Terry Field Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 As it says above, how do I tell, and what are the differences great? I have a '99 S3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 23, 2022 Member Share Posted January 23, 2022 https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/techtalk/chassis-metric-or-imperial-0https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/techtalk/chassis-metric-or-imperial-1Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 I have a 98 chassis and its definitely an imperial arch chassis. Being a 99 car I think you are also a brazed welded chassis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted January 23, 2022 Author Share Posted January 23, 2022 Thanks Jonathan,Fortunately the car is up on stands, so I will have a crawl underneath! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted January 23, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted January 23, 2022 A '99 is an Imperial chassis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted January 24, 2022 Author Share Posted January 24, 2022 #5 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Brown Posted January 24, 2022 Share Posted January 24, 2022 Definitely imperial, change was 2005. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 Actually 2006, as I was given the option of Imperial or 'new' metric chassis on my first car - opted for the proper Arch chassis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted January 26, 2022 Author Share Posted January 26, 2022 So having ascertained that I have an imperial,chassis, I am intrigued as to what the differences are between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 26, 2022 Member Share Posted January 26, 2022 There's a few in the threads linked above.And differences in fasteners are in Shaun's Bolt List.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 Primary difference (apart from metric versus imperial fasteners) is that the imperial chassis is brazed, whereas the metric one is welded. Originally they were supposed to be robot-welded, but I understand they couldn't get the robots to work properly and switched back to hand welding everything (though I guess that could just be an internet rumour, I don't have any sources for it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueyedbiker Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 Which is the stronger out of interest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 The metric chassis is considered stiffer. That's not necessarily the same as stronger - in an accident the brazed chassis might be able to flex and absorb more impact without permanent damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 I can assure you my bronze welded ARCH chassis held up perfectly in a frontal impact, there were torn tubes and significant deformation but all the bronze welded joints were 100% intact, both Bruce and Phil , spent time examining it for there information too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevehS3 Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 A couple of snippets from the Chris Rees book. I think the design changes were more important than the joints - I am not aware of problems with either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted January 27, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted January 27, 2022 The easiest way to spot the different chassis type is to look at the pedal box cover, an imperial chassis has a symmetrical cover (viewed along its centreline) whereas on a metric chassis the cover is asymmetric.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TANGO7 Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 Is an Imperial Chassis not identifiable by locating the Arch Motors jig number - stamped on the seat belt mounting boss behind the driver’s right shoulder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 The beauty of the brazed chassis is that joints can be heated and taken apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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