Finally looks like there is a proper bolt-in roll bar solution!

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by FRS Justin

I should have been more clear on my application for drag racing and that I requested removable door bars for my daily driving. Spencer Fab does top quality work with premium materials or I wouldn't have used them.
I met Mark the owner and he's a stand up guy. I feel confident that if I need a cage which I hope I don't that it will keep me safe and perform it's job flawlessly. I don't fly by night and skimp on safety items!!!

No worries, and hence my edit.

Once I started thinking about it I realized it was an NHRA cage. So I apologize to Spencer for being disrespectful.

I was looking at the cage from a road racing/TT standpoint. My sincere apologies (Seriously, I'm not being a sarcastic **** this time!).

[FRS Justin]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

No worries, and hence my edit.

Once I started thinking about it I realized it was an NHRA cage. So I apologize to Spencer for being disrespectful.

I was looking at the cage from a road racing/TT standpoint. My sincere apologies (Seriously, I'm not being a sarcastic **** this time!).

Its all good brother

[spitfire481]

NHRA spec to 8.50. The lower rocker bar isn't needed, just added to help stiffen things up

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

Although a weld-in cage should be mounted using plinth boxes, not just landing pads, a la:

The absence of a plinth box isn't indicative of a bad cage. I rarely see them in race cars. If you look at SCCA Improved Touring cage specs it's not even mentioned. However! What's really neat about a builder that does use this technique is that he cage is installed (at least the main hoop and forward bars) with holes in the body of the car so the cage can "drop" down so the tops points of the cage can be welded completely. Then the cage is raised up so it's flush with the a-pillars, roof and body and welded into the plinth boxes.

I just dropped off another race car I just bought to my mechanic to fix this very flaw.. The top of the cage weld points aren't complete so I need the windshield to come out and the roof skin to come off to finish them off.. Or we cut 2.5" holes in the roof to get to the weld and then bondo that part of the roof to make it flush.. Grrrr. But the landing pads in this new car are very thick, well above GCR spec.

[philooo]

I can't believe that so many cage builder don't have a clue on how it is done... I had the same problem with my cage and had to fix some unfinished welds.. no more craftsmanship these days !

[redlined600]

I did a lot of searching and the best I can tell the rear of the auto power roll bar lands on the wheel arches.

Does anyone have pictures of one installed?
@Element Tuning ?

[FrX]

Does *anybody* make a decent bolt-in 4-point suitable for HPDE use?

[Sleepless]

Originally Posted by FrX

Does *anybody* make a decent bolt-in 4-point suitable for HPDE use?

Yes, www.cantrellmotorsport.com. It isn't on their website but I have one and posted some info on it. Not cheap, but very well made and you can remove the rear crossbar so you can leave the seat in for a quieter car on the street and to haul tires to the track.

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

[D K]

Here is mine.

[GSpeed]

We've got plans for one. Can't say more than that right now, but we'll get started roughly this time next month. We'll of course be publishing the design process on here.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

The absence of a plinth box isn't indicative of a bad cage. I rarely see them in race cars. If you look at SCCA Improved Touring cage specs it's not even mentioned. However! What's really neat about a builder that does use this technique is that he cage is installed (at least the main hoop and forward bars) with holes in the body of the car so the cage can "drop" down so the tops points of the cage can be welded completely. Then the cage is raised up so it's flush with the a-pillars, roof and body and welded into the plinth boxes.

I just dropped off another race car I just bought to my mechanic to fix this very flaw.. The top of the cage weld points aren't complete so I need the windshield to come out and the roof skin to come off to finish them off.. Or we cut 2.5" holes in the roof to get to the weld and then bondo that part of the roof to make it flush.. Grrrr. But the landing pads in this new car are very thick, well above GCR spec.

That's surprising, I guess the cars (and builders) I'm used to seeing at my local track (typically BMW coupes and the like), there is always a plinth box to tie the floor/rocker/rear seat area into one spot.

I also wouldn't hold SCCA IT cars as any kind of standard to aspire to.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by FrX

Does *anybody* make a decent bolt-in 4-point suitable for HPDE use?

I think I'm going to have my buddy who has built multiple competition cages take the Autopower bar and modify the front mounts.


$1600 for a bolt-in 4 point is not reasonable in any stretch of the imagination. Add another $600-700 and you can have a properly built 6 weld in cage built to your exact spec.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

That's surprising, I guess the cars (and builders) I'm used to seeing at my local track (typically BMW coupes and the like), there is always a plinth box to tie the floor/rocker/rear seat area into one spot.

I also wouldn't hold SCCA IT cars as any kind of standard to aspire to.

Those safety standards worked for me more than once.

Plinth box is primarily a function of builder approach, not necessarily a function of improved safety vs using a thick landing plate welded to the frame which you can also use to tie three parts of the area together. But hey, if putting down safety standards of an organization makes you feel better about your BMW, then I guess..

[OkieSnuffBox]

You have to understand where I am, Oklahoma. Most of the IT cars are old and aren't something I would pattern a build after.

But it's the internet, I know everyone is looking to get offended about something.

Have a great weekend!