Roll Bar questions.

[CWPottenger]

I have a few questions that I would like real-world info and experience not just opinion and conjecture.

1st off I am adding a 4 point Roll bar (not a cage setup), just a main hoop and the two rear bars. This is going in to my T-top Regal. I am doing it primarily for peace of mind safety because I have rolled a car before and know what occurs first hand.

2nd I am not worried about NHRA rules, but will be conforming on size and location just because I do plan weekend runs, but if I ever got to the speed at which it becomes mandatory I would stop, because I have no interest in a cage.

3rd my actual question is to do with ERW vs DOM tubing... I know the physical difference and that DOM is better, stronger, etc and why. What I want to know is since this is just for added safety in the unlikely event of a rollover is there any material related issue with ERW that would justify the double the cost of building it out of DOM.

As I've stated I have read a sh*t ton of info on ERW vs DOM, but they almost all boil down to an opinion fight like a Ford vs Chevy fight and has no value or info worth the pixels on the screen. I can see if I was building a purpose built race vehicle the choice is obviously DOM, because the use is specific and has a higher chance of actual damage. Since mine is just added safety I am leaning toward an ERW bar.

Thoughts?

 

[johnwojo]

You might as well make it a 6pt then your good to 10.0 or 135 mph.

 

[Chris Van]

If simply for your peace of mind, use whatever you want. Mount the main hoop to the frame and run the rear bars along the roof line and down through the package tray. You've got your added safety, still have the use of the rear seat and your trunk.
Keep in mind though that you probably don't wear a helmet during your daily commute, and a roll bar can do serious damage to you and/or your passengers.

 

[CWPottenger]

You might as well make it a 6pt then your good to 10.0 or 135 mph.

I am not a fan of door bars even the swing outs are a Pain in the *ss getting in and out of in my experience with other peoples cars with them in.

 

[CWPottenger]

If simply for your peace of mind, use whatever you want. Mount the main hoop to the frame and run the rear bars along the roof line and down through the package tray. You've got your added safety, still have the use of the rear seat and your trunk.
Keep in mind though that you probably don't wear a helmet during your daily commute, and a roll bar can do serious damage to you and/or your passengers.

That is the plan. That is the other reason I am making my own set. All the prefab kits I have seen the fitment is poor at best. I plan to have the bar tucked up tight on the roof line and follow the roof line to the back window and down through package tray. I never have rear passengers so that is not an issue and I should be fine in the front seats for head clearance from what I measured. This is a weekend warrior toy and not a daily driver also. I rolled a car once that was a hardtop and it crushed my side down 4 inches and the passenger side to the door ledge so I would like the added structural "head space" bar in the unlikely event I did somehow roll this car, since I do "play" with the power this car has.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[lilbowtie]

How do you put a price on safety - That's a 3500 lb car and your talking less than $100. You know my suggestion. Couple ideas for your regal

 

[CWPottenger]

How do you put a price on safety - That's a 3500 lb car and your talking less than $100. You know my suggestion. Couple ideas for your regal

If you can get DOM for less then $100 difference then you have better suppliers then I can find in my area. It is $8.00/ ft more expensive from the suppliers I can find. I'm getting 2 16' pieces so that is $250 difference which for me is a lot. Any bar is safer then none is the thought I am thinking and the ERW is accepted at the track from what I see and read in the rule books.

I'm not arguing that DOM has a higher strength in any way that is a given. Just this is really a 99% street and 1% track ride.

I like the way your bar looks. Did you build it?

 

[lilbowtie]

Comp engineering kit - I bent the down bars. Look into it!

 

[CWPottenger]

Comp engineering kit - I bent the down bars. Look into it!

I went to their website and I only see an 8pt kit. Do they have a 4pt?

 

[FE3X CLONE]

I think what he means is that he bought their 8pt strut kit and then bent his own rear down bars.

http://www.competitionengineering.com/c ... =main.menu