Bolt-in Roll Cage Suppliers?

[Ragnorak]

Hey all,

Redoing a lot of my build for this year and am looking into suppliers for bolt-in roll bars in the 318ti. I'm 6'4", so I need some rear seat clearance, but wondered if anyone still supplies these or if you guys have any recommendations for having one fabbed up in the northeast.

Needs horizontal bracing for 4-pt harnesses and I'd prefer a bolt-in so I can powdercoat it. Really just want something simple and effective. I need it to be able to run sub 11.50s at most 1320 tracks around here without getting kicked out.

I appreciate any feedback!

[whitecord]

i think mine is made by a german company called matter. I think it came from tckline. (not sure it has been in the car for many years)

what are you doing that you will be running sub 11.5s?

[Ragnorak]

Originally Posted by whitecord

i think mine is made by a german company called matter. I think it came from tckline. (not sure it has been in the car for many years)

what are you doing that you will be running sub 11.5s?

I have to call TC Kline, hopefully they still sell these.

Less weight, sticky tires, and more power You probably have a jist from my IG. My traps from last season alone were good for 11s with the stock internal S54.

[1996 328ti]

TC Kline no longer sell them.

[Ragnorak]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

TC Kline no longer sell them.

Called them up and yep, they don't anymore. However, Bimmer Haus out of CO apparently does for ~$925 shipped to NJ. A bit pricey, I may be able to get one fabbed locally for cheaper.

[1996 328ti]

TC's was nice since it had the removable bar but I wonder how many people actually removed it.

Personally I'd go with a local trusted fabricator but plenty of people use Kirkey.
Don't know if it would be a sedan or coupe design.

[whitecord]

Mine crossbar has been out since i painted it. It nice being able to use the back seat.

[pdxmotorhead]

The bolt in cages have started dropping off the market since they made them illegal and not grandfathered in SCCA for road racing. Some of the drag groups have also limited their use.

Cost for a good 6point is north of 2000 bucks average now.

[Ragnorak]

Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead

The bolt in cages have started dropping off the market since they made them illegal and not grandfathered in SCCA for road racing. Some of the drag groups have also limited their use.

Cost for a good 6point is north of 2000 bucks average now.

They're still selling a ton in the E46 and E92 world. Most people aren't using roll bars for track use, it's a street-aesthetics thing. Personally, I want it for some peace of mind and for tech inspection at the strip.

I don't have anything behind me in the car besides sheet metal, tail light wires, and fuel tanks

[1996 328ti]

If money was no object, I'd rather have a cage than a roll bar.
Chances of a front end collision are greater than a roll over at the tracks I go to.

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

I used a bolt in cage with removable cross bar. The cross bar is the only bolt item now since I reinforced and welded all places the bolt frame would connect. I only use the cross bar at the drag strip to tech is happy

[pdxmotorhead]

Jumping on the soapbox for a minute..

I've been around racing a long time, spent most of my weekends at one track or another for about 30 years. Road race, Dirt Oval, Hard oval, drag. I've built over 20 race cars. I Support that many more for friends etc..

Bolt in cages DON'T hold up in real crashes, I've hauled enough drivers out of bent racecars to see a pretty good sample. If your going over 100 you need a 6 point welded DOM tubing cage. Or make sure you have a good life insurance poiicy. If your higher than that you need a FIA spec cage.

Roll cages in street cars are dangerous, you need a helmet to protect you from the cage. The factory 3 point harnesses allow a lot of movement in a wreck, its why they need air bags in cars. The factory seats wont contain you and you'll hit the cage, with your arms, legs head whatever and the cage wins. (Personally attended two funerals because of this.. )

Safety systems are a package, you need all or none in between gets people hurt badly.
A single roll bar is an exception if installed correctly. Its usually put in far enough back to protect in a rollover but not be where the occupants can hit it..

A full race quality cage will start at about $2200, and $3500 is about average for a hand built 6 point with all the gussets and attachments needed for a safe race car. The last 8 point I helped on required almost $2200 in TUBING without labor.

Ok.. Jumping off the soapbox and putting the keg of beer back on it, you may continue with our regularly scheduled programming...

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead

Jumping on the soapbox for a minute..

I've been around racing a long time, spent most of my weekends at one track or another for about 30 years. Road race, Dirt Oval, Hard oval, drag. I've built over 20 race cars. I Support that many more for friends etc..

Bolt in cages DON'T hold up in real crashes, I've hauled enough drivers out of bent racecars to see a pretty good sample. If your going over 100 you need a 6 point welded DOM tubing cage. Or make sure you have a good life insurance poiicy. If your higher than that you need a FIA spec cage.

Roll cages in street cars are dangerous, you need a helmet to protect you from the cage. The factory 3 point harnesses allow a lot of movement in a wreck, its why they need air bags in cars. The factory seats wont contain you and you'll hit the cage, with your arms, legs head whatever and the cage wins. (Personally attended two funerals because of this.. )

Safety systems are a package, you need all or none in between gets people hurt badly.
A single roll bar is an exception if installed correctly. Its usually put in far enough back to protect in a rollover but not be where the occupants can hit it..

A full race quality cage will start at about $2200, and $3500 is about average for a hand built 6 point with all the gussets and attachments needed for a safe race car. The last 8 point I helped on required almost $2200 in TUBING without labor.

Ok.. Jumping off the soapbox and putting the keg of beer back on it, you may continue with our regularly scheduled programming...

Quick question. I have a DOM cage on a street car and you are 100% correct about the cage becoming a deadly device without at least a helmet. Obviously I don't dive on the street with a helmet so I have very thick nerf padding on the cage. I worry since my children ride in the back where they could hit the cage nerf, as for me the cage is behind me and I have race buckets and always wear restraints since I know from experience how you can bounce all over the car, out windows, etc. if not strapped in.

Question is do you have any experience with roll cage nerf and will it lesson the danger of impacting during a crash.

I would never recover if one of my boys got killed by a stupid mistake I made with safety setup

Thanks for any knowledge you can share, John S

[uberklasse]

I have been doing a lot of research as well as lurking on forum for some time.

I am looking at a couple of autopower cages for 2 of my cars and am working out a deal with the owner. If anyone is interested, I can pass along savings and potentially do a group deal.

I am awaiting approval from NASA but believe it will not be a problem.

thanks,
Jason

[Ragnorak]

Originally Posted by uberklasse

I have been doing a lot of research as well as lurking on forum for some time.

I am looking at a couple of autopower cages for 2 of my cars and am working out a deal with the owner. If anyone is interested, I can pass along savings and potentially do a group deal.

I am awaiting approval from NASA but believe it will not be a problem.

thanks,
Jason

Any pics or links to other cages they've built?