Technical Chassis Math

Does anyone have the calculations to determine amount of pie cut for desired drop of model a front end?

 

Cardboard patterns are cheap to make, the pie cut will be a lot less than you think it will be. Bob

 

Everyone has their own idea as to how much 'drop' is right for them. Best way to do it is mock up one side of the chassis/car and work out what is right for you. Once that is established make cardboard templates and replicate on the other side.
Bob has some good advice too!

Doc.

 

depends on a bunch of stuff, like how much do you want to raise the front cross member, where you make the cut, how you make the cut, etc, etc.

i would suggest you make a quick little tool something like this...
find a piece of material, maybe a piece of sheet metal or a thin piece of lumber that is 4" tall and at least as long as the section of frame rail you want to cut plus a foot or so. cut it in half right about where you think you're gonna pie cut it then over lap the two pieces by an inch or so. square everything up, drill a hole in the lower corner of the overlay right on the bottom edge and put a small bolt through the hole to act as a pivot. scribe a line along the overlap, then raise the section to the desired height and scribe it again. measure that angle and voila! THEN transfer that angle to a duplicate piece of practice material, cut it and see if its what you want. repeat until desired effect is achieved.

 

Thanks. All good advice.