Convertible rollbar
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Convertible rollbar
Anyone have good pictures of a convertible with a roll bar. I would like to see how it looks. I guess I'll need one soon. What brand? Any problems with fit?
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
I wanted one at one time, but decided against it. IMO to get one that will meet NHRA rules, ruins the looks of the car. Not to mention the safety issues using it on the street. I ended up buying a used hardtop, and with that, the car is treated as a coupe.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
The only way to get a legal rollbar is to have a custom fabricator do it. I haven't seen a bolt in or prefab that would be legal(I'm sure there is one out there).
You'd have to cut part of the rear deck to get the rear down tubes at the proper angle.
You'd have to cut part of the rear deck to get the rear down tubes at the proper angle.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Go to the link below, There's more pics there too... 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...2&goto=newpost
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...2&goto=newpost
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I don't think either of the two are NHRA legal. I know there has to be a certain angle for the rear down bars.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
Exotic Muscle makes a 5-point w/diagonal brace...friend I know put one in his car.
http://www.exoticmuscle.com/webpage....&CATSEL=SAFETY Item is #C6044.
He made his diagonal removable for street driving. Cut it and put a collar clamp on it. I've also seen some people put an inner sleeve inside the tube, weld it and then slip it on.
Since they make theirs one-off when ordered, you might want to ask Merle (?) if they can make the diagonal removable for you...
http://www.exoticmuscle.com/webpage....&CATSEL=SAFETY Item is #C6044.
He made his diagonal removable for street driving. Cut it and put a collar clamp on it. I've also seen some people put an inner sleeve inside the tube, weld it and then slip it on.
Since they make theirs one-off when ordered, you might want to ask Merle (?) if they can make the diagonal removable for you...
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Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Joe90
Exotic Muscle makes a 5-point w/diagonal brace...friend I know put one in his car.
http://www.exoticmuscle.com/webpage....&CATSEL=SAFETY
He made his diagonal removable for street driving. Cut it and put a collar clamp on it. I've also seen some people put an inner sleeve inside the tube, weld it and then slip it on.
Since they make theirs one-off when ordered, you might want to ask Merle (?) if they can make the diagonal removable for you...
http://www.exoticmuscle.com/webpage....&CATSEL=SAFETY
He made his diagonal removable for street driving. Cut it and put a collar clamp on it. I've also seen some people put an inner sleeve inside the tube, weld it and then slip it on.
Since they make theirs one-off when ordered, you might want to ask Merle (?) if they can make the diagonal removable for you...
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
Most make the sidebar removable, that isn't the problem, the problem is with the rear down tubes being at a certain angle. The convertible deck lid gets in teh way and needs to be modified.
It isn't a diagonal door brace....the upright braces looks a lot like Mos90's...
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Joe90
Theirs has a diagonal brace, going from the center of the hoop to the passenger's footwell...
It isn't a diagonal door brace....the upright braces looks a lot like Mos90's...
It isn't a diagonal door brace....the upright braces looks a lot like Mos90's...
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
Here are pics of my rollbar in the '87 roadster. Just took them with the top up from the inside. You can not really see any of it from the outside with the top up.
Here is some detail on the seatbelt mount area.
And a detail shot when I pulled back the decorative plastic cover.
I hope this helps,
Aaron
Here is some detail on the seatbelt mount area.
And a detail shot when I pulled back the decorative plastic cover.
I hope this helps,
Aaron
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 1
From: Chesapeake Va
NHRA legal
We've done a few roll bars for C4s and C5s. We also do alot of drag racing chassis building, work, 4-link set-up, etc. The ones pictured here are NOT NHRA legal. Yes, they may pass some tracks tech inspection, but that doesnt mean they are NHRA legal. First problem I see is they dont extend to the floor. The ones pictured that attach to the top of the hump are NOT legal. The terminology used is "encapsulate". That doesnt mean that some tracks wont let you run them, so dont attack. There is, as MOJO stated some angle requirement of the rear bars but I cant find it in the rulebook. The intersect point of the rear support bars to the main hoop must be no more than 5 inches from the top of the hoop. Also, rule book states any vert running 10.99 or quicker, or in excess of 135 requires roll CAGE. No vert picks but see some coupe ones at www.hpracecraft.com. This is NOT an attempt to promote my biz. There's the disclaimer
PS MOS90 is also correct in that you only need a door bar on the drivers side AS LONG AS you're not breaking 11.00 or 135 MPH, then you need a cage
PS MOS90 is also correct in that you only need a door bar on the drivers side AS LONG AS you're not breaking 11.00 or 135 MPH, then you need a cage
Last edited by edcmat-l1; Oct 9, 2006 at 06:19 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
edcmat,
I totally get what you are saying about the main hoop attaching to the "hump".
You mentioned having done C4's.
I'm doing mine right now.
How did you mount the main hoop? As we know, our C4's don't have a frame under the "hump" OR the floor. Not 100% sure what to do there.
Thanx for any advice or help
I totally get what you are saying about the main hoop attaching to the "hump".
You mentioned having done C4's.
I'm doing mine right now.
How did you mount the main hoop? As we know, our C4's don't have a frame under the "hump" OR the floor. Not 100% sure what to do there.
Thanx for any advice or help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 1
From: Chesapeake Va
Originally Posted by 89 Paul in Cal
edcmat,
I totally get what you are saying about the main hoop attaching to the "hump".
You mentioned having done C4's.
I'm doing mine right now.
How did you mount the main hoop? As we know, our C4's don't have a frame under the "hump" OR the floor. Not 100% sure what to do there.
Thanx for any advice or help
I totally get what you are saying about the main hoop attaching to the "hump".
You mentioned having done C4's.
I'm doing mine right now.
How did you mount the main hoop? As we know, our C4's don't have a frame under the "hump" OR the floor. Not 100% sure what to do there.
Thanx for any advice or help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 1
From: Chesapeake Va
Thats a nice looking bar BRUCE. BUT, the mounting point of the main hoop is an issue. It needs to go to the floor. Our local NHRA tech rep, who has been to my shop to cert cars more than once, has made it clear to us the lowest point must be lower than your butt. Also, the rule book states specifically that the half tube "cup" that the swing out rests in needs to be attached to the main hoop on the INSIDE so the door bar rests in it in its normal position. It looks to me that yours is welded to the swing out bar which is incorrect. Thats not an opinion, its in the NHRA rulebook.
PS Roll bars dont need to be certified, just pass tech. If your not running a 1/4 mile track you can get away with running more questionable stuff. What may pass at a small 1/8 mi track may be thrown out a 1/4 track if it looks like you may end up achieving a substantial ET or MPH. I personally have shown up and ran a 10 sec 1/4 in shorts and a t-shirt ONCE, then they told me to get a fire jacket and jeans, I was done for the day, DOHH!!
PS Roll bars dont need to be certified, just pass tech. If your not running a 1/4 mile track you can get away with running more questionable stuff. What may pass at a small 1/8 mi track may be thrown out a 1/4 track if it looks like you may end up achieving a substantial ET or MPH. I personally have shown up and ran a 10 sec 1/4 in shorts and a t-shirt ONCE, then they told me to get a fire jacket and jeans, I was done for the day, DOHH!!
