Roll bars questions

[chief914]

I have a couple roll bar questions for all you cranially protected teeners

1) The roll cages I've seen that include a front down bar attached to the floor seem to block window crank operation. Is this true or does it just look like it blocks it?

2) What is the best cage to go with for autocross/street? I want to keep it a semi-feasible street car, so I wanted to avoid door bars and diagonal rear bar unless it is bolt in/out.

3) Does the bar that crosses left to right under the bottom of the dash cause any knee banging problems. (I'm 6' 190lbs)

4) How do racing requirements apply?

[John Rogers]

Here's a general answer to your questions:
1- On mine the door bar blocks it with the door shut. I heave the windows down most of the time anyways.
2- Depends on the owner and what they want, I.E. bolt-in or weld in or a complete custom cage.
3- Yes, but if you get the seat onto the floor it will be minimized.
4- Yes, absolutely. The best reference is the SCCA GCRs which cover the safety aspects and are the same (I think or better) as the PCA, POC and all vintage organizations. If you buy a cage that is DOM tubing and is made/installed by a SCCA approved vendor you will be in good shape.

I'd recommend going to some races, auto-x, DE events and ask the people that have a cage all your questions and take notes so you can make a decision. There are some who like one brand over another, but you'll have to decide. Good luck.

[campbellcj]

1 & 3) My 8pt custom cage built by Tony Collichio (http://www.tcdesignfab.com) does not block operation of the window cranks and the knee bar is tucked way under the dash (you can't see it unless you bend over). It is a great design and all the main tubes are as far away from my body as possible.

Yes, the top still fits...

2) You can get/build cages with a low "X" or a "Y" design for the door bars, for cars that are street driven. There is a thread on the 914club.com bbs with pics of various designs.

4) Definitely read up on PCA and SCCA rules. Basically they want you to use DOM mild steel tubing, 1.5" diameter and .90" wall thickness. Heavier cars (like mondo 914-6 or V8 cars) should use 1.5 x .120" tubing or 1.75" x .90" Use of aluminum, stainless, chromoly etc is discouraged or illegal in most race groups. You are also typically restricted as to how many connections can be made to the tub (6 or 8 is normal) and whether you can run tubes outside of the driver's compartment ("thru bulkhead" or "suspension pickup point" bracing).

[URY914]

I would refer you to pictures of my car on the 914club BBS under the post called "So now I know where everyone went..." but it is a little bit beyond a street car. There is some good info on general do's and don't that should be helpful.
Paul