To roll bar or not...

857 Views 12 Replies 4 Participants Last post by R100RT, Apr 5, 2001

R100RT

Discussion Starter · Apr 4, 2001

Stangers,
I think most of you know about my project, 1965 600 HP EFI fast back. Given the possibility that my car will see track time, should I put a rollbar in? How much of my interior will I loose? Any suggestions as to the roll bar to use?
ty
RT

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camachinist

· #3 · Apr 4, 2001

Depends on the intended use and the rules of the governing body...

Personally, I think you'll need more than a roll bar to effectively put that kind of HP to the ground whether going in a straight line or around corners...

Take a look at my race car page for an example of a roll bar (now modified into a full cage) that is typical of a car used in NHRA drag racing.....this is an application applying HP in the 400-450 range but could handle torque and HP that you are discussing...

It's all about converting HP into forward motion efficiently and safely and also protecting the driver if things go wrong....think geometry..*G*

Pat
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1570936&a=11937754&p=42910787.jpg

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camachinist

· #7 · Apr 4, 2001

IMO, the car definitely will need some triangulation...

Transmission and rear suspension type?...(I'm guessing 5 or 6 speed manual with an unequal link 4 bar) I know you have leaf springs (as do I) but getting all that HP to the ground will take a bit more than that...

Do I surmise correctly that you intend to road race the car (along with street use)? If so, check SCCA rules for your prospective class...that'll tell you what they allow...

FWIW, NHRA (drag racing) requires a triangulated roll bar in all closed cars running quicker than 11.99....my car runs that with secondaries shut off...

Of course, no rollover protection is required for the street and the stock unitbody of a fastback or coupe should provide reasonable protection in low speed accidents. I've seen a few early Pony's get upside down at the track and the drivers have walked away....in all instances the cars had roll cages....

One trip upside down on the guard rail will sell you on the benefits of that...

Good luck with your combo...sounds like a lot of fun...

Pat
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1570936&a=11937754&p=42910787.jpg

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camachinist

· #8 · Apr 4, 2001

Yeah, love those cameras...I built this bracket about 10 years ago to mount my 8mm video camera in the car...have gotten some great footage over the years...sometimes I'd point it at my competitors lane to shoot finish line fun....*G*

I imagine it would even be more fun in a road race car....

Never saw another bracket racer with a car cam....always surprised me...

Pat
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1570936&a=11937754&p=42910787.jpg

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camachinist

· #10 · Apr 4, 2001

Any track that you can spool the turbos up on and go around corners will likely require a roll bar, 5 point harness and a Snell approved crash helmet....

Unfortunately, from a track operators standpoint, when you're on the track, you're racing, not playing.....the safety equipment depends on who sanctions them and/or writes their insurance policy.

Only exceptions I can think of are autocross and street racing....

As long as you keep the car out of the 11's at a drag strip, you can go without a roll bar or 5 point harness....you'll need a helmet though...also, if you trunk-mount the battery, you'll need an exterior disconnect switch at the back of the car and to mount the battery in a certain way...

Find out the affiliation of the local track you want to run at and get a copy of the rule book....usually inexpensive and a wealth of information...you might even see some good tips for the street in there...

Pat
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1570936&a=11937754&p=42910787.jpg

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