Rollbars...

[Storz]

Just wondering if any of you guys are running a rollbar? Seeing as how a rollover is possible in rallyx I am thinking of adding a bolt in bar. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

[I Like It Sideways]

Just wondering if any of you guys are running a rollbar? Seeing as how a rollover is possible in rallyx I am thinking of adding a bolt in bar. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

I was considering a rollbar as well. I had thought to buy a weld-in roll bar that could later be expanded on to fabricate a roll cage. Thus far I haven't found anyone who has gone the same route.

Were you thinking just a 4 point, with nothing forward of the driver/passenger seats?

[Yeah4me2]

one thing to take into consideration is classification of the car with a cage. I am pretty sure if you add anything to stiffen the structural rigidty of the vechile I.e cage you are throw into the r4 class. which at that point you should gut the car and buy gravel tires.

autopower makes a pretty good bolt in that you can pick up from a vendor on nasioc i cannot recall there name...sorry.
I also believe you could get it for less than 500 iirc

If you haven't already I would highly reccomend gravel tyres, at the begining of the season hardly anyone had them and I seemed to be fairly close to most times; then there was a group buy on falken gravels and everyone had them.
I then was waaaaaay off pace.

sucks I can't score some in 17's

[I Like It Sideways]

one thing to take into consideration is classification of the car with a cage. I am pretty sure if you add anything to stiffen the structural rigidty of the vechile I.e cage you are throw into the r4 class. which at that point you should gut the car and buy gravel tires.

autopower makes a pretty good bolt in that you can pick up from a vendor on nasioc i cannot recall there name...sorry.
I also believe you could get it for less than 500 iirc

If you haven't already I would highly reccomend gravel tyres, at the begining of the season hardly anyone had them and I seemed to be fairly close to most times; then there was a group buy on falken gravels and everyone had them.
I then was waaaaaay off pace.

sucks I can't score some in 17's

I'm already in M4, so being placed in a higher class isn't an issue.
I've seen the roll bars you're talking about, or so I think I have. And thats who I was going to buy from.

I'll be scouting for gravel tires once I invest in a set of 15" steelies or Team Dynamics wheels :D

[wacerx]

i believe the only downside of bolt-ins is with the posibility of the feet pushing through the floor mounting points in a roll over. the bolt together points are also a point of weakness. welding is the safer more reliable way but it makes the back seats permanently useless. either way it will for sure make the car more rigid.

[Storz]

Gravel tires are definitely on the short list. I am installing a LSD in a couple weeks so once that is installed and I get some more $$ saved up I am going to be looking for wheels and tires. This was posted on the GRM message board and I really like the rollbar, its a custom job however it looks a lot like the autopower street sport cage.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/ProDarwin/Subaru/Subie4.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/ProDarwin/Subaru/Subie5.jpg
http://www.ioportracing.com/images/product/rb-race.jpg

[I Like It Sideways]

I do like that one a lot.
I removed my rear seats...so seating isn't an issue at this point :D its finding a place that will weld one in for me... and also coming up with the funds for one.

Storz-are you considering ordering that one from autopower?

[Storz]

I do like that one a lot.
I removed my rear seats...so seating isn't an issue at this point :D its finding a place that will weld one in for me... and also coming up with the funds for one.

Storz-are you considering ordering that one from autopower?

Not right away, most likely this fall. I will have one in there eventually.

[409industries]

The STi probably isnt going to get a rollcage since ill be doing only rallyx in it, but RS (if i ever get it will be fully caged). A buddy of mine builds truggies for SCORE and he said he would do it for me for the cost of material. FIA / Rally America has some pretty specific guidelines, like you can use DOM tubing, etc so just metal alone is going to cost about $800.

Rally America has an awesome gallery of the complete tear down / seamweld / cage construction of one of their cars. Its awesome.

damn, cant find the link right now...

[Methodless]

It looks like the thread starter isn't too far from here, and these guys are awesome

http://www.izzyscustomcages.com/cages.html

especially check out their "will work for cages" thats a great deal.

[albascoob]

I cant wait to get a cage in the WRX....suffice to say it wont be a bolt-in though! he he he

[albascoob]

one thing to take into consideration is classification of the car with a cage. I am pretty sure if you add anything to stiffen the structural rigidty of the vechile I.e cage you are throw into the r4 class. which at that point you should gut the car and buy gravel tires.

autopower makes a pretty good bolt in that you can pick up from a vendor on nasioc i cannot recall there name...sorry.
I also believe you could get it for less than 500 iirc

If you haven't already I would highly reccomend gravel tyres, at the begining of the season hardly anyone had them and I seemed to be fairly close to most times; then there was a group buy on falken gravels and everyone had them.
I then was waaaaaay off pace.

sucks I can't score some in 17's

Corey, the problem was, you had too much damn power! You'd just tap the throttle and your car would sit spinning!

[Pedro]

I honestly don't see why you guys want a roll bar in the first place.

it would make a great harness bar. but other than that It will take out the usefulness of the rear seat (too dangerous for passengers) and in daily driving it will drastically increase the risk of serious head trauma in any accident.

I would like to read your reasoning for a roll bar. plus it just adds weight ;)

[Orion]

Corey - reread the rules. rollbars are actually recommended even in Stock classes!

[409industries]

Rollbars are very effective at tightening the chassis up for less body roll in addition to being a crucial safety device in the event of a rollover.

I am definitely planning on getting one, even though my plans are to run in some rallycross events locally, then PGT stage rally.

[I Like It Sideways]

I honestly don't see why you guys want a roll bar in the first place.

it would make a great harness bar. but other than that It will take out the usefulness of the rear seat (too dangerous for passengers) and in daily driving it will drastically increase the risk of serious head trauma in any accident.

