Post roll cage lap time differences

[Walldodger]

Has anyone noticed much of an increase in lap times after installing a cage?
Im almost committed on installing one. Kind of hoping it's not a big difference.
Thanks,

[MurderousPandas]

Originally Posted by Walldodger

Has anyone noticed much of an increase in lap times after installing a cage?
Im almost committed on installing one. Kind of hoping it's not a big difference.
Thanks,

Adding weight, you can expect acceleration to drop, but you'll probably end up doing some weight reduction if you go that route.
I think what you should be asking yourself is do you need a roll cage? Safety is not something to question because of performance.

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[Icecreamtruk]

Not my personal experience, but one of the people that regularly track his 86 along with me and others. He installed a roll bar (or half cage, only the rear portion) and bucket seat with harness. He dropped around 1sec in a 1min lap with that alone. In his words "I feel more connected to the car, I can feel much more with my bum, and I dont need to hold onto the wheel or support myself with the knees so its a lot easier to do it". I cant say anything myself, only what I have heard, he is the only one racing a before and after cage (others went cage right away, because of wheel to wheel regulations).

Edit: weight wise, the stripping of the interior plus the ligther seat still helped, but he still ended up a touch heavier than before.

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by Walldodger

Has anyone noticed much of an increase in lap times after installing a cage?
Im almost committed on installing one. Kind of hoping it's not a big difference.
Thanks,

Cage should NEVER be considered a performance option. It should ALWAYS be considered a safety option.

There are many things you need to consider with a cage. Its not advisable to drive it everyday, most folks only trailer their car since the cage is so close to the head.

Secondly, when you cage, you strip the interior out so net net weight is more or less the same.

While I have not experienced any performance gains (lap time wise with data) in my previous race cars before and after, I can attest that I am a LOT more comfortable, less tired and therefore perhaps faster being pinned in a race seat with harness and with some peace that my Hans device is also intact. Is the chassis stiffer, absolutely. But I did it for safety since I was in wheel to wheel (as its also a requirement).

For my FRS, I am having it half caged (roll bar) with seats and harness vs a full cage since I will be driving it to and from the track vs having a truck/trailer/race car.

Hope this helps.

Lutfy

[byun]

I've noticed i've gotten quicker post roll bar w/ harness and fixed back seat. You are much more relaxed and not bracing yourself so you can feel how the car is reacting faster giving you more control.

I've left the rear interior seats and panels in, but did offset with lightweight battery a bit so not sure my car gained that much weight.

[Walldodger]

Originally Posted by MurderousPandas

Safety is not something to question because of performance.

Originally Posted by lutfy

Cage should NEVER be considered a performance option. It should ALWAYS be considered a safety option.

My intentions are to make my racing safer. Not 100% concerned on times, It's just a "nice to know". Wanting to get a harness and HANS device and want to top them off with a cage. Currently planning on a half/four point/roll bar type cage. Would just get a full cage but I still want to daily the car, and local laws make it difficult.
I've used two of my nine lives at the track over the years and don't want to get hurt by another stupid mistake.
I have started using a race seat just on track days and have noticed a huge difference in comfort and confidence with that alone.
Thanks for all your input!

[redlined600]

Typical rollbar is probably in the 60 ish lbs range plus another 15-20 lbs per harness w/ mounting hardware. So just under 100lbs. Depending on what you take out will determine your net weight gain (or loss).

From there one could probably interpolate based on the time increase from having a passenger.

[Sleepless]

Originally Posted by Walldodger

Has anyone noticed much of an increase in lap times after installing a cage?
Im almost committed on installing one. Kind of hoping it's not a big difference.
Thanks,

Depends on driving skill level. Anyone driving less than 10/10ths competively is not likely to notice a change in lap times (other than possibly going faster due to the seats and harness and added sense of security).