Roll cage feedback

Constant_Project21 · 02-08-2010

I've been researching all the stuff I want to do to my car, a cage has crossed my mind a couple times. I don't plan to ever run anything lower than a 10. More or less looking for feedback from people using a cage. I'm gonna drive the car a lot (or at least hope to) in the summer, so I'm kinda hesitant to put one in, but don't feel like getting kicked off the track if I do run pretty fast times. I'm doing a full interior tear down, so if I were to get one done, I'd like to get it done during that time.

My questions are-
1. How do you like your cage set up. (Is it pretty easy to get in and out? Any annoyances that bug ya? Etc...)
2. What kind of cage should I get? (6pt, 8pt, 10pt...) *keep in mind, don't plan to run faster than mid tens, and want to get some autocross in*
3. Who locally makes cages, or what's a good site up get a weld in cage?

Any input is helpful, thanks for the time!

Dan.

**Halon** · 02-08-2010

John (pushit) on here I believe is willing to make them for a decent price. Otherwise places like TnT can do it, and there's that other shop that did a lot of chasis work for MAP, can't think of their name though, deng.

Constant_Project21 · 02-08-2010

I remember the place that did MAP's stuff, but couldn't think of the name either haha.

scorcho96 · 02-08-2010

Whoa bert, really taking it to the next level here.

turbotalon1g · 02-08-2010

Hey Bert? lol

I say drive the car first before you decide to put a cage in it, are you ready to move around a cage everytime you want to get into your DSM?

Also, what are you going with that you will need a cage? Will you be tracking it that much?

I'm just a big fan of street cars and don't really see a cage in a street car, esp. a DSM (maybe cause I haven't seen that many)

Not really a jab at you, but I do have a little doubt I think there are only a few active members on here whose car needs a cage.

I read your post fully, so i left my post.
I say rock without the cage, there are other threads on here about who does cages (that can be certified!, a big plus)
I'll help you this summer pull the interior out, I've done it a million times and its kinda sick but I enjoy it.

**Goat Blower** · 02-08-2010

A little advice, run your 10's, then put in a cage, they are a pain in the ass.

Constant_Project21 · 02-08-2010

My build is kinda heading towards a multi purpose street car. I do plan to take it to the track as much as I can, but it will be used more as a DD (if/when it's running). I guess I was hesitant on the whole comfortablilty factor, as well as safety. I'm not looking forward to climbin into my car everyday, or having other people (especially of the lady variety) having to deal with it. If my car ends up where I want it to be, then i'd feel a lot safer spending a couple hundred dollars to have a saftey net. It's a strictly summer car, so it's not like it's gonna get a ton of use, but enough where I can see a cage getting annoying.

And turbotalon, I might take ya up on that help haha. I'm not looking forward to tearing it apart, did it twice this last summer.

Oh and the nickname "bert", derives from my last name (Hebert). A couple of my friends are on here, and I have a lot of nicknames lol

Swifty1638 · 02-08-2010

Including shitfuck. Cages are fine. Mine was a gift. Needed more-so for the harnesses, and was a GREAT excuse to get rid of that crap auto seatbelt shit. Stiffens the car up, and I feel it handles better. Be prepared to spend more then a few houndred though on the fabrication and install costs.

Chim55117 · 02-08-2010

Hey Bert, on a random note, do you need any parts from a 1GA? Parting one out at the moment.

Constant_Project21 · 02-08-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swifty1638

Including shitfuck. Cages are fine. Mine was a gift. Needed more-so for the harnesses, and was a GREAT excuse to get rid of that crap auto seatbelt shit. Stiffens the car up, and I feel it handles better. Be prepared to spend more then a few houndred though on the fabrication and install costs.

I would love to rid of auto seatbelts...that would be a joy. I've seen 6/8pt kits for sale (dsm specific) for like $200. I figure I know someone down the line that could weld it up for me, but want it done nice if I do.

