rollbars..
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
rollbars..
After seeing a few too many flipped C6s that end up utterly squashed, I'm on the hunt for a bolt-in C6 roll bar that wont require too much modification on the car. I'm not looking for tech-passing bars that will let me run 9s. I'm looking for a little insurance in case the worst case scenario occurs. I want a 2 point hoop or 4 point bar at the most. I figure a 2 pt going to the seat mounts (if it covers the seat it should save my head, i presume..) or a 4 pt going from the seat to the rear frame will be more than enough as a CYA...
Where would be the best place to source some decent priced bars/hoops?
Where would be the best place to source some decent priced bars/hoops?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
After seeing a few too many flipped C6s that end up utterly squashed, I'm on the hunt for a bolt-in C6 roll bar that wont require too much modification on the car. I'm not looking for tech-passing bars that will let me run 9s. I'm looking for a little insurance in case the worst case scenario occurs. I want a 2 point hoop or 4 point bar at the most. I figure a 2 pt going to the seat mounts (if it covers the seat it should save my head, i presume..) or a 4 pt going from the seat to the rear frame will be more than enough as a CYA...
Where would be the best place to source some decent priced bars/hoops?
Where would be the best place to source some decent priced bars/hoops?
Is yours a convertible? Or a coupe? The convertibles could use some extra protection. Autopower has a non-racing 4 point "street/sport bar." Technically it's a weld in piece, but it's possible to weld on some pads and us a bolt in mounting, if the design of the car allows it. I haven't looked that closely at the C6 to see how feasible a bolt in mount would be. There are a few other choices that come up in a search for "C6 Corvette Roll Bar." Some look good and others look more decorative than functional, and might be more dangerous.
One other thing, with a roll bar or roll cage, the car is pretty much "helmets only" after that. The odds of a severe head injury in a collision when your head smacks the bar are much higher than having a head injury without the bar present.
Last edited by C6_Racer_X; Apr 3, 2018 at 09:37 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Absolutely the case for a true full cage, but not a behind the seat 4pt roll bar. How in the world would you hit that?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
You've never been in a collision, have you? Things flex and stretch in ways you wouldn't expect. I was rear-ended in a 1990 Miata once, and my head hit (and bent) the soft top hoop behind the top of the seat. It looked impossible to me, but I had the bruises on my head, and the bent hoop to prove it happened. If I had had any kind of roll bar in that car, I would have had much worse injuries to my head and neck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
You've never been in a collision, have you? Things flex and stretch in ways you wouldn't expect. I was rear-ended in a 1990 Miata once, and my head hit (and bent) the soft top hoop behind the top of the seat. It looked impossible to me, but I had the bruises on my head, and the bent hoop to prove it happened. If I had had any kind of roll bar in that car, I would have had much worse injuries to my head and neck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
Thanks for the input. I guess something like that doesnt exist yet?
I think since the behind the seat hoop/bar wouldn't be near your head you'd be okay without a helmet. A lot of convertibles run similar hoops behind the seats and as long as its in line with the top of the headrest of the seat and is bolted to the same platform as the seat, it wont go over it.
Here are some pics of flipped C5/6/7s:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/07/...t-drive-drunk/
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZQPnuEBaH...e-Crash-C7.jpg
https://www.zeroto60times.com/wp-con...e-rollover.jpg
https://cbsdenver.files.wordpress.co...0&h=360&crop=1
https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/...ice/431394002/
The A pillar is definitely a weak spot on the corvette and I dont think I've seen one picture online where the A pillar has withstood a rollover... but the B pillar/"halo"/hoop is also pretty weak. Its not triangulated - its just a large hoop over the entire car, and its made of spot welded stamped steel instead of an actual single piece bar...
I think since the behind the seat hoop/bar wouldn't be near your head you'd be okay without a helmet. A lot of convertibles run similar hoops behind the seats and as long as its in line with the top of the headrest of the seat and is bolted to the same platform as the seat, it wont go over it.
Here are some pics of flipped C5/6/7s:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/07/...t-drive-drunk/
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZQPnuEBaH...e-Crash-C7.jpg
https://www.zeroto60times.com/wp-con...e-rollover.jpg
https://cbsdenver.files.wordpress.co...0&h=360&crop=1
https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/...ice/431394002/
The A pillar is definitely a weak spot on the corvette and I dont think I've seen one picture online where the A pillar has withstood a rollover... but the B pillar/"halo"/hoop is also pretty weak. Its not triangulated - its just a large hoop over the entire car, and its made of spot welded stamped steel instead of an actual single piece bar...
