[DeTomaso] engine bay lower X-member

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

Sorry, AOL sent my message on its own before I hit 'send'????

I was writing (before I was so rudely interrupted):

> Here are links to the kits on their respective websites:
> 
> http://hallpantera.com/cgi-bin/p/awtp-product.cgi?d=hallpantera-inc&
> item=22697
> 
> Note that it says "complete" but it's far from complete, as you also have 
> to buy the square steel bar, and a pair of connecting tubes:
> 
http://hallpantera.com/cgi-bin/p/awtp-product.cgi?d=hallpantera-inc&
item=22062

And here is the complete kit on the PP website:

http://precisionproformance.com/sc1000.php

This much better illustrates the various components and how they work 
together.

Some people have brewed up their own home-made varients of the above.   One 
critical factor is that the key word is 'rigidity' meaning that the pieces 
need to be completely immobile.   Some of the home-brew jobs utilize rod 
ends where they are affixed to the car, which are by definition designed to 
allow complete freedom of movement.   That therefore renders them almost 
completely ineffective.   While they work in the tension and compression planes, 
they are completely hopeless at resisting bending motions, increasing 
torsional rigidity exactly zero.   I believe the real value of these kits above is 
the great increase in torsional strength they impart.

Mike