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Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 04:28 PM

I'm just thinking here.

I'd like a roll cage. I'll weld it in.
I'd like a racing seat. May modify a stock seat.

Also as a side bonus, I may have a complete set of barely used Kumho Victoracers. 225/50/15's...FREE!!!


KT

Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 18 2006, 04:31 PM

Home Depot here he comes!

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 04:50 PM

Gotta love it...

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 18 2006, 04:54 PM

make sure you know *exactly* what the rules are ...

it takes a lot of experience to do a cage right ...
Andy

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 04:55 PM

Actually, I'm looking at the Autopower u-weld kit that connects to the Autopower roll bar I already have.

http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60080C&Category_Code=AP080

The seat, yeah pretty much Home Depot for the fiberglass supplies.


KT

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 18 2006, 04:57 PM

i was afraid you would say that ...

good luck ...
Andy

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 04:58 PM

Also there is a welding/metal supply house ten minutes from my place.

Thatta way I can add a cupholder, too. hee hee.


KT

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 05:00 PM

no good?

Autopower is supposed to be really good.


KT

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 18 2006, 05:05 PM

unless they have changed their design in the last few weeks, the front crossbar is in front of the lower dash which puts it right in front of your knee-caps.
in a frontal crash, your knee-caps will be sheared off ( ) ...
and i don't recall you being much shorter than i am ...

the two times i have been in a track car with a autopower cage, that part made me feel very uneasy ...

but hey, it's your legs, not mine!
Andy

Posted by: Part Pricer Apr 18 2006, 05:09 PM

I've always been uncomfortable in cars with Autopower cages. That lower bar just looks at my knees and licks its lips.

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 05:14 PM

Hmmm. Maybe I should leave that lower bar out or have a modified one made.


KT

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 18 2006, 05:20 PM

i think it's an overall "bad" design ... the front bars come down to the longs way too early, the lower cross bar is too close to your knees, no tie-in to the front fender wells, the door braces are cumbersome at best ...

you gotta take a closer look at one of Tony C.'s cages to get a better idea of what *can* be done ...
Andy

Posted by: nine14cats Apr 18 2006, 05:21 PM

Hi Trekkor,

I used a Safety Devices cage in our old 628 car and the Safety Devices and Autopower cages both have very low hanging bars next to your knees. I was never happy with it to tell you the truth.

One thing you can do is take your fabrication skills into play and redo the dash layout and relocate the bar up into the dash away from your knees...you said you like projects...this would be a good one. It is my opinion that the whole cage would not be as strong without the cross bar at the dash.

I did have other parts of my cage cut and re-welded in better positions for the car and drivers. After the modifications I had as much into it as I could have had TonyC build and custom cage for me.

This weekend you can see Fritz' cage. The knee cross bar is up out of the way of your legs and makes it nicer (and safer) in my opinion.

Bill P.

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 05:31 PM

Hopefully from the inside, at speed. hint, hint.


I've seen some really fantastic cages. No arguement from me there.
I can't cough up the $1500-3000 to go all out, right now.

One thing to keep in mind here: I will never race.

It's just for added safety for the occassional DE and the extra chassis stiffness.


KT

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 18 2006, 05:47 PM

explain to me again why it's any different to hit a wall at sears at 100mph+ during a DE/TT rather than during a club race?

why does the name of the event make a difference?
Andy

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 05:56 PM

the hitting wall part is the same. :shudder: :cringe:

Seems that in wheel to wheel racing incidents between cars that lead to walls happen more frequently.


KT

Posted by: nocones Apr 18 2006, 05:59 PM

All that having been said...
Wanna buy a full autopower cage? Never been installed...

Posted by: nocones Apr 18 2006, 05:59 PM

All that having been said...
Wanna buy a full autopower cage? Never been installed...

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 06:11 PM

Immediately!

How much?


KT

Posted by: jgara962 Apr 18 2006, 06:13 PM

Hey Trek, if that's a "full" cage, I'll buy your hoop from you

Posted by: nebreitling Apr 18 2006, 06:19 PM

i don't think PVC welds very well, Trek...

anyway, i'd verify that your main hoop is in fact DOM with proper wall thickness etc -- might as well start with an updated main hoop as long as you're going to the trouble.


Hi

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 06:24 PM

Look who's back

Show us your recent work... Good stuff coming.


KT

( he did say PVC, didn't he? )

Posted by: Randal Apr 18 2006, 06:28 PM

Trekkor,

Did you call Ken in Reno to find out if he would do a custom cage for you?

Also what would Tony charge for a complete 914 cage? Tony's cages willl absolutely be designed right and I've always found him to be reasonable.

Let me know the $$$ and we'll figure out how to get it covered.

Randal

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 06:48 PM

thanks, Randal.

You are one the main reasons why I am looking into getting a cage.
I appreciate your concerns regarding safety.

I haven't made any calls yet.



KT

Posted by: nebreitling Apr 18 2006, 09:13 PM

yeah, decided to go overkill and use 2"x.25" PVC. still need to run to the 'depot for some pipe insulation -- don't want to hurt my head!

Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 18 2006, 09:17 PM

OMG! rofl....

i bet trekkor was getting tired of JUST Me making fun of PVC.... rock on!

Posted by: nebreitling Apr 18 2006, 09:21 PM

sorry trek -- we love you, man!

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 11:04 PM

Inconceivable!


KT

Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 18 2006, 11:08 PM

"my name is inigo montoya...."

that movie sucked

Posted by: trekkor Apr 18 2006, 11:25 PM

I will tell you this, if I add tube steel to whatever I come up with, I will do a mock up in ABS drain pipe before I cut the steel!


KT

Posted by: trekkor Apr 19 2006, 04:50 PM

Any more ideas?

I was talking to someone today who said this about crashes and safety.
There are all kinds of crashes. Some the cage will help you, some the cage will hurt you. Others can't be survived.

We were talking about the knee bar in particular. If that bar moves forward, I've got more to worry about than just my knees.


KT