Best Rollcage weldin/boltin kit?

[Luis325]

Im trying to figure out what route to go with the car... Its a track only car and im looking at doing a full custom cage or a weld/bolt in cage kit...

I know of autopower and kirk... Any other kits available? Spec e30 or SCCA approved, etc.?

thanks

[widebodye30]

I can see what S&H charges will cost out to PR if you would like a Autopower full cage:)

[KenC]

I'd go custom? The car is gutted, right?

[Luis325]

Car is guted... Custom cage here in PR cost me $2,000....thats why im looking for kit options. Ary let me know.. I bought a kirk rollbar for my last car and shipping was $175 by DBS.

[Bimmerman325i]

Custom is the way to go, and $2k for a welded cage installed in your car is a very good price.

I would stay FAR away from autopower, the fitment to the pillars sucks, the main feet are tiny (small area to spread forces), and they are very heavy.

I have no experience with the Kirk setup, but I know many people run and like it. I've not heard much about their cage though, most folks either run their bars or go custom cage.

No other companies that I know of sell pre-fab cages, just bars.

Do it right the first time and get a custom cage welded in. Safety is one of the few areas that you do NOT want to cut corners or play the broke-ass cheap r3v-poster card. Ask yourself how much your life and mobility is worth to you, and buy the best setup possible, not whichever setup you can afford right this second.

As for SpecE30 or SCCA racing, neither allows you to race wheel to wheel with a prefab cage, they will not let you on track with a bolt-in cage, unless it's an open track day where there are no rules. You MUST run a full welded in cage that meets the requirements set forth in the GCR (no prefab cages do).

[Wh33lhop]

Yeah, I would not be considering bolt-in crap if I were you. Just bite the bullet--your life isn't worth it.

[kendogg]

Does Matt still have any of the TRM rollbars??

[SlapDash]

Check out Cage This, at cagethis.com. He's done many, many, many E30 cages for all lifestyles, SCCA, rally, etc. I know he sells pre-bent, pre-cut pieces that you can weld in yourself. He has shipped in the past, so it may not be a big deal.

He does excellent work.

Tell him Kris at Slapdash Racing sent you.

[etxxz]

be careful with some of these bolt-in the front bars are literally on your left knee.
I had the chance to sit in a kirt 6pt bolt in. No way i'm getting that.

I'm sure you can find someone to do a cage in the $1000-1200.. in PR.. cmon, there's gotta be some boricua willing to be.. a boricua.. and make a hell of a cage. Ofcourse, basic 6pt main hoop with diagonal and harness bar, front bars (or halo/front bars), two rear legs, two door bars on each side. I'm about to get one done too ; |

[kman_e30]

I can see what S&H charges will cost out to PR if you would like a Autopower full cage:)

do you guys keep auto power cages in stock?










sorry to tread jack

[XvillainousX]

Some per-fabricated weld in cages require the ends to be notched. If you pay a shop to install a per-fabricated weld in cage it'll end up costing as much as a custom cage to start with. If you or your friend installs the cage yourself, make sure you weld completely all the way around and properly notch the pipe ends.

Bolt in cages sit too low because they are made to accommodate the factory sun roof. Because of this I dont think they should be considered for anything other than a lame car show. The bar is so low you will bang your helment on the side of the roof bar. Find someone with a bolt in cage and you'll see what I mean.

If you get a custom cage: I recommend building a cage that meets a particular series where you live. Read the rule book for what is allowed. Even if you dont plan to enter that particular series and just plan to use it as a track car, it just makes your car that much more valuable if you sell it later. A car with a non-sanctioned roll cage is harder to sell thus a smaller return on your investment.

[e30s50dan]

I agree go with a custom cage...trust me,you will be happier than the autopower shit cage

[seatown88]

2k for a cage is a great deal, I paid more than 3x that for mine. But I feel much better about strapping into a car with a well fabricated cage than a car with a mass produced bolt in cage. You are already going to pay around 1k for a bolt in cage anyway, might as well and spend a little bit more for the custom, as long as the shop is a reputable One

[Luis325]

Well got a guy here in PR who is doing the Cage. Ill be taking the car next week to get a full custom cage!!! Going to cost me a few $$ more but its worth it!
Will post pics once its done!

[NigelStu]

Excellent choice to go with a custom cage.

If you need some ideas on how to do the basics of the cage (touchdown points, tubing placement, etc) let me know - I have lots of pics from my build. Some of those pics are in my Chump Car build thread here: Thelma's Cage


Try to get your builder to give you as much space as possible by your feet - your left ankle will appreciate it if the front down-tube is tucked up into the rocker.