Wolfe Roll Bars (Bolt in)...Any track issues?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,518
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From: Valencia CA
Wolfe Roll Bars (Bolt in)...Any track issues?
Hey Guys....
Just curious for some input on the Wolfe roll cage setup (bolt in style)....mainly I'm concerned with track officials not allowing them in the faster 10 second cars. Is anyone having an issue here and any input on the product would be great as well. With a slightly larger engine soon to be installed (383 CID) I know this car will be dipping in the 10's even without overly impressive sixty foot times (1.6's - 1.7's) so I'm not destroying driveline components.....(NO fun
)
Any input would be certainly appreciated...
Thanks,
Tony M.
Just curious for some input on the Wolfe roll cage setup (bolt in style)....mainly I'm concerned with track officials not allowing them in the faster 10 second cars. Is anyone having an issue here and any input on the product would be great as well. With a slightly larger engine soon to be installed (383 CID) I know this car will be dipping in the 10's even without overly impressive sixty foot times (1.6's - 1.7's) so I'm not destroying driveline components.....(NO fun
) Any input would be certainly appreciated...
Thanks,
Tony M.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Central Jersey
Cruise-In II Veteran
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Hey Tony, try to find a chassis shop that can make you one.. Spend the extra money for a custom bar.. you get what you pay for.. 
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 7
From: Valencia CA
Originally Posted by CHRIS NJ C5
Hey Tony, try to find a chassis shop that can make you one.. Spend the extra money for a custom bar.. you get what you pay for..
Doesn't ANYONE have any input here???....Certainly some of you guys have been to the track with a Wolfe Bar set-up?????
(Chris...thanks for the input regardless)
Last edited by Tony Mamo; Jul 17, 2005 at 12:47 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 10
From: Macomb MI
The wolfe bar when installed properly meet the NHRA/IHRA specs to 10.00 and <135mph. A couple of guy local use them and dont seem to have an issue.
Now, you might want to pm Chris as they have done a lota bars that are more pleasing to the eye and I think they can fab/ship a DIY setup if your so inclined
.
Phil
Now, you might want to pm Chris as they have done a lota bars that are more pleasing to the eye and I think they can fab/ship a DIY setup if your so inclined
.Phil
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
I have a Wolfe bar and I think the fit and finish are pretty good. It is kinda of aggravating to install the main hoop. The bar completely bolts in using plates under the car. This will meet NHRA req's, if you weld the rear down bars to the main hoop and DO NOT get it powdercoated. A NHRA bar can only be painted. The only part I had when installing mine is that my car is tubbed 2.5" and I had to modify the rear plates slightly to not interfere with the tub. I have not yet been to the track since installing it. Also a custom bar can attach and weld to more secure mounting points. This makes for a stronger system. I would also recommend teh swing out or removable side bar.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 7
From: Valencia CA
Originally Posted by marlowchris
I have a Wolfe bar and I think the fit and finish are pretty good. It is kinda of aggravating to install the main hoop. The bar completely bolts in using plates under the car. This will meet NHRA req's, if you weld the rear down bars to the main hoop and DO NOT get it powdercoated. A NHRA bar can only be painted. The only part I had when installing mine is that my car is tubbed 2.5" and I had to modify the rear plates slightly to not interfere with the tub. I have not yet been to the track since installing it. Also a custom bar can attach and weld to more secure mounting points. This makes for a stronger system. I would also recommend teh swing out or removable side bar.
Anyone else with actual track experience with the "bolt in" Wolfe bars?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,060
Likes: 3
From: Dublin CA
I talked to MSI in Roseville, CA about putting a rollbar in my convertible. They told me that the bolt-in rollbars which allow the top to operate and clear the head, have a bend in them which is a built-in failure point. The bars without a bend (Wolfe) are too close to the head and add a head-injury hazard. Also, since you can punch through the floor with a 5lb sledge, MSI is skeptical that these bolt-in rollbars will withstand a 3300lb impact.
MSI recommended that I buy a coupe and swap the driveline for safety.
MSI recommended that I buy a coupe and swap the driveline for safety.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by blu00rdstr
I talked to MSI in Roseville, CA about putting a rollbar in my convertible. They told me that the bolt-in rollbars which allow the top to operate and clear the head, have a bend in them which is a built-in failure point. The bars without a bend (Wolfe) are too close to the head and add a head-injury hazard. Also, since you can punch through the floor with a 5lb sledge, MSI is skeptical that these bolt-in rollbars will withstand a 3300lb impact.
MSI recommended that I buy a coupe and swap the driveline for safety.
MSI recommended that I buy a coupe and swap the driveline for safety.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Merrimack NH
Well I have a wolfe bolt in that is powdercoated and I have had no problem teching in. I didnt see anything in the IHRA specs that would prohibit that, maybe NHRA is different. IHRA tracks are good from 11.49 to 10.00 with a roll bar so if youve been running in the 11's and expect to get into the 10's there shoudnt be any difference. Maybe NHRA is different. The things I needed that i didnt have was jacket,harness,fire extinguisher when i got below 11.49.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by BrentNY
Well I have a wolfe bolt in that is powdercoated and I have had no problem teching in. I didnt see anything in the IHRA specs that would prohibit that, maybe NHRA is different. IHRA tracks are good from 11.49 to 10.00 with a roll bar so if youve been running in the 11's and expect to get into the 10's there shoudnt be any difference. Maybe NHRA is different. The things I needed that i didnt have was jacket,harness,fire extinguisher when i got below 11.49.
