redtopz

I'm having a cage installed in my car next week and I can't figure out exactly what size bars I will need. Based on the NASA and scca rules it looks like if the car is over 3000 lbs race weight without driver and fuel then it would need 1.75 x 0.120 bars in dom steel or chrome moly. But if it is under 3000 lbs then you can use 1.75 x 0.095 bars. I think my car could go either way. For TTS or ST2 I will probably need to be around 3300 lbs with fuel and driver and I'm around 190. But for T1 you can run lighter. I want to keep my options open. What is the typical size bar that people are using for T1 and nasa cages? Thanks.

fatbillybob

The lowest T1 legal weight is 3180 and if using bbk +50lbs

So 120 wall 1.75" dom.

CHJ In Virginia

I would run the thicker wall tubing. That way you are legal for what ever series you want to run. The weight difference can't be that much, and I like the extra strength afforded by the thicker tubes.

AU N EGL

Lowest wt with you and fuel.

can never have enough protection.

davidfarmer

I can't remember if it was SCCA Pro, or another series, but they required the main hoop and forward tubes to be 0.120", but the door bars and extra bars could be .095". You are talking about increasing the weight 25% of the cage, so it can add up if you are building a cage with tons of x-members etc.

jaa1992

0Vector Vette

SCCA requires 1.75 x .120 for over 3000 pounds. If you don't use that, you won't be able to run SCCA. Even if you don't plan on running with them, you are limiting your resale value.

sperkins

Exactly. I never planned on running with SCCA, but I may have to since I can't keep up with the NASA SE boys.

Jaymz

I can't remember but isn't the weight of the car figured without the driver for the tech dept but with the driver for the class tech.

0Randy@DRM

No driver, no fuel is how I read it in the rule books. I have made mistakes so double check.

.120 is about 40-50 pounds heavier then .095 in the whole cage.

DRM has been building also everything out of .120 wall, over the past 6-9 years.

Randy

stairman

James you are correct, dry car for tech, and as raced for class

redtopz

Thanks everyone. This is what I really wanted to see. I will go with .120 wall. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't the only one doing it .

Jaymz

Redtop... it really depends on what class you are going to run.

If I were to build a T1 C5, which can't easily get down to 3180, I would use .095 chrome moly tubing.

But it all comes down to what class you are going to run and how close can you get the car to the class minumim weight.

redtopz

Good point and right now I just want to leave all my options open with this car. I'm starting out with nasa, which seems to require the heavier wall tubing. I think with a 120 wall cage I can run in any class although my cage will be about 30-40 lbs heavier than a 095 wall cage. Speaking with my cage builder, he says it should weigh around 200 lbs. Plus the fire system. So now I need to figure out how to remove about 200 lbs from my car to get back down to 3300 lbs for TTS/ST2. What I can think of right now are:

1. door windows and mechanisms
2. stereo system
3. air bags (steering wheel?)
4. air conditioning
5. carpet.

Not sure what that stuff will add up to. Any other suggestions?

0Randy@DRM

It's about a wash with weight. Add cage, take away everything else, and they seem to come out about the same weight

Randy

fatbillybob

Actually, my car always made weight and '04 Z16 with 120 wall, working electric windows, nascar driver's side,working A/C,stock exhaust w/o cats. Currently on SCCA scales we are all making min weight and one guy who ran BBK had to ADD ballast to make weight. One race I missed weight and was under 3180 so I have to be very careful with my end of race fuel load.

redtopz

So you are down to 3180 lbs or so with driver while keeping the side windows and A/C? That would be great. Ideally, I could get my car down to that weight and then just add ballast for TTS or ST2.

fatbillybob

Yes. I see you are in merced. We got one T1 guy from Hanford. Maybe you come join us in T1. We got a great group of guys running C5's. We had 7 c5's in T1 at BRP last weekend. They let me play and I'm the slowest in the group with most underdeveloped car so you don't have to worry about being a hotshoe. We have a really fun group and if you come play you'll have 7 new friends for life instantly. To top it off the fastest guy in our race wins a couple free Hoosier tires. That could be you. Think about it. Rollcage, SCCA weekend school, start racing!

redtopz

That sounds great. I didn't know you were part of the CA T1 group . Lots of great guys and drivers in that group. Very true about making friends at the track, that has been a big part of my enjoyment in this sport. I will definitely build the cage to meet T1 specs and keep my options open. Not sure if I have the time or skills to race with you guys yet, but maybe down the road. Thanks for your help.