Which roll bar is more functional???
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From: Valley Village, CA
Which roll bar is more functional??? Ok, I am getting a 4pt for my car (actually, I just got one, but more on that later) and am wondering which design is the most FUNTIONAL...
Now, I am NOT getting it to pass NHRA Tech... I hardly go to the track (make that have never in this car gone to the track) and am only doing it for canyon carving (car already has Boxed SFCs, LCAs, Panhard Rod and Koni DA's at every corner with Strano 35mm front and 22mm rear bars)...
SO, which design (referring to mounting points of the bars coming off the main halo) is the best:
This one (which seems the most driver and passenger friendly) which mounts in the sail panels:
This one (which would cause me to remove rear speakers and possibly interfere with my nitrous):
Or this one (which looks strong, wouldn't interfere BUT may cause visibility issues):
Are any of these roll bars "better" (talking about STRUCTURALLY and the rigidity they add) than another because of the points they mount at?
Any information is appreciated!!! I am considering selling the one I have if there's a difference in the rigidity they add due to the mounting points... I am not saying which one I have because I don't want the replies to become bias... Thanks!
Now, I am NOT getting it to pass NHRA Tech... I hardly go to the track (make that have never in this car gone to the track) and am only doing it for canyon carving (car already has Boxed SFCs, LCAs, Panhard Rod and Koni DA's at every corner with Strano 35mm front and 22mm rear bars)...
SO, which design (referring to mounting points of the bars coming off the main halo) is the best:
This one (which seems the most driver and passenger friendly) which mounts in the sail panels:
This one (which would cause me to remove rear speakers and possibly interfere with my nitrous):
Or this one (which looks strong, wouldn't interfere BUT may cause visibility issues):
Are any of these roll bars "better" (talking about STRUCTURALLY and the rigidity they add) than another because of the points they mount at?
Any information is appreciated!!! I am considering selling the one I have if there's a difference in the rigidity they add due to the mounting points... I am not saying which one I have because I don't want the replies to become bias... Thanks!
i would think that the one that goes where the speakers are would be more so functional because it gives support kinda near the wheels but i dunno im not an expert by any means on this subject
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Originally Posted by 94z28L
i would think that the one that goes where the speakers are would be more so functional because it gives support kinda near the wheels but i dunno im not an expert by any means on this subject
The first one mounts by the wheels but in front of them and a little lower (behind the sail panels)...
The second one mounts by the wheels but on top of them (basically)...
Thanks for the quick response! Expert or not any thoughts are appreciated...
! 
The most "functional" means the one that will give you the most protection.
I don't think any of those designs are adequate.
The rear down bars should fall where there is plenty of body to attach to. The fender wells are the thinnest pieces on the car. Do you think if you attached the bar and lifted the car, the fender wells would sustain the weight?
Look at the area behind the shocks on the flat bulkhead. Several body panels all come together here in layers. a much stronger base.
Also, a bent tube is a weakened tube. No road racing sanctioning body allows pre-bent rear down bars. The loading sent along the length of the tube will place the mount in shear. Not good.
Finally, the main hoop should sit on top of the rear seat mount rather that in the passenger foot well. It's just a stronger place.
Last year I began building cages for Camaro/Mustang Challenge, Camaro/Mustang Challenge 2, American Iron, American Iron Extreme and American Iron Vintage road racing cars. I've seen some real hack jobs.
I don't think any of those designs are adequate.
The rear down bars should fall where there is plenty of body to attach to. The fender wells are the thinnest pieces on the car. Do you think if you attached the bar and lifted the car, the fender wells would sustain the weight?
Look at the area behind the shocks on the flat bulkhead. Several body panels all come together here in layers. a much stronger base.
Also, a bent tube is a weakened tube. No road racing sanctioning body allows pre-bent rear down bars. The loading sent along the length of the tube will place the mount in shear. Not good.
Finally, the main hoop should sit on top of the rear seat mount rather that in the passenger foot well. It's just a stronger place.
Last year I began building cages for Camaro/Mustang Challenge, Camaro/Mustang Challenge 2, American Iron, American Iron Extreme and American Iron Vintage road racing cars. I've seen some real hack jobs.
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From: Valley Village, CA
Originally Posted by mitchntx
The most "functional" means the one that will give you the most protection.
I don't think any of those designs are adequate.
The rear down bars should fall where there is plenty of body to attach to. The fender wells are the thinnest pieces on the car. Do you think if you attached the bar and lifted the car, the fender wells would sustain the weight?
