Roll Cage

Philm · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 02:32 AM

The cage is coming along as you can see by the pics below.

The diagonal bar on top is going to be reworked so that it is flat and wil then bend down into the front corner. There will also be another that will run the other way to form an X over the top.

As you can see the cage is as out board as possible and I have 2 door skins that I will hinge as doors, this will alow me to cut out the holes for the posts.
I am reworking the hinges for the normal doors so that I can remove the pin and remove the doors, this will allow me to keep the position when they are removed and reinstalled. That is why I wanted the door striker to remain, I don't want to have to refit the doores every time I put the cage in. This may be ok now but when it is painted it may be a little different.

There is still the taxi bar to go just above the back of the seats and the 2 rear stays.

I am very please with the look of the cage but also the workmanship, I will take some photos of the welds, absolutley perfect.

It should be finished on Tuesday I will post some more pics then.

I will appreciate your comments as if there is something I have missed now is the time to let me know.

Phil

stefanog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 02:42 AM

Phil, That is one impressive cage you have there, as I don't know much about the logistics of how a cage would best be effective, I will give it the thumbs up anyway!

Lame I know!

Stef

Cobra.au · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 04:17 AM

Looks Like you will have to rework your doors a little.

I am watching with great intrest

Beejay · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 05:20 AM

One awesome Cobra Phil.

How about you give that ride a coat of paint so it looks as good as it is put together!!!

Hopefully you can still run your top with the cage, it would be awesome to have that protection without the distraction of those bars.

Ben

Philm · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 05:33 AM

Craig,
I will not use the regular doors when the cage is in, I have door skins that I will use. I will post some pics on tuesday that will demonstrate what I mean.

Beejay,
We almost made that work with the soft top, but there were just to many compromises. You can put the top on and use the cage as the bows but it is not perfect.

The idea is that the cage will be used when racing, it will be install and then we will trailer the car to an event. I will get a cover made for weather protection.

Phil

HighPlainsDrifter · #6 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 08:47 AM

Hi,
Good so far.
You will need a higher driver side bar, the drag racing spec is for the bar to be 1/2 way between shoulder and elbow,but the inspector likes it on the high side.
Perry.

slow 427 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 04:31 PM

Monkey bar heaven, looks awesome Phil lets hope you never need to put it to the test.

Shelby400 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 05:16 PM

Phil

What does the Queen think? Are you going to chrome it?

Brett

OZVENOM · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 08:28 PM

Hi Phil its about time more people took their safety a bit more serious. not just for drag racing but circuit racing too.
i recon it may make the car heavier but you will go faster confidance is a lot when go flat thru the kink a wakefield.
Yeha..

oz.

Plums · #10 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 11:59 PM

This looks encouraging for me... I like the idea of only putting one extra hole in the body for the second backstay, (I assume the other backstay will go through the existing 3rd leg hole). I'll have to check out how the four points inside the cockpit will go but as Big Kev always said, "I'm excited"...

I'm very keen to see the finished result, it's looking good Phil.

spookypt · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 08:42 PM

Hey Phil...a question? Does the bar running down beside your noggin worry you? The pro's know what's the go but I thought I'd ask what they thought about it?

SpookyPT

Philm · #12 (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 09:23 PM

HI Matt,
I understand what you are saying, I am going to pick it this afternoon and I will post lots of pics, some with me in the car.

The angle of the pics may be a bit misleading, the top secton of the main hoop is behind my head.

Yes now I am concerned!!!

Phil

spookypt · #13 (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 09:34 PM

Phil, mate I am only highlighting this as a question as I don't want to see anyone getting hurt and I hate anything being close to my head... I notice on the Cobra Race Cars in the USA that the upright is actially flared out quite a distance... My question may be unfounded as the pics may not show the angles of dangles properly but certainly once you sit in it with a helmet on and strapped in you'll get a good idea how close it is to your noggin!

Keep us posted!

SpoookyPT

Philm · #14 (**permalink**) 03-15-2007, 09:07 PM

The cage is now complete, ready for the next step of a "pre tech" inspection. This is to verify the materials used are correct and that all welding looks ok.

Huge problem

I drive with the seat back and I am in a more reclined postion, and I did all the fitting at the shop to make sure I fit. Karen drives closer to the wheel and in a much more upright position, see doesn't fit!!!!! Her head is to close to the top bar.

This could be a good thing, but after last nights discussion I need to get it sorted. I have some pics of how it looks and I hope you can see how I have used the door skin. I still have lots of work to do like hinging the doors etc.

I have taken it out as we have a club race day at oran park on the weekend and there is no way I could have it ready for that.

The suprising thing is the weight, about 25kgs.

I will post some more pics next week, with me in it , the doors hung and the race seat installed.

Phi

Plums · #15 (**permalink**) 03-19-2007, 06:59 AM

Looks good Phil, some of the 25kg's will be offset by the lightweight doors too... I like it!!!

acecob · #16 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 03:25 AM

Phil baby !
safety comes first always , But ! you've spoilt the car.
Take it off and just go a little slower !!!

Philm · #17 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 07:42 AM

Peter,
The cage is completely removable, the only thing that will give it away is 2 50mm holes on the rear deck.

The cage takes about 30 to 40 mins to install or remove. I would never drive on the street with the cage installed.

I will still look pretty out on a cruise.

Phil

Rebel1 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelby400

Phil

What does the Queen think? Are you going to chrome it?

Brett

Me thinks the queen will love it.

She'll be able to take it shopping and dry the washing all at the same time.

Looks great Phil

Philm · #19 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 07:36 PM

The cage is alsmost finished I have fixed the doors on and mounted the new race seat.

After many attempts it was easier to just fix the door skins in place using Dzuts fasteners and by cutting away the door sill, I can get in and out without to much trouble.

Should get it tech inspected tomorrow, then I can paint it and get it all looking pretty.

I still have to rework the standard doors a little to make removal and replace ment easier.

We have a rough go and within 40mins we can convert the car from "street" to "race".

Phil

Tenrocca · #20 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 07:48 PM

"LS1 Kills"...

ROFL

Looks awesome phil. You look nasty with your helmet on!!