Removable Rollbar

rdorman · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 11:17 AM

I am looking on some input on a removable roll bar that I want to construct for my car. I will probably take the car back to full street dress and do not want a permenantly mounted bar.

Please give some feedback on this for my car: Two bars welded to the chassis coming up parrellel to each other and the rear bulkhead in the cockpit and stopping just below the top of the body work. One bar on each side running from the top of the two bars in the cockpit rearward through the bulkhead and down to the frame in the rear. A single bar running between the two rearward bars, horizontal, just behind the rear bulkhead for shoulder harness mounting. Carpet right over the part in the cockpit.

Now the removable part. A single hoop with a diagonal cross brace running from the drivers side upper to the passenger side lower (make a nice 'headrest' mount as well for whiplash, head restraint, rollbar padding etc.). Inside the legs of this hoop is pipe that fits snugly, runs as far down in the car mounted legs and up the single hoop as possible. These would slide down into the two tubes permanently mounted in the cockpit. The tubes inside the hoop would be welded to the hoop, bolted to the cockpit legs. A bolted in, forward running brace from the main hoop to a welded in mount in front of the passenger side foot box. All joints double gusseted.

Can you picture it? A five point cage except the rearward running bars are set lower than they should be for packaging sake. With the hoop and forward brace unbolted and removed, you would have to look to tell that it will take a rollbar. Bolted in place, does it sound tough enough to serve the purpose?

Thanks
Rick

Clois Harlan · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 11:33 AM

Rick,

One of the guys from Michigan had a real nice set up similar to what you have in mind at last years Run and Gun. I think his name was Dave K......? Wayne Turpin help me out here if you see this. Had the beautiful black Cobra parked across from you last year.

Clois

rdorman · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 11:36 AM

So no holes in the body? Perfect. Not Dave Kirkham was it? Where are you Wayne!
Rick

Thompson · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 08:49 AM

rdorman,

I am very interested in your idea. If you get a picture or any plans for a removable roll bar that would be NHRA approved, will you please forward to me?
We could sure use it in Denver. Our local Drag Strip will not let us run with out a full cage.

Dick Thompson

rdorman · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 08:53 AM

If I recall correctly, the cage may not be NHRA legal. The only issue I can think of is that it seems to me in order to be NHRA approved the rearward facing supports are supposed to be with in six inches of the hoop top. My rearward facing supports will be under the body so as not to be visable. I am putting them in there just to add strength to the upright tubes in the cockpit.

I am sure some one here will know for sure.

Rick

rdorman · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 09:05 AM

I looked and for the roll bar to be NHRA legal the rear braces have to be within 5" of the top of the hoop. Plus there is a brace required to run from the main hoop to the frame/floor to the left of the driver.
Rick

Thompson · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 09:20 AM

Rick,

I am still interested in seeing some pictures or plans. I think I can get one made here locally, that would be legal.

Dick

HighPlainsDrifter · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 11:07 AM

Hi,

The main hoop of the rollbar ,back brace and rear downtubes have to be Mig welded to the frame, not bolted. The driver's side bar can be bolted in but has to be placed just below the shoulder. The main bar also has to be 3" above driver's head.
SFI stuff;
5 point harness dated within 2 years,
arm restaints
snell 95 full face helmet
fire jacket
gloves
neck brace[optional]

other stuff;
battery cut off switch at rear
dual carb return springs
no more than 1' of rubber gas line, braided or steel line only.
driveshaft loop
scattershield for cars under 12 flat
SFI harmonic balancer for cars under 11 flat
SFI flexplate for cars under 11 flat[automatics]
no plastic oil gauge line
1 quart overflow rad catchcan
no antifreeze,water only
Neutral safety switch[can't start car in gear]

That should get you through NHRA Tech.

After you've seen guys hit the wall and rollover you'll be glad your car has this stuff.

Perry.

rdorman · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 11:23 AM

Personally I am not interested in it being NHRA legal. It just came up because Dick mentioned it. As a side note, the NHRA site says that under certain cercumstances the bar can be bolted in.

Any thoughts on whether or not my idea will hold up in a roll over?

Thanks
Rick

HighPlainsDrifter · #10 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 12:49 PM

That depends on how hard you hit the wall,
Check out this summers crashes at Mission raceways.

The Mopar hit the right wall at 130 mph ,all wheels off the ground for 100 yards,rode the cement barrier,then came across the track and hit the left wall head on after barrel rolling and landing back on all fours.

flipper35 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 12:57 PM

Camburg Engineering has some nice fittings for the desert racers. Built specifically for pieces that neet to be removable. NOt sure about NASA or SCCA or NHRA, but for personal protection on the street I would check them out.

rdorman · #12 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 01:31 PM

Flipper/Brent, I will have to check that out.

I don't expect any roll bar or cage can protect a person in all cercumstances. What I don't want to do is to build one that could make the situation worse. If the thing folds over on me the momement it hits the ground then that would be a problem!!

Let me ask this, does every one think that the design I have suggested will provide at least as much protection at the typical S/C bar? If so, then I am where I want to be!

Thanks
Rick