1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

I need a street roll bar recommendation

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Old 01-24-05, 10:09 PM
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I need a street roll bar recommendation

I'm soon turning my RX-7 over to my son who is in high school. He's not a spoiled reckless type but I would still like to install some peace of mind since he's still young enough to make mistakes. I've heard too many stories that start with "My xxxxx got killed in one of those things."

Bolt in or weld isn't an issue. I want streetable safety at a reasonable price. No helmet necessary type with access to the bins if possible.

Those who have seen many and know much would you please offer a suggestion.

Thanks,
Vernon
Old 01-24-05, 10:16 PM
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Check out www.cpracing.ca
Old 01-24-05, 10:39 PM
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Autometer has a wide selection of rollbars and cages - I've seen them at www.mariahmotorsports.com, autometer's website will have more info.
Old 01-24-05, 10:56 PM
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a roll bar without the proper restraint system or helmet will do MORE DAMAGE than good.
Old 01-24-05, 11:18 PM
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^
Its true. Thats a shitload of solid metal sticking out, and if you pad it enough to make a difference on impact there won't be room for people.

I've seen some pretty gnarly pics of roll bars and cages with a stock belt system.

And you have to work pretty hard to roll an RX7, most people I've seen die in these tangled with the front end of an oncoming pickup, or slid off a cliff, or spun into a power pole. Things that a roll bar won't help with.
Old 01-24-05, 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Zyrano
Autometer has a wide selection of rollbars and cages - I've seen them at www.mariahmotorsports.com, autometer's website will have more info.
You're thinking of AutoPower. Autometer makes gauges
Old 01-24-05, 11:50 PM
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lol, you are right, that's what I mean, autopower...
Old 01-25-05, 12:00 AM
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Heres my autopower.Easy install,not very obtrusive.Their factory paint sucks,I had mine powdercoated to match the interior gray.Cost nearly as much as the damn rollbar!

Old 01-25-05, 12:55 AM
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Originally Posted by steve84GS TII
Heres my autopower.Easy install,not very obtrusive.Their factory paint sucks,I had mine powdercoated to match the interior gray.Cost nearly as much as the damn rollbar!


looks good the same color, stealthlike, not ricey!
Old 01-25-05, 04:17 AM
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I've got a CP in mine.. It was $225.00 Shipped. Does a great job, just don't like the fact that the seat doesn't go back farther cause i'm 6'5" tall. But works and looks great.
Old 01-25-05, 06:15 AM
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Got the Autopower in mine. great fit.

Old 01-25-05, 12:29 PM
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i have an autopower setup. I dont like it. If you live in cali ill sell it to ya cheep and deliver it...
Old 01-25-05, 03:51 PM
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Old 01-25-05, 04:03 PM
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sorry to change the subject but MAX7 what kind of headlights are those on your 7? sorry im new to the mazda scene. lol, lemme know.
Old 01-25-05, 04:23 PM
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cpracing I believe
Old 01-25-05, 04:40 PM
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I'm pretty sure I've read that Mazda designed the b-pillar as a roll bar in these cars.
Old 01-25-05, 06:09 PM
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so you had to reverse the way the bins opened in order to install the rollbar? interesting. . . But i don't know if its really worth it unless your son is going to be doing alot of high speed cornering/racing I doubt hes gonna flip it... RX7's are low cars, making them pretty dangerous no matter what when driving around with trucks 3 times the size, hieght, and wieght. Only things that you can do is drive carefully or drive a different vehicle...
Old 01-25-05, 06:13 PM
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Dont forget kirk racing they make them and it is an awsome fit. They have an ad in grassroots motorsports
Old 01-25-05, 06:31 PM
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I have just what you are looking for: Autopower SCCA roll bar built for my 81 widebody. Installed an Autopower in my 240z w/ V8 no problem. I never installed my 7 bar & will sell it to you. Has the bolt-on cross bar (fire extenguisher bar). This bar is rated for professional road racing. What else do you need to know?
Old 01-25-05, 08:46 PM
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Autopower or Kirk. Im not impressed with CP's design. A rollbar wont hurt you in an accident, its a full cage that will mangle your arms and head so dont do that on a street car unless your into getting funny looks for wearing a 6 pt harness and a helmet on public roads. The bar is well behind you. Yapakanichi , yours isint a CP bar. Its of the same design as the Kirk or Autopower. Well the saftey isint if you roll it ( correct they are harder to roll then an SUV) but what if you get run off the road into a ditch or ravine? You WILL roll the car in that case right? Its not always about you, sometimes its about the other guy doing something that causes something bad to happen.
Old 01-25-05, 09:25 PM
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Quote.....so you had to reverse the way the bins opened in order to install the rollbar? interesting. . .

No,my storage box lids are broken like every other 1st gen.My paint guy put the pass. side lid on upside down after jumpstarting my car from sitting for a month.I didnt notice it for another month, until I took that picture yesterday!
Old 01-25-05, 09:27 PM
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Thanks for all the info guys. I agree with Carl, it's not just in case he flips it, in fact that's the least of my worries. It's the added crush resistance from the sides that's my main concern. Peolple get rear ended by fools doing 50-70 every day, with the bar a car will get pushed at some point instead of just crushing into a ball. A place to mount some good belts is nice. I'm not planning on running any steel in the front because he won't be wearing a helmet going to school but just a bar in the back usually won't hurt you. If it does you were probably dead anyways. A good roll bar could hold a truck up until you get pulled out, the factory roof will not. This is my thinking anyways. That and it's likely there will be two of my children in the car at times, along with friends. Why would I not?

Snapshot, sounds good I'll PM you.

Vernon
Old 01-29-05, 10:27 AM
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Snapshot, I see you're online. Don't forget about me.

Thanks,
Vernon
Old 01-29-05, 01:45 PM
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Here's a pic of my bar. It's a custom set-up, based on some of the AUTOPOWER pieces.



-Bern
Old 01-29-05, 03:08 PM
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^^^I want to see more of this car, please^^^


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