Rollbar/Cage Advise/Recomendations

[Farbin Kaiber]

I've been searching for a highly recomended product to use on my present project, but I was hoping for some advise from those who have gone this route and afterwards see things from a different light. Im looking bolt in, and simple, but what do you guys say?

Cost isn't the main issue, this is safety equipment, and you simply cannot put a price on that. So I have seen reviews on these, but what do you guys have to say?

http://www.vsr1.com/e30_rollbar.htm

http://www.autopowerindustries.com/rollbars.asp

[JGood]

I just installed the bolt in autopower bar in my car. Easy to install (minus rear side panel reinstallation), doesn't block too much of my view, but I don't have much else to say - hopefully it doesn't fold up in a crash...

Make sure you get good 5 or 6 point harnesses. I went with G-Force 6 point cam-locks, mainly for the price, and am very happy.

Can't say how it compares to other bars, everyone has their own opinion it seems. I don't think you'll be disappointed with either choice.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Thanks JGood, How is the clearance from seatback-to-bar and bar-to-rear seat? I ask because I have to custom fab seat bracket extenders as I am 6'9" and need leg room. Also, Does it take any viable headroom? I guess I really need to find a way to test fit these options...

[BimmerToad]

The bar can add headroom by allowing you to safely add in a 1 piece fixed shell seat and mounting brackets that allow the seat to hug the floorpan. I gained an inch or two when I went with a 1 piece shell and made some sheet metal seat mounting adapters, but I'm only 6'2". Good luck

[Farbin Kaiber]

I need normal, comfy seats, this is a DD project, but, being as this car was manufactured without an airbag or other safety equipment, my plan is to add wherever I can.

[JGood]

What are you trying to add? If you are trying to add safety for a daily driver, I wouldn't be looking at roll bars. I don't even like driving mine on the street, and I'm only 5'10", I have plenty of room between the high density-padded bar and my head. But it's still a bar, and it's still my head, I don't like it.

Plus it's extra weight.

Are you tracking this car at all?

[Farbin Kaiber]

No, just an S52 and the Southern California Highway System. I want to add any additional protection. I guess you could call it "in case" insurance.

[JGood]

No, just an S52 and the Southern California Highway System. I want to add any additional protection. I guess you could call it "in case" insurance.

If you are looking for safety in normal driving conditions, like I said, I wouldn't recommend a roll bar. I don't think it's going to benefit you in likely crash scenarios that occur on the street.

If you have your "spirited drive" roads, then maybe it would help, if you get a set of harnesses and wear a helmet...

I would not want to wrap my car up, with a bolt in roll bar, not wearing a helmet. Do you know what it's like to smash your head into a steel bar at 60mph? You won't be able to tell us what it's like, that's for sure.

I'm definitely no expert in safety, and don't have a lot of experience, but from what I hear, what you are trying to do is not a good idea. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in.

[Farbin Kaiber]

I can respect and take one opinion in to account, but is it just me, or are there many members with "streetcars" with bars that I have seen pics of?

Not trying to be a follower of those mentioned above, but looking for safety, and seeing others do the same.

[JGood]

I think the majority of those guys track their cars, where the added safety at the track (where you are much more likely to be in an accident where a roll bar could prevent injury), outweighs the likelihood of a street accident where it may cause additional injury. That's the way it is for me, anyway. I have a roll bar in my track car which gets driven at autoX's, track days, and to and from these events. I do not have one in my daily driver e30.

Not to take away from the discussion or traffic on this board, but the bimmerforums.com racing section has a lot of very knowledgeable people, and there are many threads regarding this topic. I'm sure there is wrong info floating around there as well, but you may find an opinion you can trust - that's what I've done. Maybe speak with Matt on this board, he seems to be experienced with safety.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Much thanks, It's always great to have a thread stay on track outside of 10 posts, and we did a great job. I will keep searching, and I may start to lean in your direction JGood, If anyone else has any sound advise from their own experiences, its appreciated.

[racingwoody]

I would say what you are seeing in pics are people that use their cars as daily drivers and track cars. If this is only to be used as a street car and no track events I would also recommend against installing a cage. I would agree that I would do more damage hitting my head against the roll cage in my race car with no helmet than not having a roll cage at all. Wear a seat belt would be my best advice, if you want to add safety you can install a harness bar which fits between the B pillars and allows you to properly install a 4,5,or 6 point harness. Just my 2 cents.

[Rigmaster]

You're wasting your time and $$ putting a rollbar in an E30 for street "safety".

IF you were to roll the car, the chances of the roof caving in without the rollbar are slim to none- but the chances of you smashing your head on that 1-3/4" steel bar less than an inch from your skull are pretty high.

And, if you get hit from the rear or the side, then your head will definitely hit the bar and it will not feel good. Don't bother mentioning that you'll pad the bar, unless you are planning to wear your helmet everytime you drive the car- it will still hurt, ALOT.





Your $$$ is better spent on autocrossing or doing some DE's with good in car instruction than putting a roll bar in the car. You will have a much better chance of avoiding a bad situation if you know how your car acts at higher speeds.

[Farbin Kaiber]

So if I go with seats, 4pt. and a harness bar I should be at the mark before going overkill? Any suggestions on harness bar? Is it a buy the gussets and DIY-buddy-with-a-mandrel-bender-mod?

[Rigmaster]

So if I go with seats, 4pt. and a harness bar I should be at the mark before going overkill? Any suggestions on harness bar? Is it a buy the gussets and DIY-buddy-with-a-mandrel-bender-mod?

Don't put harnesses in a car without a rollbar.



If you're REALLY going for safety, just sell the E30 and buy a 2005 Hyundai with 14 airbags. Seriously, any car made in the last 10 years will probably be alot safer than an E30 in a bad wreck.