Custom crossmembers

[Gabe]

Just briefly toying with the idea of making a custom engine crossmember for my next engine conversion, and was other people's thoughts on the idea.

There is no reason one couldn't be knocked up, and making it stronger than factory shouldn't be an issue either. Only real problem I see is maintaining stock steering rack position, for those of us with R+P that is. May even make non R+P cars slightly easier to convert to R&P?

Positioning the engine in the bay would be more flexible. Allowing for a lower engine position if desired, and could even be used to place the engine mount itself in a better lateral position on the block.

If designed correctly, you could use it to hide wiring and/or hydraulic lines too. Incorporated jacking plates maybe? Also means no sump mods if you're doing a conversion like RWD 3SGTE. Anyone know the legality of this? Custom gearbox crossmembers are common as buggery so I can't see why this wouldn't be engineerable.

Thoughts?

[MWP]

The only thing stopping you would be an engineer/RTA... hence talk to them before starting anything.

[oldcorollas]

the stockers are made from pressed sheet, and the forming process gives them a fair bit of strength. they are usualyl funky shapes to incorporate the different positions of stuff.
welding one up you might need to go bigger to get same strength (with welds being weakness) and need careful design to not compromise strength and stiffness (esp if it has R&P) when making allowances for all mounting points....

no reason it couldn't be done, except legal.

[Gabe]

Yeah, I was thinking that any real change in direction would need to be suitably strengthened, but a properly made one would better the factory item in every way, except maybe weight.

Pros seem to outweigh the cons at this stage, provided they're engineerable that is

[Grega]

speak to engineer. do not pass go. do not collect $200.
was thinking of doing something similar to this ala what the v8 supercars do.
agree in that it would solve alot of engine conversion *issues* however the cons might outweigh the pros' after speaking with engineer.