Last edited by Ahrmike; Apr 3, 2018 at 10:26 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,664
Likes: 388
From: Killeen Texas
theres these. but ive always assumed there mostly for show. i dont know.
http://rpmrollbar.com/c6-corvette-coupe/
http://rpmrollbar.com/c6-corvette-coupe/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 37
From: Torrance CA
After seeing a few too many flipped C6s that end up utterly squashed, I'm on the hunt for a bolt-in C6 roll bar that wont require too much modification on the car. I'm not looking for tech-passing bars that will let me run 9s. I'm looking for a little insurance in case the worst case scenario occurs. I want a 2 point hoop or 4 point bar at the most. I figure a 2 pt going to the seat mounts (if it covers the seat it should save my head, i presume..) or a 4 pt going from the seat to the rear frame will be more than enough as a CYA...
Where would be the best place to source some decent priced bars/hoops?
Where would be the best place to source some decent priced bars/hoops?
ive got an SCCA RPM rollbar, super easy install and looks really nice. Like new 1200$ lightweight Chromolly and has all the extras. It’s in the vidoe of my car I just took last week. My car is in the shop now being fully gutted and turning it into a racecar so no need for the roll bar. 310-357-3366 call or tex me . Dustin
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,831
Likes: 4
From: Vacaville Ca
St. Jude Donor '13
Bolt in Roll bar for C5-C6
We make a 4 pt, bolt in roll bar that a lot of the Road racing and Mile competitors like to use. We build it without door bars and with a diagonal road racing style bar inside the main hoop. It is well behind the seats and you could not hit it unless you were not harnessed in.
We get $1,150 for it plus shipping.
Give me a call,
Steve@RSD
(707) 365-0117
We get $1,150 for it plus shipping.
Give me a call,
Steve@RSD
(707) 365-0117
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
ive got an SCCA RPM rollbar, super easy install and looks really nice. Like new 1200$ lightweight Chromolly and has all the extras. It’s in the vidoe of my car I just took last week. My car is in the shop now being fully gutted and turning it into a racecar so no need for the roll bar. 310-357-3366 call or tex me . Dustin
https://youtu.be/lVZqsTbUHcY
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,822
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Thanks for the input. I guess something like that doesnt exist yet?
I think since the behind the seat hoop/bar wouldn't be near your head you'd be okay without a helmet. A lot of convertibles run similar hoops behind the seats and as long as its in line with the top of the headrest of the seat and is bolted to the same platform as the seat, it wont go over it.
Here are some pics of flipped C5/6/7s:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlsPNlGsTJU
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/07/...t-drive-drunk/
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZQPnuEBaH...e-Crash-C7.jpg
https://www.zeroto60times.com/wp-con...e-rollover.jpg
https://cbsdenver.files.wordpress.co...0&h=360&crop=1
https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/...ice/431394002/
The A pillar is definitely a weak spot on the corvette and I dont think I've seen one picture online where the A pillar has withstood a rollover... but the B pillar/"halo"/hoop is also pretty weak. Its not triangulated - its just a large hoop over the entire car, and its made of spot welded stamped steel instead of an actual single piece bar...
I think since the behind the seat hoop/bar wouldn't be near your head you'd be okay without a helmet. A lot of convertibles run similar hoops behind the seats and as long as its in line with the top of the headrest of the seat and is bolted to the same platform as the seat, it wont go over it.
Here are some pics of flipped C5/6/7s:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlsPNlGsTJU
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/07/...t-drive-drunk/
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZQPnuEBaH...e-Crash-C7.jpg
https://www.zeroto60times.com/wp-con...e-rollover.jpg
https://cbsdenver.files.wordpress.co...0&h=360&crop=1
https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/...ice/431394002/
The A pillar is definitely a weak spot on the corvette and I dont think I've seen one picture online where the A pillar has withstood a rollover... but the B pillar/"halo"/hoop is also pretty weak. Its not triangulated - its just a large hoop over the entire car, and its made of spot welded stamped steel instead of an actual single piece bar...
I witnessed the incident as it was happening since the car was directly in front of my student's car. It was about 4 ft to 6 ft drop onto the roof of the car.
I have seen more roll over pictures with the top like this than smashed down. As I said when you look close at the video before the tow truck operator started dragging it the Halo looked like this one and then it started bending backwards as the car was dragged onto the roll back.
However, the A pillar is the big story. Whether or not the halo holds up a roll bar will do squat since the A pillar will collapse bringing the roof into the passenger space hitting the front of the head, bending the chin towards the chest with the occupant's body weight shoving the head further in toward the chest as the body stretches out as it hangs in the lap belt. I also know the instructor that happened to in that car. His back and neck had some compression injuries after that incident. The car was totally stock and they were using the stock 3 point belts.
Bill
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
Thanks for the insight. Do you think a roll bar is worth doing at all in that case? I would not want a roll cage simply because of the inconvenience of daily driving it. My head comes pretty close to the roof as I enter/exit already.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 85
From: Sumter SC
Hawaii roll bar
There are enough race shops on most of the islands that you can get a welded in bar for a lot less than shipping. Check with the SCCA group on your island or even the drag racers know of good shops. For a quality 4 point bar with a diagonal brace should be around $500 installed. Ask the local racers for advise.