custom roll cage in a 1st gen
 

Hi, For a project and a second car i am considering buying a gsl-se. The first thing I want to do is make the car safe. The first gen is a very small car and a driver's side impact could do a number on the driver. So I was thinking of making a custom roll cage.

I wanted to have 2 bars run along each door, a bar connecting them through the dash, and a roll bar behind the seat, with supports going back into the hatch.

My first question is, what are your opinions on this?

Second, any advice/links on how to make a custom roll cage, including pipe diameter and gauge.

Also, i was planning on NOT using 5pt harnesses, but jsut the standard seat belts and use some turbo 2 seats i have around the house.

use 5-points. the point IMO if going with a cage when you don't really need one is so you can safely USE a 5-point which holds you securely in your seat and therefore improves your driving.

Can I ask what your plans are for the GSLSE? I have a GSLSE that I drive on the street and autoxed a couple of times but then discovered the joys of road racing. Unfortunately if you want to race wheel to wheel, the GSLSE is frowned upon. It is classed with the second gen rx7 and cannot race with the 12a first gens. So it is kinda stuck in the middle. That is why I got a 87 base model and trying to get it going. My reasoning was why buy the coil overs and the roll cage and all that good stuff on one car and then have to do it again on another if I wanted to go further than just open track days. If it is just for fun, I say go ahead, just think about long term goals. If you want to autox, I had a hard time keeping up with those CRXs in CSP. (probably needed more car development and driver skill!)

what you're asking about is called NASCAR style bars. They're for driver safety, and a good idea if you get a rollcage put in.

BUT a rollcage doesn't do a WHOLE heck of a lot for driver safety in a collision, it's mostly for just what its name implies. A cage to keep you within in case the car rolls.

I'm sure there's ways to build it though if you want to be safer in a collision.

Do NOT do it yourself though, have someone who knows what they're doing do it.

i want to use a gsl-se, because i want a 1st gen not a 2nd gen...also im considering getting a built bridgeported 13b once im out of school

edit, not to mention gsl-se already has better brakes and bet wheel pattern...

Consider a 5 point with the cage. If you get in a wreck and get thrown around, the bars can do a ton of damage to your head:eek: I used 1-1/2" tube and the NASCAR style door bars. Check the cage rules in all of the sanctioning bodies you may run in...they are all a little diff.

Here is my cage:

http://members.cardomain.com/7heaven

installed for about $1800.00 here in Dallas.