension is mounted to the chassis making it more rigid and therefore there is less suspension flex meaning the suspension alignment does not change with high cornering forces. The benefits of this are that a Raptor chassis will always give you a more balanced and better handling car.
Our award winning chassis incorporates a very clever "through bolt" designed for the lower wishbones and front rocker assemblies again to cope with the high cornering forces.
Q: I want to-do a self build. Will I weaken the chassis by drilling holes into the chassis to mount components during my build?
ANSWER
In order to reduce weakening of the high tensile steel chassis structure, fixings for engine mounts and brake pipe / fuel pipe supports have all be painstakingly welded onto the chassis. All you need to do is clip the parts to these mounts. The chassis also comes with mounts for the wiring loom and dedicated earth points and mounts in which to fix panels to. Brackets are also welded into position for radiators, water pump and flexi brake lines. Not only does this save build time but it reduces the need to drill the chassis which would reduce strength and potentially allow a path for ingress of water.
Q: Are all your chassis built in-house and how do you ensure they accurate?
ANSWER
All our chassis, front suspension sub-frames and wishbones are fabricated in their own Raptor jigs. They are then assembled by our team of highly skilled coded welders. Using the jigs ensures that all the sub-components are accurate and identical.
Q. Which chassis suits me?
ANSWER
All our chassis use the high tensile box section. There are 3 variations of the Ultra High Performance chassis (UHP-1, 2, 3)
We class road spec cars as being fitted with non turbo'd engines and having a power to weight ratio up to 400bhp/Ton.
Road Use Only - best option SB5 UHP-1
SB5 UHP-1 Chassis
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Fabricated from high tensile box section and high tensile round tube
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Jig fabricated
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Incorporates our F1 style front push-rod suspension
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High load front lower wishbone mounts
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Cross braced steering column mounts to reduce scuttle shake
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High tensile seat mounts for side impact protection
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Mounting bosses welded to chassis. (Reduces drilling into chassis core)
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Mounting plates pre-welded for fuel tank, radiator and steering rack
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Rear suspension has toe adjustment for better high speed stability
Road and Track Day use - Best Option UHP-2
UHP-2 Chassis
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As SB5 UHP-1
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Designed to cope with high torque demands of turbo charged engines and being over 400bhp/ton
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Increased impact protection providing the driver with better safety
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Additional cross bracing on front suspension cradle
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Additional cross bracing on rear differential cradle to handle high torque engines
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Additional bracing in bulkhead area
Motorsport based applications - Best Option UHP-3 (as used in our Club Sport models)
The steel box section that we use is of a higher grade than that of the UHP-1 and 2 chassis.
UHP-3 Chassis
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Fabricated from ultra high tensile box section and high tensile round tube. Lighter chassis structure with superior structural rigidity and increased impact protection
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Designed to cope with high torque demands of 500bhp/ton Raptors
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Further cross bracing on front suspension cradle
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Further cross bracing on rear differential cradle to handle high torque engines
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Integrated full cage with side impact bars made from high tensile roll-cage tubing that is beyond the recommendations of the FIA, providing the driver with a "safety cell"
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Further bracing in bulkhead area
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6 point harness mounting points on driver and passenger side compartments
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Front and rear towing eyes
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Front and rear anti roll bar mounts
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Rear suspension has toe adjustment
Q: Can i paint my chassis myself before i start my build?
ANSWER
All box section comes with a rust preventive coating and the steel has scaling on it from the milling process. While the rust preventive coating can be cleaned off, the scaling cannot. It is very important that the surface finish on the chassis is roughened so that the paint will adhere to the box section better. I would strongly recommend that the chassis is professionally shot blasted before it is powder coated. If this is not done then any powder coating or paint will fall off the chassis within a short period of time.
I would also recommended that that chassis is hot powdered coated. This makes it more impact resistant and adds an excellent surface finish to your car. All our factory built Raptors are put through this process. This is a service that we can provide for you should you require it.
We also offer numerous colours of powder coating. Why not be creative with your chassis and car panel colour combo's and really make your Raptor self build your own!
Q: I see you have Raptors with full cages on. Is this just for racing?
ANSWER
The primary function of the roll cage is to give a driver a safety cell. The cage has been designed so it deforms on impact thus absorbing impact forces or "crush areas" in numerous directions. (side impact, rear impact and rolling impact) The roll cage bars have been designed so they are well away from you body thus significantly reducing the chances of you sustaining any form of impact or injury. For example, the side bars are positioned in such a fashion so they deflect impact away from you in the cabin.
Our roll cages are an integrated part of the chassis structure therefore it doesn't encroach into the cabin space in the way an aftermarket roll cage might. Plenty room for those knees - especially if you are a larger/taller driver.
A shoebox is always stronger with the lid on and that goes for a Raptor too! A full caged model will always be stronger!
Customer Feedback
Awesome! I love how it makes the Raptor so much more aggressive and imposing on the road!
Just feel so much more confident in the car on track, it's like having a safely shield around me!
Awesome design, clearly see that this is an engineer's cage !
I went for the Azure blue bodywork and dark grey Full cage and chassis, stunning combo!