And I don't recall shitfuck on list of nicknames swifty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chim55117

Hey Bert, on a random note, do you need any parts from a 1GA? Parting one out at the moment.

Couldn't text or pm me that? Lol

**Halon** · 02-08-2010

What exactly do you feel you'll be doing that requires a cage? Depending on the purpose, you might not even want to waste any money on a 6-point.

Swifty1638 · 02-08-2010

I've called you that before!! lol jp.

Constant_Project21 · 02-08-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halon

What exactly do you feel you'll be doing that requires a cage? Depending on the purpose, you might not even want to waste any money on a 6-point.

Drag racing is one, I'm under the impression that you're fine up to the ten mark, with an 8pt cage. I don't think I need an 8 by any means, since I'll be shooting for mid-low 11's, maybe dipping into the high tens.

Also wanted to get out and do some autocrossing. Figure a cage might help stiffen things up, maybe help out a bit.

DSM_brother2 · 02-08-2010

im installing a cage, i kno im not going to be in the times needed anytime soon, i just feel safer with it.

**Halon** · 02-08-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constant_Project21

Drag racing is one, I'm under the impression that you're fine up to the ten mark, with an 8pt cage. I don't think I need an 8 by any means, since I'll be shooting for mid-low 11's, maybe dipping into the high tens.

Also wanted to get out and do some autocrossing. Figure a cage might help stiffen things up, maybe help out a bit.

You are fine without a cage until you hit 11.49. A 5-pt cage is good to 10.00 or 135mph. With the way DSM's run, it's not the time, it's the MPH you need to watch out for. When you start hitting low 11's, you may find yourself in the 130's. So the 5-pt/6-pt cage is kind of a wash in that aspect because you may still be booted even at low 11's high 10's. If you're going to spend the money on a cage for a DSM for drag purposes, my opinion is skip the 5/6-pt and go straight to the full cage, then you don't have to worry at all. John seemed to know a bit about what all you need to run faster than 135 as far as a cage goes, and he said he would guarantee his work to pass tech. He might be a good resource to tap into before deciding on anything.

Only reason I know what I do, is because I was in your same shoes, looking for a 5/6-pt cage because it was good to 10.00. Then I found myself running 11.0 at 135, and 10,9 at 137. So that 5/6-pt setup would already be no good do to my MPH. So glad I didn't get one. Now, I'm also contemplating a cage, but haven't bit the bullet yet because I hate to do that to what is a 99% street car. Decisions decisions...

turbotalon1g · 02-08-2010

I'll be getting rid of my manual seat belts when I get home, so problem solved don't need fricken cage or $200 or swifty I'm ballin wanna be race car superstar harnesses.

I need some a rust free pass fender. (since we are posting random crap along with helpful posts, or just by themselves)

slowbubblecar · 02-08-2010

For comfort, maybe you want to do swing outs? Not sure if they are ok for the track or not though.

**Halon** · 02-08-2010

yeah swingouts are allowed. I thought I remember John saying something though about possibly not even needing those side bars. I can't remember and I think I deleted the PM's. Deng it.

EDIT:
found the PM. He said with a 10pt cage, you only need a drivers side bar. So you could leave the passenger side without a bar, and only have a bar on the drivers side, but have that bar completely removable (via pins like a swingout), and leave that bar out all the time and only put it in on track day. That'd probably be your least intrusive option.

So something like this, but that cross beam that goes across the driver side door could be completely removeable, and the cross bar on the passenger side door simply wouldn't exist.

slowbubblecar · 02-08-2010

^ If it was me, I would do the pass side door as well (likely in a swing out). It would seem kind of weird to only have one door bar.

Constant_Project21 · 02-08-2010

The swingout deal sounds a hell of a lot nicer than having to hop into my car.

Turbotalon-not buying a cage so I can have cool seatbelts, haha, just mentioned it would be nice to rid of the auto belts.

Thanks for the feedback, and keep it coming please!