View Full Version : installing roll cages
fishnjeeps
02-23-2009, 03:14 AM
Has anyone installed a roll cage inside a car before? I'm looking to put one in the mustang I bought and I'm not 100% sure about it. I'm looking at a competition engineering kit from summit racing which is under $300, but is that the best way to go? Anyone with experience and ideas? I'm looking to make this into a drag racer that can still be street legal. I'm sure I can get this into the low 10's with a little work so I need a good cage to take it to the track. I just don't want to risk injury from a poor quality cage.
DrLewall
02-23-2009, 10:55 AM
Stunt car??
fishnjeeps
02-23-2009, 04:05 PM
Stunt car??
Hahaha! No Doc, more of a Street/Strip car. Looking to hit the track on the weekends. I evidently need to get an NHRA license for the tracks by me so I'm working on that now. I've just never installed one before.
DrLewall
02-23-2009, 04:09 PM
got a sponsor or two, or are you rich? If so, just remember, us "millionaires" hafta stick together! :D
My buddy DIG's got one in his mustang. I sent him the link. If he remembers his account/password, he may chime in.
tinknocker
02-23-2009, 10:01 PM
personally any roll cage that costs 3 hundred bucks is junk!!! a decent roll cage will cost you that much in material!!! trust me i did my own cage and rolled it over real slow in november and it held up perfectly, i dont know what a 300 dollar roll cage would do at 100+ miles an hour when you hit the wall, but i wouldnt want to be inside it for sure!!!
just my 2 cents!!!
The cage in question is a bolt in cage. I've seen them in person in two of my buddies stangs. They seem to be OK. But, if you "engineer" the cage, you better re-engineer the car too. Cuz, the more weight, the less time. I do have pics of a 7 second notch back in my photo album somewhere. You should see the cage on that bad boy. Car is SICK!!! Should be able to make 6 but, driver hasn't broke 6 yet.
fishnjeeps
02-24-2009, 01:58 PM
From what I can tell, It is only parts I still have to weld it together and adjust it for the car. It just has the bends in it already. I can weld it into the car or bolt it in either way. I've never made a cage before so I thought this might help. How much should a cage cost?
How much should a cage cost?
That's a loaded question. How much is your life worth?
DrLewall
02-24-2009, 02:48 PM
I remember a helmet ad from way back in the 70's...if you have a $10 head, then buy a $10 helmet.
fishnjeeps
02-25-2009, 03:05 PM
Ok fair enough, I asked for that. So I guess what I need to know is How is a $1,000,000 cage any better than a $300 cage? Or better yet, anyone know any places that install these? This seems like something that someone else should do as I know nothing about welding or fabricating things.
OhioYJ
02-25-2009, 05:10 PM
personally any roll cage that costs 3 hundred bucks is junk!!! a decent roll cage will cost you that much in material!!! trust me i did my own cage and rolled it over real slow in november and it held up perfectly, i dont know what a 300 dollar roll cage would do at 100+ miles an hour when you hit the wall, but i wouldnt want to be inside it for sure!!!
I've looked at these kits as well, they are from Competition Engineering, they are just bent pieces that you weld together, they say fitting is required. They say they meet all NHRA specs, so I don't see the price being a problem. They just mass produce these, and on top of that it's for a Mustang that parts are cheap for anyways. I don't see it as being a junk cage. I'm looking at getting one for the Camaro actually.
10 second cars I believe need at least a 8 point, unless it's a convertible then it needs a 10 point. But I would double check that, as I could be remembering that wrong.
Some of the welding can be done outside the car, as most sanctioning bodies allow you to have a bolt together sleeve where necessary, but they all have special rules and regulations on it, so you'll have to look that up. The rest of the welding, well, you'll have to gut as much of the car as possible, and get a bunch of welding blankets.
tinknocker
02-25-2009, 10:55 PM
Ok fair enough, I asked for that. So I guess what I need to know is How is a $1,000,000 cage any better than a $300 cage? Or better yet, anyone know any places that install these? This seems like something that someone else should do as I know nothing about welding or fabricating things.
i have a buddy who i built my rig at his shop that can bend/weld anything you want!!! he also has a cnc lathe and mill in his shop so he can make damn near anything you would want!!! i'll pm his number to you!!! his shop is in Kenosha WI!!!
fishnjeeps
02-26-2009, 04:00 PM
Sweet! Thanks for the help guys! I'm bringing the car to my new shop on saturday. The interior is gone except for the front seats and the dash/console so I'm most of the way there. I also need to fix some holes in the body. From what I understand and 8 point cage will be sufficent, I don't NEED a 10 point cage until I run 9's. but There's no rules against having a 10 point if you run slower so I figured I'd have more than necessary. I'll post some pics of this after I get iit home.