4 point roll bar comparison

[BimmerToad]

I'm considering a 4 pt roll bar, not in the immediate future, but in the near future, and I'd like to know of any experiences you guys have with them. I'm looking for a bolt in, perferrably with a removable diagonal. I know it's not the same protection as a full cage, but my car has to undergo compromises since it's a dual purpose track/street car.

The bars that come to mind are the DOM Autopower, VSR1, Kirk, and the Safety Devices.

How are the fitment on the bars? Is the diagonal bar easily removable? Do all the backing plates line up with the car properly? Any pictures of installations would be great.

[e30sd]

i've heard not so good things about the kirk rear mounting points, but i wouldn't really know too much about it; someone still as my 15 & 16 mm combo wrenches...

[UNHCLL]

VSR bar.

X-brace is easily removed.
Our bar is the closest of any to the headliner/b-pillars/rear windows. This gives you as much space as possible inside the car.


























I'm baised on my preference obviously.... but Kirk has fitment issues. Some local guys had to fight with the mounting plates to get them to fit. I also hate their 'X' bar. Autopower fitment is decent, but it wastes lots of space.

Just remember, if you put in a roll-bar, you should consider the back seat for emergencies only. It is not safe to drive with passengers in the back.

HTH,
Chris

https://www.VSR1.com

[M-technik-3]

I have issues with my Kirk bar. As the center section I paid to have removeable is not. I am waiting to hear back from Kirk right now. As far as cost went sorry Chris but they were far cheaper than VSR's unit.

If Mario would aggreed to a 10 bar GB then I would have gone that way but otherwise the budget dictated else where. Overall fitment, mine is tight close to those numbers.

[UNHCLL]

I have issues with my Kirk bar. As the center section I paid to have removeable is not. I am waiting to hear back from Kirk right now. As far as cost went sorry Chris but they were far cheaper than VSR's unit.

If Mario would aggreed to a 10 bar GB then I would have gone that way but otherwise the budget dictated else where. Overall fitment, mine is tight close to those numbers.

Yea I know Kirk was much cheaper. Nothing wrong with budgets, hell I dont have a bar in my car for that reason.

[BimmerToad]

Chris, thanks for the detailed pics of the VSR bar. The fitment looks pretty good. It looks like a pretty good option. The bar looks like it's made out of DOM, correct? Are strong mounting brackets provided in the kit? One concern I have about that bar is the curved portion of the rear braces of the bar. Why are they curved? Is their an option for a harness bar?

Does anyone have pictures of the Autopower bar or the Safety Devices?

[BimmerToad]

but i wouldn't really know too much about it

Is that because you also don't have your Bentley?

[Rob]

The bar looks like it's made out of DOM, correct?

from www.vsr1.com: "1.750 OD .095" wall DOM Tube."

Is their an option for a harness bar?

Looks like a harness bar to me:

[JasonH]

Initially, I was frustrated with the fitment of my Kirk bar. After five minutes with my 3 lb sledge, everything fit really well. Despite this issue, I just couldn't justify spending twice as much for essentially the same thing (functionally, anyway). That is in reference to the Autopower bar. The Autopower bars are VERY nice, but for what we got the Kirk bars for, it just didn't make sense to me. Admittedly, the Autopower bars were the only other ones I really considered because they are local.

[JasonH]

Also...

If you want to see the Kirk bar in person, let me know. IIRC, you mentioned that your parents live in RSF. I live just down Lomas Santa Fe, so you are welcome to stop by if you like. The other thing I would suggest is checking out Autopower since they are so close. Dave Turner Motorsports also has an example of the Autopower bars in the shop (or at least they did when I was there last week). There is a local E30 owner who has an Autopower bar that looks really good. I can give you his e-mail addy if you want to connect with him.

[BimmerToad]

Looks like a harness bar to me:

A lot of people use the horizontal portion of the cross brace as a harness bar, but if you're like me and are 6'3", belts mounted from that location will put more pressure downward on my shoulders. Ideally harnesses should be between horizontal to 40 deg below horizontal (to harness holes in the seat back) per SCCA/BMWCCA rules. While a belt mounted in that location is perfectly legal, the more the belt is angled from horizontal, the more downward pressure is put on the shoulders.

[BimmerToad]

Also...

If you want to see the Kirk bar in person, let me know. IIRC, you mentioned that your parents live in RSF. I live just down Lomas Santa Fe, so you are welcome to stop by if you like. The other thing I would suggest is checking out Autopower since they are so close. Dave Turner Motorsports also has an example of the Autopower bars in the shop (or at least they did when I was there last week). There is a local E30 owner who has an Autopower bar that looks really good. I can give you his e-mail addy if you want to connect with him.

Jason,

You're right, Autopower is pretty close. While the bar might be a bit more than the Kirk bar, hopefully I could pick one up and save the cost of shipping a large 50lb steel structure. I have, however, heard less than adequate comments about the mounting plates provided by Autopower. But it's nothing some custom fabbing (or a big hammer) can't fix :) , I'm sure I'm still a few months away from purchasing a bar (need to sort out my suspension first), so I'll probably get a chance to see your bar at the next local E30 meet (hopefully there is one coming up). Were you able to attach the bar firmly to the rear wheel wells? I noticed Bryson's bar didn't completely mount to the rear wells.

Todd

[JasonH]

I realized that I had my bar removed temporarily at the last auto-x, so you would not have seen it when looking at my car. Obviously, it is the same as Bryson's, but I wasn't as lazy as he was and actually secured the rear plates ( :P ). We installed them them right before he left for school so he didn't have a chance to finish it. If you have concerns with the mounting points of the harness on the horizontal bar, definitely consider getting an Autopower bar since they can do a custom set-up for you. Just don't let the expense of shipping a bar scare you off. I was surprised how reasonable the freight was.

[UNHCLL]

Sorry, I was away all day. Otherwise I would have responded sooner.

Bar is being adjusted to move the harness bar higher for the exact reason you mentioned.

Curved portion where it connects to hoop has been deleted as well.
My father is 6' 3" as well, so speak to him about seat/harness fitment.

Mounting plates - Yes, we provide heavy duty mounting plates both inside & outside of the car along with all the neccessary hardware.

HTH,
Chris

[DanGillan]

i'll be rocking the VSR bar in a short while, it definately seems like one of the best out there, i've seen it in will's (ydubbs4) m3 and its a damn well made bar. hence the reason i will be buying one ;) (that, and they're local :))