Pelican Parts Forums - Fabricating a roll bar for track racing

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Sorry Mark,

I got a little excited here...must be the welding fumes..If all you want is a bolt-in roll bar, try DAS.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58157&highlight=DAS+rol l

I have a OG racing roll bar, which I have now made into a full cage( by purchasing the front half from OG) I am making nascar door bar also since I now have composite doors ;)

The OG bar is a good bolt in bar, it fits well, and is pretty robust. But it is not a true "bolt" in bar, you have to weld mounting plates to the sill right behind the rear seats.

Installing a rollbar, or cage means removing the seats, and portions of the interior. The DAS bar that was mentioned earlier bolts to existing recievers in the car, to install the DAS bar the seats have to be removed also.

The roll bar in my cab came from Racer Accesories, 619-258-1746

TimT & MMARSH: How about letting us see the results of all your efforts? The reason I'm going to a full cage is because I've also got F/G doors going in.

I hope expathk doesn't get P..off at me for keeping the cage subject alive & well in his thread! (At the very least, we're keeping it on the front BBS page).

Re: Fabricating a roll bar for track racing

Quote:

Originally posted by expathk
I'm about to start some low level club track racing with my '87. Because its a cab, I want a 4 point roll bar at least, to protect my thick head!

Given my location, I doubt I'll be able to find an off the rack type item, and getting one from overseas will just blow the $$.

Could I get a good welder to fabricate for me or am I kidding myself? Is it an art, or is it fairly straight forward? (eg show him some example of what I want and let him get to it).

Am I being a cheapskate about the value of my life and should I spend the cash to get a reputable o/s manufacturer of these items to freight me one ready to bolt in?

If you think getting a welder with some credentials to make one up for me is ok, what type of tube thickness should I be thinking of?

Thanks for advice.

Cheers
Mark

Man. Its your life/your choice.

For me, when it comes to safety, while I do watch my dollars, I do not skrimp either.

I would think long and hard before I build a roll bar. If you build a cage, you at least have multiple points to distribute the load, but with a bar, that is limited to just a few points. Add to that your desire to make it removable. This reduces the strength even further. Unless you are a structural engineer, with a ton of data on the design of the car/tub, I would go with a reputable manufacturer because as someone else already said, when the bad thing happens, the money you saved will be meaningless to you.

Sorry to be a wet blanket but I often see folks trying to save money in places where the subsequent failure can be extremely painful.

Good luck to you.

II6

I dont have any pictures of the interior of my car and because I'm behind the times, I dont even have a digital camera.

I will say that if I were running F/G doors on my car I would without question put some additional side impact protection on my current.

I'll do a search and see if I can come up with some pictures of a car with the safty devices cage installed.

Harry...your not a wet blanket at all. Thanks for your input.

I am going to go with a reputable manufacturer eg DAS etc.

I'm waiting ona quote from a guy here. Not sure whether he imports them or what.

I went over the border into China last night and talked (well made hand signs mostly) with a guy who makes cages for race cars in China series

His work looked good (as if I'd know!) but the guys working for him looked sort of errrr untrained, and the workshop was a disaster area, so I feel a little nervous about this option.

Quotes from suppliers in UK and US haven't sent me shipping costs yet, so I'm still waiting on this info too.

Thanks all for your input and any more pict.s would be appreciated.

Cheers
Mark

Hi Mark,

Which shop are you planning to order the DAS bars from? I bet you must be very excited preparing your car for the Zhui Hai trackday next year. Well, good luck and bring home a trophy!!

Hi Jeff,

Got a call from Mr Wong at Carrera Mortorsports this afternoon. He has a roll cage from an 88 that's just been removed. He's checking on the owners sale price and also the make.

I think I'll ring Road and Track tommorrow an see what they have to say.

Yes, I'm excited but cash is a problem at the moment. I'm still planning on installing the DAD seats that have been a topic of conversation here recently. Again waiting for the supplier to give me a price of freight.

Come on Jeff, come with me to Z. and put some speed on that sweet 964 of yours. We'll have a blast! I was there two weeks ago for some club racing and the girls at the Karoke Lounge were ummm...friendly!;)

Cheers
Mark

PS still haven't purchased the fibreglass front and rear ends but definitely a desire for later in 2003. Gotta learn to drive properly first!:(

Oh, I see!! Well, in that case, bring home a trophy and a girl!!;) Please do keep me informed of your search for a roll bar.

Have fun.