DeTomaso Mailing List: May 2001, Message #90

Mike,
Most body cracks are appearing on P cars once hard driving is introduced.
Don't forget the Pantera was designed for the street. Higher G force turns,
heavy braking and and launch will take effect. These days we have better
tires, better brakes and more track opportunities for street cars. The
Pantera does not have a very rigid design.
All of the chassis braces available from vendors (that I have seen) are only
supporting the local area of the suspension mounting points. Which means 70%
of the car is still flapping around like a Belly Dancer.
Most of the 4/5 point bolt in cages are a compromise of minimized cockpit
intrusion and astetics, but are better than nothing.
The P car needs serious body support for serious driving; a welded in cage
with rear diagonal bars to the engine bay, all welded to the A, B and C
pillars. With additional fabrication to stengthen the extremities of the
body. This will be optimal but very much permanent. Which most folks dont
want to do.
One final thought; Many people make the mistake of fitting ultra stiff sway
bars and hard springs to a stock chassis/body which simply induce more body
vibration and flexing because the stiff suspension is more rigid than the
rest of the car.
Be thankful the P car was not designed with a bonded in Windshield like the
Lambo Countach, they crack the windshield when driven hard.

Dean