Mr Ree wrote:What are the different MANZ requirements for welding this compared to mild steel?
And does it double? triple? quadruple the cost?
The main benefit I can see is not just the reduction in weight, but where the reduction occurs, E.G high up in the car
MANZ don't care. MSNZ does. To the point that the use of 4130 alloy steel tube is restricted solely to MotorSport NZ registered safety cage manufacturers who have been granted ‘MotorSport NZ Recognised Manufacturer’ status. 4130 also needs to be tig welded.
These days the benefit in weight reduction is only really one you would realise if you were requiring a very extensive rollcage (aka lots of optional members which are allowed to be thinner wall thickness when using 4130) , because the weight of the principal structure is the same if using mild steel or 4130. Even then the savings are negligible.
All depends how much each gram of weight means to you in the type of racing you do. to a select few it is the difference between winning and losing. to the most of us it means not much.