Mild Steel vs. Chrome Moly Tubing
 

My name is Frank Jackson and I just purchased a 72 Camaro that I will be building for Stock. I plan on running it in G/SA with the 200 HP 350. My question is that since I will be needing a roll bar put in, is the amount of weight saved by doing chrome moly worth the cost increase from mild steel tubing?

Re: Mild Steel vs. Chrome Moly Tubing
 

Remember that it is not only about total weight, but also where that weight is. And a car with a 4130 cage, all else being equal, will usually be worth a little more, provided the cage is done well. Further, always consider what the car might become in the future. I prefer 1 5/8" 4130 tubing myself.

Re: Mild Steel vs. Chrome Moly Tubing
 

4130 is lighter, stronger with less flex in the body panels, and I feel ads to the re-sale value. There's another opportunity to ad weight where you want on the car. Trust me, the benefits are not truly realized until later on as you become more knowledgable and experienced.

Re: Mild Steel vs. Chrome Moly Tubing
 

Check out a previous post on this sublect on the 4 th page of the tech posts ........Bottom line is that .O83" CM saves approximately 30% in weight over .134" wall ERW . ..............and added value to your car , But weigh the cost versus the weight , especially if you will need to add a lot of weight to make the class min weight. .............CM tube will provide no more rigidity over MS when the required wall thickness' are used ..... Rigidity and structural integrety come from proper bar placement and anchoring............... There are MANY killer performing cars that have a MS roll bar in them ........Tom

Re: Mild Steel vs. Chrome Moly Tubing
 

Also consider the MS can be welded with a MIG and the CM must be TIG welded which is more difficult and expensive.

Someone mentioned 1 5/8 CM was their choice. If you are doing a roll bar it must be 1 3/4 inch. 1 5/8 is reserved for roll cages.