Look at the area behind the shocks on the flat bulkhead. Several body panels all come together here in layers. a much stronger base.
Also, a bent tube is a weakened tube. No road racing sanctioning body allows pre-bent rear down bars. The loading sent along the length of the tube will place the mount in shear. Not good.
Finally, the main hoop should sit on top of the rear seat mount rather that in the passenger foot well. It's just a stronger place.
Last year I began building cages for Camaro/Mustang Challenge, Camaro/Mustang Challenge 2, American Iron, American Iron Extreme and American Iron Vintage road racing cars. I've seen some real hack jobs.
I don't think any of those designs are adequate.
The rear down bars should fall where there is plenty of body to attach to. The fender wells are the thinnest pieces on the car. Do you think if you attached the bar and lifted the car, the fender wells would sustain the weight?
Look at the area behind the shocks on the flat bulkhead. Several body panels all come together here in layers. a much stronger base.
Also, a bent tube is a weakened tube. No road racing sanctioning body allows pre-bent rear down bars. The loading sent along the length of the tube will place the mount in shear. Not good.
Finally, the main hoop should sit on top of the rear seat mount rather that in the passenger foot well. It's just a stronger place.
Last year I began building cages for Camaro/Mustang Challenge, Camaro/Mustang Challenge 2, American Iron, American Iron Extreme and American Iron Vintage road racing cars. I've seen some real hack jobs.
Not sure where in CA you are, but there is a great fabricator on the west coast.
The name is Alan Blaine and his company name is Blaine Fabrication.
He has been building cages and cars for years and has one of the best reputations. He is also very affordable.
He will build you a cage to do exactly what you want a cage to do ... protect the driver.
Here is a thread on our latest cage build. Pics are inside.
http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=7940
It's for road racing, so the design is for a specific rule set.
Autopower is the only ready built cage I would consider
The name is Alan Blaine and his company name is Blaine Fabrication.
He has been building cages and cars for years and has one of the best reputations. He is also very affordable.
He will build you a cage to do exactly what you want a cage to do ... protect the driver.
Here is a thread on our latest cage build. Pics are inside.
http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=7940
It's for road racing, so the design is for a specific rule set.
Autopower is the only ready built cage I would consider
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Well, after e-mailing this question to LMPerformance (G2) (regarding the roll bar in the first picture I posted):
__________________________________________________ ___________
"I was considering buying your 4 point roll bar with brace for my 1998
Camaro
Z28, here's the link to the item:
http://www.lmperformance.com/2945/1.html
I like the design because it seems to maintain the interior of the
car's
functionality but I was concerned about it's mounting points...
It looks like it mounts to the floor pan in the back and then to the
wheel
wells... Are these really strong enough points to mount a bar? I am
especially concerned with mounting to the wheel wells, I am just afraid
it
will flex the wheel well as I don't think there is a lot of
material/metal
there but maybe I am wrong...
You guys seem to really know your stuff when it comes to this and I
love all
the other products I have gotten from you... so any information on this
subject is appreciated! Thanks in advance!"
__________________________________________________ _____________
I got this short and sort of scary (in its simplicity) response:
__________________________________________________ _____________
"Hi,
Yes it will. Its used in racing and what not.
Thanks!
Leon
http://www.LMPerformance.com"
__________________________________________________ ____________
Which has left me like
?!?!
I mean is it just me or is the phrase, "Its used in racing and what not..." NOT THAT COMFORTING ?!?!
__________________________________________________ ___________
"I was considering buying your 4 point roll bar with brace for my 1998
Camaro
Z28, here's the link to the item:
http://www.lmperformance.com/2945/1.html
I like the design because it seems to maintain the interior of the
car's
functionality but I was concerned about it's mounting points...
It looks like it mounts to the floor pan in the back and then to the
wheel
wells... Are these really strong enough points to mount a bar? I am
especially concerned with mounting to the wheel wells, I am just afraid
it
will flex the wheel well as I don't think there is a lot of
material/metal
there but maybe I am wrong...
You guys seem to really know your stuff when it comes to this and I
love all
the other products I have gotten from you... so any information on this
subject is appreciated! Thanks in advance!"
__________________________________________________ _____________
I got this short and sort of scary (in its simplicity) response:
__________________________________________________ _____________
"Hi,
Yes it will. Its used in racing and what not.
Thanks!
Leon
http://www.LMPerformance.com"
__________________________________________________ ____________
Which has left me like
?!?! I mean is it just me or is the phrase, "Its used in racing and what not..." NOT THAT COMFORTING
?!?! 
