Roll cage necessary? Options

[freestone]

For a 3.2 conversion, to be used almost primarily on the street do you think I need a roll cage? 95% on the street, easily.

I would use this car maybe 5 days on the track though, as I race vintage, but loading up the race car and bringing it to the track etc is such a production and an expensive engine that I skip some lap days when I would bring more of a street car there?

I really don't like the way they look frankly. And I am 6'2" so worry about clearance. Wonder if a helmet would clear?


Is a supplemental roll bar worth it?


And have people gotten in trouble in 914-6's? They sit so low too I worry about the SUV's hitting me. Does anybody think this makes a difference, as getting hit is not exactly the same as rolling, and I wouldn't do the door bars.

And I really care about safety, but the cosmetics of a cage get me down a bit.

Thanks,

[URY914]

Unless you're going to wear a helmet and use a harness, I won't have a roll cage in a 95% of the time street car. That would mean you are 95% more likey to get in an accident on the street than on the track.

Try hitting your head on those bars when you get rear ended at 10 mph. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

If your worried about an SUV hitting you, you better buy an SUV. Does everyone driving a small car worry about SUVs?

Paul

[serge914]

I have mostly the same concern; driving with a race seat and 5 points seat belts but no bar, I wonder what would happen if I flip the car on a race track. I can't move my body aside and wonder if the targa bar can hold the weight of the car.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[freestone]

Would a roll bar help at all? On a track, you need to have it tall enough that if you draw a line from the roll bar to the fender it clears your helmet by 2". That would probably make it too tall to use the top?

I heard the GT top was reinforced; I assume that is just for rigidity.

Can a subtle but effective roll bar be created?

[Qarl]

What about a street bar as a compromise?

[campbellcj]

Honestly, in a street car I would rather have the door bars and the side-side + front-back bars, than the overhead roll hoop(s). The odds of rolling the car in even aggressive street driving are super slim, unless you go off an embankment or something. You are much more likely to get cut-off or t-boned. Getting hit in the doors is a terrifying thought, since the teener sits so low and has minimal door & roof strength.

[J P Stein]

I put a cage in my car to stiffen the chassis....it mounts at 10 points. One of these days I'll run 4 tubes to the shock towers to strenghten things more throughly.

As it is now, the front and back ends move in concert rather than independently.

I don't drive it much on the street. Being rammed by a Broncosaurus would riuin my day.....helmet or no. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[JmuRiz]

Chris,
I was thinking the same thing. An added benefit of having all the 'under the windows' tubing of that style of cage would give you the same look of openness while streetdriving w/ the top off. Has anyone tried this before? I think it'd be a great idea!

[freestone]

I agree about my fear of getting hit in the sides.

I added door bars in my race car for worry about getting broadsided if I spun.

I suppose a cage without the door bars at least protects you against a side hit that isn't perpendicular, almost.

But door bars are so obtrusive as you have to climb over them, much more so than a cage.

That's the big advantage of modern cars, like the Boxster. And those crumple zones and air bags etc.

I drive a 356 roadster around on the streets, and that is a worry too.

[airsix]

Like JP said. And remember that picture posted last week of the white 914 that was in a front-end colision and folded in half like a taco right about where the heater tubes go through the longitudinals at the rear firewall? Good cage would have stopped that.
-Ben M.

[Steve]

I have an Autopower roll bar in my street 914.
Mine is the updated one thats welded to the side longitudinals instead of the floor pan.
I also have the bolt in cross bar that goes to the floor for mounting a video camera.
Can't wait to try it.
I'm also running the welded in steel plates in the rear.
The steel plates weld onto the side longitudinals.
Is anyone running the full Autopower roll cage?
Do the window winders still work with the doors closed?

It would be nice to have a full cage in case of an accident with an SUV or drunk driver.
It would be better than nothing.

Steve

[Qarl]

Steve.. can you post some pics for us all here?

Thanks!

Karl

[J P Stein]

My cage is an Autopower....with door beams. The beam is extended to a doubler plate mounted on the sides of the footwell where the speakers mount.
Getting in & out is a PITA......and neck, when I have a helmet on.

I deleted the cross bar on the roll bar & the diagonal
from the top of the bar to the floor.

I'd have to take new pics if you want to see details.
Just ak me.

[Qarl]

I hate this frigin emoticon... but here goes...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif)

[J P Stein]

Ok, I need new pics nohow

[J P Stein]

2 of 4.....don't ask bout that lower weld, K?

[J P Stein]

3 of 4

[J P Stein]

4 of 4- Aren't digital cameras wonderful?

[ChrisReale]

JP, is your cage this one?
http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merc...gory_Code=AP080

[seanery]

mine is. got no pics of it though.