The tech guys only looked in my car to see that it was there along with a harnes and fire jacket.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
CHeck with the technical regs of the race orgainzation that you wish to run with. NHRA, SCCA, NASA or who ever.
Even if you like to do it yourself it still may have to pass the race technical gurus.
Even if you like to do it yourself it still may have to pass the race technical gurus.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Can anyone with Wolfe bars tell me the difference between "swing out bars" and "removable bars"? I assume removable bars are bolted in and can be unbolted and removed, where swing out bars have a pin to pull to swing them out. But can you remove swing out bars for normal street use?
Also, is there anyone really tall using the ECS bars or Wolfe bars? I'm currently looking at the ECS and Wolfe 6 point roll bar. I really like the looks of the red bar on the ECS web site, but it looks like it is very close to your head, specially for someone like me that is 6'6" tall. I always have the seat all the way back and it is still a tight fit. I noticed that the Wolfe bars don't seem to bend forward half way up the main loop like the ECS bar does. It looks like you would have a lot more head room with the Wolf bars. Anyone got input on the head clearance of these two bars?
Also, is there anyone really tall using the ECS bars or Wolfe bars? I'm currently looking at the ECS and Wolfe 6 point roll bar. I really like the looks of the red bar on the ECS web site, but it looks like it is very close to your head, specially for someone like me that is 6'6" tall. I always have the seat all the way back and it is still a tight fit. I noticed that the Wolfe bars don't seem to bend forward half way up the main loop like the ECS bar does. It looks like you would have a lot more head room with the Wolf bars. Anyone got input on the head clearance of these two bars?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Merrimack NH
I can only tell you the removable drivers side bar has 2 pins that attach to the bar to easlily remove it. This way I dont dont have to climb over it when I'm not racing. For me anyway it's a pain in the *** to get in and out of.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
I know that on the Wolfe bar, the stub near the seat is longer with the swing out bar. Also head clearance is not a problem with the Wolfe. The car fits very tightly next to the headliner.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
I got a response back from Wolfe on the difference between the swing out and removable bars. Their response:
Also, does anyone have closeup photos of the Wolfe removable and swing out bars. Photos of the front and rear of the side bars would be great!
The Swing out has a pin at the top that you pull and the door bar will
swing out (like the door) to allow easier entry and exit. The removable
will just slid forward (once bolts or pins are removed) and off. It is
meant more for leaving out between races.
Yes, the swing outs can be removed with the removal of the bottom bolt
or pin.
4130 cromoly is required to be TIG welded.
swing out (like the door) to allow easier entry and exit. The removable
will just slid forward (once bolts or pins are removed) and off. It is
meant more for leaving out between races.
Yes, the swing outs can be removed with the removal of the bottom bolt
or pin.
4130 cromoly is required to be TIG welded.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 34,551
Likes: 505
From: Auburn Hills MI
I'm very happy with the fit and finish of my Wolf Bar. It is a very good fit, just a couple mils shy of the plastic over the rear of the coupe roof with no witness marks at all.
Alot of this has to do with the installer. RevXtreme installed this one and its a perfect fit.
I have swing outs and remove the bars when not using them. Good hint, do NOT use the easy exit function, it puts the seats back far enough you get caught on the bar and it hurts like a bitch.
I'm still waiting for my arm to heal from a month and a half ago catching it twice in 25 minutes.
Alot of this has to do with the installer. RevXtreme installed this one and its a perfect fit.
I have swing outs and remove the bars when not using them. Good hint, do NOT use the easy exit function, it puts the seats back far enough you get caught on the bar and it hurts like a bitch.
I'm still waiting for my arm to heal from a month and a half ago catching it twice in 25 minutes.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Originally Posted by NoOne
I'm very happy with the fit and finish of my Wolf Bar. It is a very good fit, just a couple mils shy of the plastic over the rear of the coupe roof with no witness marks at all.
Alot of this has to do with the installer. RevXtreme installed this one and its a perfect fit.
I have swing outs and remove the bars when not using them. Good hint, do NOT use the easy exit function, it puts the seats back far enough you get caught on the bar and it hurts like a bitch.
I'm still waiting for my arm to heal from a month and a half ago catching it twice in 25 minutes.
Alot of this has to do with the installer. RevXtreme installed this one and its a perfect fit.
I have swing outs and remove the bars when not using them. Good hint, do NOT use the easy exit function, it puts the seats back far enough you get caught on the bar and it hurts like a bitch.
I'm still waiting for my arm to heal from a month and a half ago catching it twice in 25 minutes.
That don't sound good. I'm 6'6" and my seat is always ALL the way back. Does the bars prevent the seat travel to the rear at all?