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How to make my 1st gen safer

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Old 10-07-10, 10:45 PM
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How to make my 1st gen safer

i was thinking the best thing would be a roll cage. But i dont know who make them???

The other would be racing seats. but also, i don't know where to find them???

i need some suggetions.... really.
Old 10-07-10, 10:48 PM
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Drive slow
Old 10-08-10, 12:05 AM
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Autopower has one
http://www.lpiracing.com/Autopower-B...1-52p23505.htm

Website with roll bars and cages:
http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant...ory_Code=AP591
Old 10-08-10, 06:15 AM
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going to track this car?
Old 10-08-10, 09:36 AM
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Coat it in a 2ft layer of EPS foam?


"Safer" than what, and for what purpose?
Old 10-08-10, 10:14 AM
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Roll Bar? Don't (unless you're planning on wearing a helmet....all the time).

I seem to remember another member using this analogy some time ago... "take your head and slam it against a roll bar as hard as you can....that's like, maybe, 15mph?! Now imagine the impact force at double...just 30mph"...hopefully, you'll get the picture.

You want to make your car safer? Adjust the the nut behind the wheel!

Then get all of your mechanicals up to snuff..brakes, electricals, belts/hoses....all the **** that cost money but doesn't make you go faster.

Lastly, put your cellphone away (better yet turn it off) and pay attention to what the other jackasses are doing.

No guarantee's, but you'll be lightyears ahead of 98% the drivers on the road.
Old 10-08-10, 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by patmac6075
Roll Bar? Don't (unless you're planning on wearing a helmet....all the time).

I seem to remember another member using this analogy some time ago... "take your head and slam it against a roll bar as hard as you can....that's like, maybe, 15mph?! Now imagine the impact force at double...just 30mph"...hopefully, you'll get the picture.

You want to make your car safer? Adjust the the nut behind the wheel!

Then get all of your mechanicals up to snuff..brakes, electricals, belts/hoses....all the **** that cost money but doesn't make you go faster.

Lastly, put your cellphone away (better yet turn it off) and pay attention to what the other jackasses are doing.

No guarantee's, but you'll be lightyears ahead of 98% the drivers on the road.
best advice ever!
Old 10-08-10, 10:30 AM
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Have you thought about bubble wrapping the car?

Other than that the best advice has already been given.
Old 10-08-10, 11:18 AM
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Yeah. I get what ur sayin. Thanx for the advise.
Old 10-08-10, 11:33 AM
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buy a ford explorer.
Old 10-08-10, 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by jshiz
buy a ford EXPLODER.
Fixed that for ya

As far as racing seats if you'd like one check out Soloracer.com they have some good prices on Corbeau seats as well as Sparco and Recaro.

+1 For not having a rollbar/cage on a street car, it just isn't worth possibly cracking your head open like an egg.

Here's a great example of why you shouldn't buy a bolt-in rollcage/bar.

Old 10-08-10, 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by currdog
Yeah. I get what ur sayin. Thanx for the advise.
Mazda is bad about bragging, but these cars are actually very good. the govt crash ratings only go back to 86-87 or so but the FC is a 4 star rated car in a front and side impact, which is actually BETTER than the volvo and mercedes, which are only 3. the BMW e30 is like 3 front and 1 on the side....

if you look at it, the crumple zone (and it is) is HUGE. BIG door beams, etc etc.

best thing to do on the street would be to make sure the car is mechanically excellent.

as a safety note the autopower cage bolts to the big (6") drain plugs in the floor, so if you roll it the cage just pops thru the floor....
Old 10-08-10, 02:45 PM
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You could install a 4 point roll bar, just make sure that it's far enough away that in the case of an accident you can't hit your head on it. Make sure it's welded in.

Depending on how much time and effort you want to put into this, you oculd find a parts car and double up the structural areas of your car by cutting those parts out and rewelding them over those areas in your car. Opera Performance in Japan does this instead of adding a cage. I rather like the idea because you can still cover it with the interior but it also stiffens/strengthens the chassis. However proper maintenance, good brakes and great tires will keep you rubber side down and allow you to avoid most situations where safety would become an issue anyway. New seatbelts might be a good idea, since 25+ year old fabric belts are likely to be degraded a bit. This is why FIA harnesses are only good for 2 years, or one crash.
Old 10-08-10, 03:04 PM
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safer for a crash...

Make sure your steering column hasn't been modded or half-assed and will still collapse like it should...Don't add back seats and if you do, never let anyone ride in them.
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