Roll bar

[bionicbelly]

Hey all, just curious, I am talking to Bimmerworld about their JP roll bar for the E9x, and the possibility of getting one made for the 1'ers.

http://www.bimmerworld.com/Safety-Ra...E92-Coupe.html

As you can see, it is a pretty slick unit. They are wondering if there is a market for such. I have volunteered to let them use my car to build one, if you might be interested, contact Bimmerworld, or post up here and I will send them a link to the thread.

[jkoral]

FWIW, I recall this thread from a while back (no experience or affiliation):

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=460080

[bionicbelly]

Not 100% sure, but I do not believe they are making this anymore. Also, The diagonals that go from the main hoop to the rear shock towers are a different design. The connections are a slip type, instead of bolt though eye type (All the stress on a BR bar is on the hoop and those bolts) Not knocking the design, it is also very slick but the JP is going to be stronger, and possibly actually available.

[mabrahams]

VAC Motorsport's roll bar seems to be a good option as well.

BR sold their mold a long time ago due to lack of interest. They don't make them anymore.

[bionicbelly]

JP bar should be about 600 cheaper than vac’s if you paint it yourself. Vac bar is really nice though.

Edit- it would be $800 cheaper. Also, it appears you would still have to drill into the floorpan with the VAC bar, but I am just going by the pictures on their site. I have ZERO experience with either product.

[bionicbelly]

Got an e-mail from JP yesterday. Really hoping this happens.

[berns]

I know the idea of a bolt-in solution sounds appealing to you guys, but sacrifices will always be made in something shipped like that. Any good fab shop with roll cage experience can build you something better for the same or less. I'm having one built soon.

[bionicbelly]

I don't really know anyone around me that does this unfortunately.

Fortunately, Jens IS going to be making this bar available for the 1 series. He won't have time to start until march, but I will likely be dropping it off after the NASA NCM race.

[spxxx]

I run the Autopower bolt in, I have the contact info of the person who designed the BRRacing bolt in roll bar. I'm local to them and he stated that it would be ~$2k to create a new one... Kinda silly for a bolt in bar.

Let me know if anyone wants his info.

[mKilgore]

Definitely interested in this bolt-in cage. Also, doing google searches I found this one as another option...
http://www.agi-precision.com.au/prod...half-cage-4pt/.
They are out of Australia

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by berns

I know the idea of a bolt-in solution sounds appealing to you guys, but sacrifices will always be made in something shipped like that. Any good fab shop with roll cage experience can build you something better for the same or less. I'm having one built soon.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a properly designed and installed bolt-in roll bar.

Looks at numerous Miata rollovers using the Hard Dog bar in a chassis designed in the 80s and it doesn't have the advantage of any structure above the doors (like a Coupe does).

[bionicbelly]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a properly designed and installed bolt-in roll bar.

Looks at numerous Miata rollovers using the Hard Dog bar in a chassis designed in the 80s and it doesn't have the advantage of any structure above the doors (like a Coupe does).

Yeah, this is bolted to three structural areas of the car. Two of them are attachment points for braces or seats. So much better than sandwiching the floor pan between two plates. I have every confidence in this bar. (And the price should be ~800 less than the other shop bar. More than autopower, but it is also a much better bar.

[berns]

Dropping my car off to start the rear roll bar today. It will be 3D scanned and offered as a bolt in solution soon. I'll keep you guys updated.

[mKilgore]

excited to see how this turns out!

[bionicbelly]

Originally Posted by mKilgore

Definitely interested in this bolt-in cage. Also, doing google searches I found this one as another option...
http://www.agi-precision.com.au/prod...half-cage-4pt/.
They are out of Australia

That looks kinda like the autopower bar. I am not a huge fan. Those are mounted to the floor pan. Basically, a plate - sheetmetal - plate sandwich. It has been used for decades, and it is normally fine, but there is a better way I think. The bar that Jens is going to make bolts to the floor pan cross member, the door sill/seat mount support and the interior body frame. Some of the strongest, most rigid points on the car I would think. Granted, it will cost more.

[bionicbelly]

Originally Posted by berns

Dropping my car off to start the rear roll bar today. It will be 3D scanned and offered as a bolt in solution soon. I'll keep you guys updated.

I can't wait to see pictures! Any details? Connecting points, price, etc?

[berns]

Originally Posted by bionicbelly

I can't wait to see pictures! Any details? Connecting points, price, etc?

I'll get some more info and photos of the progress this week.
There will probably be 3 options all sharing the same main hoops and attachment points.

1) A simple, bare bones, roll / harness bar.
2) Same as above + a diagonal rear cross bar.
3) Same as above with a full rear X.

I'll be going with option 3, powdercoated in White.

[iminhell1]

Originally Posted by bionicbelly

I don't really know anyone around me that does this unfortunately.

Fortunately, Jens IS going to be making this bar available for the 1 series. He won't have time to start until march, but I will likely be dropping it off after the NASA NCM race.

There are so many tracks around you and I'll bet chassis mfgs, that all you really have to do is stop in at one of them and ask. There's what, half a dozen dirt tracks within 50 miles? Someone around builds parts.


If nothing else call up Racecraft and ask them.

[low135]

Has there been an E88 roll bar? I've done some looking but haven't seen anything

[ajsmithvmi]

I am 100% interested!

[Enoe Ulbeht]

Originally Posted by low135

Has there been an E88 roll bar? I've done some looking but haven't seen anything

I would be interested in one of those as well.