Do I *need* a rollbar?

[lippy]

So I just received my ERA chassis # - it is 797. Of course I am reviewing my final options and choices (Either Ferrari Blu Pozzi or BMW Jerez Black (which is blue), no stripe, black interior). I'm still going back and forth on the undercar exhaust vs. sidepipes.

If I build a car with the undercar exhaust, it sort of comes down to two ways:
(1) Exhaust exiting ahead of wheels, rollbar, and quickjacks. Sort of a hybrid street/SC
(2) I may even consider building a street version with the exhaust exiting at the rear. I guess if I do this, the scoop and quickjacks may not even look right. I don't plan on tracking the car. Would it be crazy to build without a roll bar? I think the chance of rolling the car is low, and I'm not sure the roll bar would do any good anyway. Has anyone done this?

As always, any opinions are appreciated.

[sspano01]

they say the metal roll bar is more dangerous on the street. they say that if you get tapped at red light, you can crack your head backwards into the bar.

but....if you every plan to do any HPDE/track days with your car, I would have slots put in it for both a passenger and drivers roll bar. you wouldnt be able to go out with an instructor without at least two roll bars.

and you should totally do a track day

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by sspano01

they say the metal roll bar is more dangerous on the street. they say that if you get tapped at red light, you can crack your head backwards into the bar.

Yep... clearly. Lippy, if you're not going to pad your roll bar then, from a risk stand point, you're better off leaving it off. Nothing ruins your day like blunt force trauma to the noggin.... And Cobra street flips are relatively rare.

[LMH]

You only need it if you roll over.
Larry

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by lippy

Would it be crazy to build without a roll bar?

No.

...

[Thor maine]

How often have seen an accident and one the cars is rolled over? For me the answer is often. ( But this is the snow belt) A roll bar is a good idea but it can have it's negatives. But when you have Hot Rod shaped like a Cobra those are along for the ride. No air bags, no crumple zones, no side impact safe zone. If you don't understand that get the F out of the car!

[STL Mark]

If you are going to build a street replica then go with no hood scoop, no roll bar, no side pipes, full bumpers front and rear, and add soft top. I think the street cars look cool. Just my .02 and worth even less.

[427 sam]

Hi I fitted roll bars for track, but i also fitted head restraints to avoid head banging on the street.Sam( ps this is req by uk law)

[lippy]

I was just checking out the Kirkham galleries, and I'm sort of diggin the street car. Dark color with no roll bar, undercar exhaust exiting ahead of the wheels, FIA wheels, and maybe the small chrome bumpers without the rings, front or rear. Or quick jacks. I could do it either with a scoop or without.

[mdross1]

After getting my bar installed and the seat bolted to the floor realized my head was very near the top of the bar.Then thought about the winshield copper surround not much protection there.Oh well, it sure looks cool!
Exhaust knew when building the car was going undercar.After owning a BB Vette with side exhaust and riding in several Cobras was all I needed to know.Had to make slight modification to the frame to keep exhaust tucked neatly up inside.
Never forget beauty is in the eye of the beholder these cars are kits and the sky is the limit when it comes to personalizing them.

[Jaydee]

Is it possible to workout the area of a rectangle compared to a 2inch exhaust, and flatten out the exhaust pipe where it goes under the chassis?
JD

[vatdevil]

Originally Posted by sspano01

they say the metal roll bar is more dangerous on the street. they say that if you get tapped at red light, you can crack your head backwards into the bar.

but....if you every plan to do any HPDE/track days with your car, I would have slots put in it for both a passenger and drivers roll bar. you wouldnt be able to go out with an instructor without at least two roll bars.

and you should totally do a track day

And without the roll bar your head snaps all the way back and hits the body. These cars are as safe as a bike. I would agree, at least cut the openings, so you can later add if you want.

[Dwight]

No roll bar. And I have one, wished I did not.

Dwight

[DanEC]

Lippy - I'm building an ERA street roadster - trying to stay fairly authentic or at least with period appearance. Some of the street cars - with day one or two mods - starting sporting some SC items like roll bars, SC wheels and hood scoops. Some were converted over to mostly SC appearance. So, a little mixing up of hood scoops, roll bars or exhaust systems is not too unusual. I would build it like you want it.

Undercar exhaust out the rear is do-able, although I just couldn't go with ERA's 2 inch system. Using their headers I've created a full 2-1/2 inch system out the rear - but it does require some compromises. I had to go with a 255/60-15 tire with 9-1/2 inch wheels on the rear and I stuck with the Jag rear suspension. Even then it's kind of tight. Another option was to have ERA widen the rear track slightly and run 7-1/2 wheels all the way around for some tailpipe clearance. They have done this on a few cars, including Peter's street roadster. This would actually look more stock especially now that they have reproduction Starburst wheels out again.

These are some more options and ideas to confuse you all the more.

Dan

[D-CEL]

Cobra Crash Willow Springs, Short version 130 mph - YouTube

Your call....

[Trueoo7]

Option 1 "no roll bar" cost $0.00
Option 2 " roll bar with padding" cost $400 to $500.00
On the off chance you may need it cost "Priceless"

You pick which option your head is worth to you.

[flaflier]

Cobra Crash Willow Springs, Short version 130 mph - YouTube


If you watch the video in slo-mo, it appears that the roll bar never hits the ground...

[dallas_]

So the application in your case is don't go 130 at Willow Springs.

[RodKnock]

Lippy, congrats on your ERA. I'm sure it will be a beauty.

I would build what you want, but if you're looking for opinions, I'm always happy to give mine.

I would either go 100% one way or the other. 100% Street or 100% S/C. I'm personally not a big fan of mixing and matching of hood scoop, roll bar, exhaust setup, etc. I would go one way or the other.

And you don't really need a roll bar, or two, because if you're like me and cruise around town and to and fro, it's superfluous.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I would either go 100% one way or the other. 100% Street or 100% S/C.

Incorrectumundo.... Splitting the difference can be quite rewarding. Lippy, the ERA frame comes set with the driver's side roll bar mounts, I don't know about the passenger side. They remove pretty easily -- all you need are plugs fabbed for the holes, and you could either spring for really nice fabbed pieces or just fashion them yourself. There was a thread on here a year or two ago that had pics of exactly that and they looked excellent.

Here's a pic of the "split of the difference...."