How 'fuhraze' would it be?

[Mtriple]

Everyone says this, but I don't really understand how possibly hitting my head on a tube from the cage is any worse than hitting my head on the steel structure of the door, b pillar and a pillar. Should everyone be wearing helmets all the time? I've been in a few caged e30's and without a helmet, I couldn't hit one of the tubes unless I raised up out of the seat. By then you're already into the roof anyway, this is true of 99% of the cars with cages I have been in. The only time the tubes got in the way was when I put the helmet on, and at this point in some cars (mine currently included) I'd be nearly rubbing my head on the roof.

Not trying to be a smart ass, I'm really curious why this common perception of you must wear a helmet with a cage is so prevalent. This probably wasn't the best place to ask these types of questions, but I know several members have experience with it.

A roll bar is a good option, but I'd chose to install nothing and wait to do a full cage in that case. The main reason I'm interested in one is the side impact and foot well protection it offers. Have you ever seen an e30 take a side impact? Scary stuff.

Well, I would be one of those members that have had experience with it. My last E30 had a full custom cage and was driven on the street occasionally. In my car, I could easily touch the gussets between the main hoop and the roof bar with the side of my head by just leaning over. Trust me, this is a bad idea.

Half cage yes, full cage no...

[einstein57]

excuse the crapy edit but something like this should suit you. This is what i plan on doing. I'm going autopower and adding the side protection.

[Julien]

get a roll bar

[LINUS]

How 'bout you settle for a half-cage, that respray & have your buddy do a little touch-up down the line?

That full cage is great, just not in your DD, although I do like your idea about just wearing a helmet everywhere you go.

On second thought, scratch that - some soccer mom would see it, like it & overnight it would be a law your kid has to be in an approved childseat & wearing a helmet. So maybe no.

[delatlanta1281]

Wait,
There has got to be better things you and your friend can accomplish on your car. If it is 100 precent finished, then I woulsay just get a hoop cage, but something tells me it isn't. Is your dash cracked? If it is, I would probably fix that before a cage considering he is a body guy

[Widm3r]

If you were to go through with this and not run a helmet all the time you should at least get harnesses. The 3pt standard seat belt would not have enough restraint on the body i feel.

[DarkWing6]

Climbing in and out over the side bars on a full cage for the next few years would suck too.

Half cage FTW!!!

[AlarmedBread]

Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated.

....In my car, I could easily touch the gussets between the main hoop and the roof bar with the side of my head by just leaning over. Trust me, this is a bad idea.

Half cage yes, full cage no...

In the stock seats I can easily touch my head on the door frame, bpillar and A pillar just by leaning over and they aren't much softer. I will be installing side mount seats which will lower a good few inches, also removing the sunroof cartridge will put the cage up as high as possible. Is the common rule that if you can't hit your head on any bars, and hit the windows or something instead a cage would be deemed safe? I've read that bsci roll bar padding meets DOT requirements, but still falls short of serious/fatal head trauma. Much like the standard interior of most cars.

What about driving to/from the track? There are several within a couple hours drive from me and I don't really feel it's necessary to tow my vehicle there. I know its a big debate with the spec miata and probaby spec e30 guys too.

If you were to go through with this and not run a helmet all the time you should at least get harnesses. The 3pt standard seat belt would not have enough restraint on the body i feel.

Will be installing 5 or 6 point (probably corbeau because I've liked their seat offerings). I was under the impression that harnesses were unsafe on the street even with a cage (which I find a little perplexing). I can see where it would suck for checking blind spots etc.

There's really nothing else that needs to be done to the car. It is in great mechanical condition and all wear items have been replaced in the last year. Also any maintenance items I can do myself, but don't have the facilities to do a full respray or the experience to build a roll bar/cage.

I'm still leaning towards doing a full cage, and removing the car from dd status, which I'm more than happy to do looking at fresh paint and winter around the corner. I will however be driving the car to/from track/autocross etc. events.


Maybe I should build a mad max style cage on the outside of the car? :D

[2002maniac]

I think you are already ripping off your friend. That's alot of work for a parts car. Go for the half cage.

[LINUS]

Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated.
Maybe I should build a mad max style cage on the outside of the car? :D

You might be the 1st. Exo cage would be bitchin.

[Bimmerista]

I wouldn't go farther than doing a roll bar

[AlarmedBread]

I think you are already ripping off your friend. That's alot of work for a parts car. Go for the half cage.

He's getting all the parts needed for the car and I'm helping him install them. I'm also buying all materials for the job, so he is only paying in labor which he typically charges $30/hr for. I can't really rip him off if he doesn't want to do the work ;)

[BeirBrennerE30]

half cage is your best bet... personally i dont see the problem for a full cage in the street with an occational driver(weekend car) as long as there isnt a an unpadded bar right near your head.

for a daily driver crawling in and out of a car with a full cage will get to be a bitch reeeeaaaal quick. oh yeah and if you try to convince a girl to climb in through the window your going to be very lonely...

[Bill 84 318i]

I think it's retarded.

Have you ever gotten into a car with a cage? It's horrible (and I'm 5'8" 150lbs)...and forget about taking out friends or a girl. Have you ever driven on the street with anything more than a stock 3pt seatbelt? It makes daily driving intolerable - you can't lean forward for shit. Not to mention, since it already has been, the greater risk (and there is, don't be ignorant and deny it) of damage to your head in the case of an accident.

If you can't afford a dedicated track car, then it's safe to say you're not racing, and if it's not racing, you don't need a full cage. Get a rollbar.