Roll bar padding questions.
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Roll bar padding questions. Did a search...according to the rules, it says that it must meet SFI 45.1 requirements or have a 1/4 compression which I think when compressed has to be 1/4" thick. Well, I really dont see myself spending $20+ for 3 ft. of padding, so has anyone confirmed that the cheap stuff will pass? Also, how many feet will I need? I plan to pad both the driver's side and passenger's side for when I do have a passenger.
If you plan on having a passenger and want to daily drive the car, then don't use the cheap stuff. Use the SFI 45.1 rollbar padding for the passengers sake. I didn't want to take any chances as I daily drive my car with the rollbar. I didn't like the thought of having no padding or the inexpensive stuff that I was going to buy first with the bar looming large right behind my head
. I then put some thought into it and decided to go with 1 inch thick summit racing padding. It's not an arm and a leg, but it will set you back about 40-50 depending on shipping(and if you order 2 3ft sticks of it like I did).
I was able to do the both pass and driver side and still had a length left over for the over the backseat bar on the driverside......I'm usually the only one in my car so I feel no need to do the pass side over the rear seat bar....but will probably buy some more anyway.
Its your head in there, chose to protect it wisely.....even if you drive around with a helmet on, on city streets lol.
J
. I then put some thought into it and decided to go with 1 inch thick summit racing padding. It's not an arm and a leg, but it will set you back about 40-50 depending on shipping(and if you order 2 3ft sticks of it like I did).I was able to do the both pass and driver side and still had a length left over for the over the backseat bar on the driverside......I'm usually the only one in my car so I feel no need to do the pass side over the rear seat bar....but will probably buy some more anyway.
Its your head in there, chose to protect it wisely.....even if you drive around with a helmet on, on city streets lol.
J
I used to have a link to a nice tech article on rollbar padding, but the link is now dead. 
Basically, pipe insulation (aka the cheap stuff) makes the bar softer to touch, but does nothing for an *impact*. It compresses too much. It does little to nothing to protect the head.
The hard padding (aka the expensive stuff) has been proven to provide padding against *impacts*. That's why it's SFI rated.
If you want to keep your pipes from freezing, use the cheap stuff. If you want to protect your head, spend the $50 or so on the padding.
(I think Summit sells 3' sections for under $20/ea).
As for 'passing tech', you'll probably pass either way, or even no padding, depending on your track, if you're just doing test n tune or something. If you're entering a true event, they'll probably inspect closer.
Basically, pipe insulation (aka the cheap stuff) makes the bar softer to touch, but does nothing for an *impact*. It compresses too much. It does little to nothing to protect the head.
The hard padding (aka the expensive stuff) has been proven to provide padding against *impacts*. That's why it's SFI rated.
If you want to keep your pipes from freezing, use the cheap stuff. If you want to protect your head, spend the $50 or so on the padding.
(I think Summit sells 3' sections for under $20/ea).As for 'passing tech', you'll probably pass either way, or even no padding, depending on your track, if you're just doing test n tune or something. If you're entering a true event, they'll probably inspect closer.
Originally Posted by InvisibleSun
I second what Camaroholic says. Don't be cheap when it comes to your head!
