Chassis Bar vs. Harness Bar
03-13-2010, 07:37 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Chassis Bar vs. Harness Bar
I am getting the car ready for this season and am on the fence between the Pfadt chassis bar and a Sharkbar harness bar. These cars rarely go on their tops, but I know my luck. How structurally sound is the stock halo and how much does the chassis bar add? I don't like the inconvenience and look of the angled support bar on the chassis bar, but if it could save my life I'm fine with it.
Any input is appreciated.
Any input is appreciated.
Last edited by dfinke23; 03-14-2010 at 12:38 AM.
03-13-2010, 07:52 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
One of the guys I am friends with had a 600-615hp C5Z. He did an endo with it over the ditch on the outside of a turn...yep rear wheels right up over the front. All he had was a harness bar. No injuries. The car was totalled though. I will see if he will post any pictures or comment in this thread.
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03-13-2010, 08:04 PM
#3
Race Director
have seen some c6 rollovers they all looked like they came out good. but the one thing that makes the difference is the speed at what the rollover occurs.
i am sure some of the fellow racers that see more racing then i do can chime in.
i am sure some of the fellow racers that see more racing then i do can chime in.
03-13-2010, 11:17 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
I had a BK bar in the car to begin with, but I came across a good deal for a slightly used Pfadt Chassis bar that was already powdercoated for $700 shipped.
Install was not easy, but the fit was spot on!
You will give up 1.5" of passenger side legroom with the Pfadt unit ( not a bifg deal for me as it presented a great location to mount my Alpine PDX amplifier) and a touch of visability out of the back window view the rear view ..again 1.5" as the bar sits just below the Halo interior plastic interior panel.
I have not tested a C6 in roll over situation with and with-out so I can not attest to the strength of either, but at the speeds my car ( and most here on the forum) can get up to....I figured why not.
I don't ever "plan" on putting it shiney side down, but if I do...If I can walk away..there are always other cars.
Install was not easy, but the fit was spot on!
You will give up 1.5" of passenger side legroom with the Pfadt unit ( not a bifg deal for me as it presented a great location to mount my Alpine PDX amplifier) and a touch of visability out of the back window view the rear view ..again 1.5" as the bar sits just below the Halo interior plastic interior panel.
I have not tested a C6 in roll over situation with and with-out so I can not attest to the strength of either, but at the speeds my car ( and most here on the forum) can get up to....I figured why not.
I don't ever "plan" on putting it shiney side down, but if I do...If I can walk away..there are always other cars.
Last edited by bowtiguy; 03-13-2010 at 11:20 PM.
03-14-2010, 11:38 AM
#6
Melting Slicks
Besides roll over protection, don't forget body stiffening.
Here's one for sale.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...ening-bar.html
Here's one for sale.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...ening-bar.html
Pretty sure Dfinke23 is sporting a C6Z though.
03-14-2010, 11:39 PM
#7
CF Senior Member
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I started with the Brey-Krause harness bar and after about a year I removed the harness bar and had a custom fabricated roll bar installed. I don't regret getting the harness bar but in retrospect I could have gone right to the roll bar. It's a personal decision but I think there's no question for protection and rigidity a roll bar is the better choice.
03-15-2010, 09:22 AM
#8
Burning Brakes
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Harness bar save my life this weekend. Airbag deployed, but never got to me as my harness locked me in. I'm sure a rollbar is even better, but I'm fairly sure I wouldn't be reading the forums today if I didn't have that Harness installed.
03-15-2010, 09:52 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
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03-15-2010, 07:40 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
03-20-2010, 06:05 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
Did you see how bad your steering wheel was bent?
03-22-2010, 10:43 AM
#15
Former Vendor
Sorry to hear about the car, glad you are ok!!!Randy
03-22-2010, 02:06 PM
#16
Instructor
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What choices do we have for an SCCA legal 4-point roll bar? If you run TT with the SCCA, you can not use a hardbar, (I currently own one and it has served me well). I read that Chromoly wasn't SCCA legal, but have not been able to confirm. I do know that the SE Div of the SCCA intends to have a TT event at Rd ATL in May and a roll bar is a must. They seem to have stronger safety requirements than NASA. Any advice is appreciated. I like the one made by Pfadt, but it chromoly isn't allowed, then where do I look? Kirks?
03-22-2010, 02:31 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
03-22-2010, 03:08 PM
#19
Instructor
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I was talking with Tom Shuman at Rd Atl yesterday. Here is where you can find the rules. www.sccattse.org. Other questions can be addressed to www.atlantascca.org. You will need a full racing suit, shoes. In the SCCA, they have 4 levels of "Time Trials", PDX which is similar to HPDE1 and 2. Club trials. 3. TT events, (1st time Rd atl will have one in many many years) and finally Hill Climbs. This event should be May 22nd. They just finished one at CMP. I hope some of you will start to run both (SCCA and NASA). PM me and I will give you Tom's phone number.
03-22-2010, 03:24 PM
#20
Racer
