Rollbar question???

[ironhead498]

I'm to the point of needing a rollbar. Running quicker that 11.5 and the body lines are starting to not line up anymore...

Any one have any suggestions on a mailorder rollbar that fits nicely?

I realy want one that fits nice and tight to the interior, would like to be able to still use the sunroof, don't want to hack up the door armrest.....ect. It's a street car that maybe sees the track once or twice a year, so I realy don't want to make it a pain in the a$$ every time I want to go cruising. It will have removable/swingout door bars.
I've had a couple of quotes on cutom rollbars from shops in the area, but...$$$$. I'm a compitant welder, so I'm not worried about that part of it. I'm just not sure that I want to invest in a bender, notcher, so on and so on for a one time job.

 

[Rick 91GT]

Where are you located? Maximum Motorsports has a bunch of bolt in legal rollbars with a lot options... http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=121_126_271

Ive never used one, but I have seen them and they look great.

Wolfe Racecraft make a bunch of kits, that are supposed to be closer to hold and weld then others. I have used S&W in the past, but you will need to re notch and do more fab work to make it fit properly.

 

[Cobra912]

I bought mine from Wild Rides, mail order, fast shipping and all pre notched, great fit. hold and weld.

http://wildridesracecars.com/store/home.php?cat=253

 

[Cobra912]

 

[wythors]

That must make it a biotch to get in and out.

 

[Noobz347]

...and how do you paint it once it's installed?

 

[Rick 91GT]

Noobz, you have to pull all interior....mask and paint.

Mine was easy

 

[Noobz347]

Now I've seen your setup. I can't recall much about it that was, "EASY".

I'm thinking, dry fit, remove, powder coat, and install?

 

[Rick 91GT]

I thought the bolt in bars from MM came powder coated yellow or black, not sure if they do that any more or not. I used POR15 on mine, glass black, smooth as silk and won't chip.

 

[Noobz347]

I've got an MM cage sitting out in the garage. It's bare metal.

What did you do to get the POR 15 to adhere? I thought it was supposed to be applied to a corroded/converted surface for adhesion?

 

[Rick 91GT]

I used a very diluted mild acid wash first (I noticed they dont sell it any more.....lol) , just to make sure I got good adhesion...but with blackcote you can paint bare metal

http://www.por15.com/BLACKCOTE/productinfo/BCG/

 

[Noobz347]

Did you spray it or brush it?

 

[Rick 91GT]

Brush....just cant go over spots if you miss or it will dry dull you have to go back once it dries to touch up. The brush strokes dissapear and you cant beat it with a hammer and it doesnt chip or scratch.

 

[Noobz347]

I think that's probably the way I will go as well then. Gah... I've got several projects waiting for me to get of my ass and just do it.

 

[ID89GT]

I have a bolt in in my car. Its chrome and just bolted to the floor behind the front seats and it goes through the rear quarter plastics. It don't have any bars that go to the front, and is just the back seat area. I honestly don't know if it is even doing anything but I don't want to mess with it so just left it haha

 

[Noobz347]

I used a very diluted mild acid wash first (I noticed they dont sell it any more.....lol) , just to make sure I got good adhesion...but with blackcote you can paint bare metal

http://www.por15.com/BLACKCOTE/productinfo/BCG/

So no primer or anything. Since they don't sell the acid wash anymore, what do you suggest?

This is the rollbar I've got: http://www.maximummotorsports.com/s...roduct_info&cPath=121_126_271&products_id=816

Weld it or bolt it, you think?

 

[ironhead498]

Rick....I'm in the norther Illinois area....60 miles or so from Chicago.

I'm not a huge fan of the doorbars on the MM stuff, but as a swing out, I'm sure it would be fine.
Kinda like the Wolfe products, but they are a little on the pricey side. I suppose you get what you pay for.

Any one know what degree you can lean the main hoop back? At 6'2" I need all the room I can get, and I don't think you can put a curved/kicked back harness mount bar and still be a legal bar without adding extra support bars. I realy don't want to add a jungle gym and extra weight to my STREET car if you know what I mean.

I guess I'm beeing kinda picky about it, but it's going to have to be a compromise between what I want and what it will take to still be a legal bar.

Oh and thanks for the painting tips. I was wondering about that also.

 

[Rick 91GT]

I dont know anybody up there to recommend. Dave Zimmerman at Team Z is in MI www.teamzmotorsports.net , he'd be well worth the drive to give that custom fit you want, I do not know his current pricing. You can also install the main hoop up on top of the rear bulk head (but you loose the rear seat), but gernerally the main hoop is pushed into that corner in front of the bulkhead, and you are allowed to bend the back cross bar to gain seat clearance, that has become very popular with taller guys in FOX stangs.

I prefer these clevis for swing outs, but they run $140 a set/side

 

[srtthis]

skinnykid race cars is up that way i believe

 

[Rick 91GT]

SKRC is in Commerce, MI