FR-S and BRZ Roll Bar Interest Thread!!!

[Sleepless]

Pics are here: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=16

I've had several bars made for other cars by other local roll bar fabricators and they've always been in the same price range; and these were all one offs. There are cheaper options out there, but they are not of the quality that I expect.

As far as needing one, all I can say is that is rolled my Elise 3 weeks ago, have a few friends that have rolled and totaled their cars, and seen some frightening rollovers. Not to mention the fact that my dad rides shotgun with me a lot. Like everything else, its a crap shoot; you just never know...

[Hyper4mance2k]

I want a 4 point bolt in w/ harness bar. I rolled my 2014 BRZ a month ago and walked away w/o a scratch. These cars are insanely safe, but I need a harnes & roll bar for HPDEs...

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Thorpedo

THAT will do nicely. Good post. Removable rear bar for use of rear seat? Well... "use" of rear seat.

Don't see it on their site, vaporware?

Originally Posted by Sleepless

Pics are here: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=16

I've had several bars made for other cars by other local roll bar fabricators and they've always been in the same price range; and these were all one offs. There are cheaper options out there, but they are not of the quality that I expect.

As far as needing one, all I can say is that is rolled my Elise 3 weeks ago, have a few friends that have rolled and totaled their cars, and seen some frightening rollovers. Not to mention the fact that my dad rides shotgun with me a lot. Like everything else, its a crap shoot; you just never know...

So, not a true bolt-in (since it needs welding), and backing plates in double-shear are plenty strong.


And I just can't see why they are charging $2000 for that, other than they can.

[Sleepless]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

So, not a true bolt-in (since it needs welding), and backing plates in double-shear are plenty strong.

Yes, you do need to weld in the plate in the front. I don't think you can do a properly strong front mount without it. The cheaper alternative bar requires a similar plate to be welded in place (http://www.autopowerindustries.com/R...baru-BRZ-2012-).

[Sleepless]

Here is another bar (http://shop.tunersmotorsports.com/?p...lt-in-roll-bar). Not much cheaper though, and I don't like the design from what I can see and I don't believe the front mount can be done with a simple bolt-in; floor is too weak there.

I researched a lot and found other bars are either vaporware or not designed properly or made of lower grade materials or are unnecessarily heavy.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Sleepless

Yes, you do need to weld in the plate in the front. I don't think you can do a properly strong front mount without it. The cheaper alternative bar requires a similar plate to be welded in place (http://www.autopowerindustries.com/R...baru-BRZ-2012-).

That may be your opinion, but it hasn't proven true in the Miata world.


There have been plenty of high profile rollover wrecks, using the bar I linked earlier with no injuries (or very minor) to the occupant. And that's on a car that doesn't already have a roof designed to protect in the even of a rollever crash, and a body structure designed in the late 80s.


A proper backing plate that places the inner backing plate in double shear with appropriate bolts it's more than enough.




The price reflects the lack of market, since I suspect most people buying these are flat billers and sub-25 market that have never been to the track and have no intention of actually doing so.


Not directed at you, just frustrating in general!

[Takumi788]

Just realized this thread was started in July 2013......has there been a cage made yet?

[Sleepless]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

That may be your opinion, but it hasn't proven true in the Miata world.

1. It appears that AutoPower and Cantrell are of the same opinion..

2. Each roll bar has to be designed properly for the car/application. My other bars were also purely bolt-in. I'm not at all saying that backing plates don't work well; they do in the right application.

3. There are way more Miatas in existence than there ever will be FT86s, so I'm guessing things will not change much in the rollbar market.

Anyway, I'm happy with my purchase, and there are other alternatives. At under $1000, the AutoPower bar is likely a very good choice for most people.

[J.Villain]

I'll just add for those that don't know. On the street a car with a roll bar or a cage is more dangerous than one with out. If you aren't wearing a helmet and strapped in with with a proper harness there is a very god chance you will crack your skull on the bar even a padded one. Go watch some NTSB crash test videos if you don't believe it.

As for putting a bar or a cage in for the track make sure you read the requirements for your racing organization before you start out. A lot of organizations won't allow the items listed here.

[EN2_Squirrel]

I am interested, but I care about is meeting FIA/NASA/SCCA requirements.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by J.Villain

I'll just add for those that don't know. On the street a car with a roll bar or a cage is more dangerous than one with out. If you aren't wearing a helmet and strapped in with with a proper harness there is a very god chance you will crack your skull on the bar even a padded one. Go watch some NTSB crash test videos if you don't believe it.

As for putting a bar or a cage in for the track make sure you read the requirements for your racing organization before you start out. A lot of organizations won't allow the items listed here.

True, but it also depends on where the seat is in relation to the bar.


For instance in my Miata, I'm short enough at 5'7" and sit close to the wheel, the only way for my head to hit the bar would have been for my FIA approved fix back seat break and move backward.


Even now looking at most of these bars that follow the B-pillar and where I sit, I wouldn't worry about it.


If you're super tall or have the seat laid back like a flat biller, I can see an issue.


You're also correct regarding the padding, SFI padding is designed to absorb HELMET impacts, not a bare head. SFI padding is not soft at all.

[Hyper4mance2k]

4 point bolt in like the GMG bolt in cages for the 911 GT3 RS
http://www.gt3rsregistry.com/docs/cages.htm

[redlined600]

That front mounting point looks less than ideal.