I would like to read your reasoning for a roll bar. plus it just adds weight ;)

Hehe...what back seats? :D

I want to have a roll bar fabbed and welded in, that can later be expanded on to become a full 8-10 point roll cage...(whatever FIA spec minimum is)
Maybe I'm dreaming to much... but it seems like a practical idea. The weight will have to be added sooner or later for stage rally... (at which point it won't be a daily driver anyhow).

I haven't had much worry of a rollover in rallyx yet, although I've seen one or two vehicles go up on two wheels. I'm looking more in the perspective of stiffening the chassis... and putting my car one step closer to being ready for stage rally.
Although on another note, I have read one case that a roll bar helped protect the driver in an accident. It's the only case I've ever heard of like that... But it was interesting to learn.

[Pedro]

Rollbars are very effective at tightening the chassis up for less body roll in addition to being a crucial safety device in the event of a rollover.

I am definitely planning on getting one, even though my plans are to run in some rallycross events locally, then PGT stage rally.

See here is where I dissagree. Types of roll overs you would see in a non stage rally or track incident, IE street or RallyX autoX. The roll bar will do one of two things:

1: Nothing
2: cause greater bodily injury to driver/passenger

Your PGT idea is great. but save your pennies till you hit that level. The factory safety cage that is part of the structure of the subaru's is more than adequate for rallyX and AutoX incidents.

Chassis stiffening is all well and good, but the added weight of the cage will more than offset any advantage the chassis stiffening will gain you.

[Methodless]

Rollbars are very effective at tightening the chassis up for less body roll in addition to being a crucial safety device in the event of a rollover.

I am definitely planning on getting one, even though my plans are to run in some rallycross events locally, then PGT stage rally.

See here is where I dissagree. Types of roll overs you would see in a non stage rally or track incident, IE street or RallyX autoX. The roll bar will do one of two things:

1: Nothing
2: cause greater bodily injury to driver/passenger

Your PGT idea is great. but save your pennies till you hit that level. The factory safety cage that is part of the structure of the subaru's is more than adequate for rallyX and AutoX incidents.

Chassis stiffening is all well and good, but the added weight of the cage will more than offset any advantage the chassis stiffening will gain you.

I agree and disagree, I drive a GC. which is, in my opinion, the only chasis that would need stiffening for rallyX. I am just starting a ej33 swap, so i'd have to run m4 anyway. So gutted, swapped, roll cage welded in, then welded too the existing factory enclosure = very very stiff. PS: my RS is a salvage rebuild with a welded in A pillar, so the cage is also for "just in case"

If your running an 02 or later in a stock or close to event, then i don't see any point. Roll cages don't do a lot enless you complete a full cage.

[Pedro]

Rollbars are very effective at tightening the chassis up for less body roll in addition to being a crucial safety device in the event of a rollover.

I am definitely planning on getting one, even though my plans are to run in some rallycross events locally, then PGT stage rally.

See here is where I dissagree. Types of roll overs you would see in a non stage rally or track incident, IE street or RallyX autoX. The roll bar will do one of two things:

1: Nothing
2: cause greater bodily injury to driver/passenger

Your PGT idea is great. but save your pennies till you hit that level. The factory safety cage that is part of the structure of the subaru's is more than adequate for rallyX and AutoX incidents.

Chassis stiffening is all well and good, but the added weight of the cage will more than offset any advantage the chassis stiffening will gain you.

I agree and disagree, I drive a GC. which is, in my opinion, the only chasis that would need stiffening for rallyX. I am just starting a ej33 swap, so i'd have to run m4 anyway. So gutted, swapped, roll cage welded in, then welded too the existing factory enclosure = very very stiff. PS: my RS is a salvage rebuild with a welded in A pillar, so the cage is also for "just in case"

If your running an 02 or later in a stock or close to event, then i don't see any point. Roll cages don't do a lot enless you complete a full cage.


I am not arguing the stiffness added to the chassis. it is all great, but it is completely unsafe to drive without a helmet. So you are sacraficing the rear seat first off, and any daily drivability of the car.

IBbuttherollbarpaddingwillsaveme!!1!

[Methodless]

My cage comes no where near my head, unless my head somehow manages to break through the seat. also, harnesses make for little body movement....

[Pedro]

My cage comes no where near my head, unless my head somehow manages to break through the seat. also, harnesses make for little body movement....

Pix??

[Storz]

My cage comes no where near my head, unless my head somehow manages to break through the seat. also, harnesses make for little body movement....

Pix??

+1

[409industries]

I agree, even with 4 point harnesses, the likelyhood of flying up into the cage seems really slim. Without the help of a HANS device you will probably snap your neck using the harnesses before moving far enough up to hit the cage. (make sure those seats are bolted in tight!

[Pedro]

I agree, even with 4 point harnesses, the likelyhood of flying up into the cage seems really slim. Without the help of a HANS device you will probably snap your neck using the harnesses before moving far enough up to hit the cage. (make sure those seats are bolted in tight!


don't forget about your b pillar and the window bar. It is quite easy to hit those things. And I am not worried about a Hans'ed and helmeted driver.

I am talking people that use fully caged cars as daily drivers. Untill you see the aftermath of a 20mph fender bender with a caged car, and a driver with a Bpillar shaped detent in their head, you can continue to think that a caged DD is a good idea.

Cages for Track/Rally/Dedicated RallyX/AutoX car I am all for. But Unless you wear a helmet in your caged DD you are putting yourself and your passenger(s) at risk.

and don't even get me started with harness bars. ;)

[409industries]

I agree with you fully Pedro. Caged cars are not for daily driving, they should only be used with full safety gear (harnesses and helmets).