2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Roll bar/rollcage legality

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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 09:39 PM
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Roll bar/rollcage legality

I noticed they have some obstruction in rear view--is it legal to drive around with a rollbar?
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 09:49 PM
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Sure it is.

Its called SUV protection.

Really though, it is ok.
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 10:05 PM
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Originally posted by TonyTurboII
Sure it is.

Its called SUV protection.

Really though, it is ok.
Or in my case...

...keep the car off your head when you overheat your tires at the track protection.
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 10:33 PM
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reminds me of initial d when the sil-eightie girls battle the evo
AWD, tires losing grip, ouch.

Just think of yourself as a super drifter mykl
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 10:36 PM
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Originally posted by Node
reminds me of initial d when the sil-eightie girls battle the evo
AWD, tires losing grip, ouch.

Just think of yourself as a super drifter mykl
Somehow I don't think the end result is supposed to be with the car on it's side, but I'm no expert....
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 10:53 PM
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Well, it's nice to know. Guess I'll be putting this in
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 10:56 PM
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Wait, how much do they cost, anyway?
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 11:22 PM
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A full blown rollcage is a very bad idea on the street unless you plan to wear a helmet everywhere you go. Trust me, I don't care how much you pad it, your head will split like a melon if you impact a rollcage tube with any kind of accident force.

Cage costs depend on how complicated a cage you want.. What are you getting it for? drag racing? road (circuit) racing? Rally?

Yes, roll bar/cages will obstruct rear vision.. Badly if you have a lot of bars like mine.

PaulC
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 12:09 AM
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Originally posted by Silkworm
A full blown rollcage is a very bad idea on the street unless you plan to wear a helmet everywhere you go. Trust me, I don't care how much you pad it, your head will split like a melon if you impact a rollcage tube with any kind of accident force.

Cage costs depend on how complicated a cage you want.. What are you getting it for? drag racing? road (circuit) racing? Rally?

Yes, roll bar/cages will obstruct rear vision.. Badly if you have a lot of bars like mine.

PaulC
Have you tried the SFI padding? It's much better than the regular padding.

Rollcages usually cost $500-1,500 USD, without paint and pads.

IMO, it's not the bars that obstruct your vision so much, but more so it's the 5-point harness and racing seat which make it very difficult to move your head around to scan. Racing rearview mirrors help, and so does lots of scanning practice.
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 12:23 AM
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Oh yeah, I've got SFI on mine..

Still, I wouldn't want to take a hit to the head, even with that, unprotected..

PaulC
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 12:44 AM
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Originally posted by Silkworm
Oh yeah, I've got SFI on mine..

Still, I wouldn't want to take a hit to the head, even with that, unprotected..

PaulC
We used that in my karate classes for covering the metal support poles in the training area. You could kick them with no problem. Also, we used something similar to beat each other over the head, and it didn't hurt me at all.
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 12:46 AM
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I have an Autopower 4 point roll cage in my GTUs and I have not had any legality issues. You would not believe the difference it makes in stiffening up your car!!!
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 01:34 AM
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Originally posted by Evil Aviator

Also, we used something similar to beat each other over the head,
that explains a lot of my wonders!!!
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 01:46 AM
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Originally posted by Evil Aviator

We used that in my karate classes for covering the metal support poles in the training area. You could kick them with no problem. Also, we used something similar to beat each other over the head, and it didn't hurt me at all.
Everything is becoming clear now...
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 01:46 AM
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Well, it's your head.. I'd just keep in mind that a 30mph impact with a wall is going to be, IMHO, significantly more force than your leg kicking it..

Really? You didn't hurt yourself kicking it? That **** is pretty damn hard.. Then again, I'm a wuss

PaulC
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 02:19 AM
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Originally posted by Silkworm

Really? You didn't hurt yourself kicking it? That **** is pretty damn hard.. Then again, I'm a wuss

PaulC
ahh, but dainel-son can kick the palm tree
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 03:46 AM
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Just for the record, a 4 or 6 point custom cage/rollbar CAN be very safe for street use, if its built right. Special care has to be taken in how close your head is to the main hoop.

A full overhead cage(ie 10pt or more) is, IMHO, too much to run on the street, and very unsafe without a helmet...
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 03:59 AM
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a 10 pt cage would be a pain in the *** to get in and out of all the time. I would just like some extra insurance incase the vehicle gets rolled.
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 05:34 AM
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Just get something that goes behind the seats.
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 06:20 AM
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if you just want some extra protection
get a main loop behind the seat with two bar going back into the rear hatch

it would bolt of weld to floor behind the seats

a 4 point would be fine or if you want a little more side impact geta 6 point, that is where you have 2 more bars come off the main loop next to the seat going up front.

it makes your car harder to get in and out of.
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 06:24 AM
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here is a good example of a 6 point in the front

This is BDC car




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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 06:31 AM
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Would it be safe to get the side bars lower, or would that just defeat the purpose of having them?
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 07:35 AM
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Originally posted by Silkworm
Well, it's your head.. I'd just keep in mind that a 30mph impact with a wall is going to be, IMHO, significantly more force than your leg kicking it..
True, but like Dyre wrote, it's not much of an issue if the cage is designed properly, and you have a proper restraining system. Both of my street/race RX-7's have roll cages, and I would only expect my legs and arms to contact the bars upon impact. With my racing seats and 5-point harnesses, the only way my head is going to hit a bar is if it pops off, in which case it won't matter much at that point.

Originally posted by Silkworm
Really? You didn't hurt yourself kicking it? That **** is pretty damn hard.. Then again, I'm a wuss
Yeah, that high-density stuff is pretty stiff. You could kick the pole no problem with round kick, but not with a side kick (needs something that gives like a water bag). Nobody ever punched them, either.


Originally posted by Node
Would it be safe to get the side bars lower, or would that just defeat the purpose of having them?
The cage in that picture is more for drag racing where there is very little chance of side impact. Those side bars appear to be more for support of the main hoop rather than impact protection. My roll cages have NASCAR-type side impact protection for SCCA racing. The bars in this picture were designed and installed by a pro, so they are a good reference for height:
http://home.tampabay.rr.com/spinraci...ell/index.html
Yes, it's a little difficult to clear when entering and exiting the vehicle, but it's not all that bad.
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 10:00 AM
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wow!!!!
this cage would be over kill on the street.
http://home.tampabay.rr.com/spinrac...Cell/index.html

I really like the hoop and the back. and the camera mount too. but bar that goes infront of knees I dont think I could take that

but for a track car it would kick much BUTT!!!!
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 10:04 AM
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how much do you think your cage weighs?
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