Cage Options - 10 second car
Thread Starter
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,370
Likes: 7,078
From: CT
Cage Options - 10 second car
I'm thinking ahead on the Z and various projects. I need to upgrade the fuel system and will need to drop the tanks. Perfect time to install a cage if I need to bolt or weld.
My issue is that the car is going to be almost entirely a STREET car. Track only for fun once a year maybe, and to figure out how to launch it. I don't mind a cage, but in a street car I want my cake and to eat it too.... minimal impact on comfort, no or very little impact on rear view.
What are the best options available? I figure a 4-pt hoop with removable door arms is the ticket.
Also - what is needed should I change pulleys and end up in the 9s?
My issue is that the car is going to be almost entirely a STREET car. Track only for fun once a year maybe, and to figure out how to launch it. I don't mind a cage, but in a street car I want my cake and to eat it too.... minimal impact on comfort, no or very little impact on rear view.
What are the best options available? I figure a 4-pt hoop with removable door arms is the ticket.
Also - what is needed should I change pulleys and end up in the 9s?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 449
Likes: 158
From: Aiken, SC
Depending on how strict your local track is will determine what you can do. My local track will let most cars run into the 10s without a cage at all, but will immediately require some sort of cage the moment you see 9-anything. If you only plan to go once or twice a year, it may not be worth it at all. Find out what they let people get away with. A simple 4 point bolt in rollbar may be enough to get you by without getting booted
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 45
From: Enumclaw, WA
If they are a NHRA sanctioned track the rules are pretty strict. 11.49 roll bar. 10.99 roll cage. http://www.roadkill.com/wp-content/u...fety-Rules.pdf
1/8 mile track has more latitude.
1/8 mile track has more latitude.
Thread Starter
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,370
Likes: 7,078
From: CT
My buddy hit Lebanon Valley weekly, so I asked him and they are very strict except for track rental days where maybe you catch some leeway.
Sounds like it will be a cage. I may ask around locally. Used to be a friend-of-a-friend who did tight clearance cages - have to see if he's still at it. But first I'll get the car running!
Sounds like it will be a cage. I may ask around locally. Used to be a friend-of-a-friend who did tight clearance cages - have to see if he's still at it. But first I'll get the car running!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,171
Likes: 976
From: Think BEFORE hitting "Submit Reply"
http://www.racespecialtydesigns.com/...6&bestseller=Y
I have one of these in my car...good down to 10.0/135mph...
I have one of these in my car...good down to 10.0/135mph...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Hate to say it but you're not going to find that good of a balance for a primarily street car.
When I bought my car back in 2015 from the guy I sold it to in late 2010, he had added a Wolfe bolt in chromemoly cage, removable door bars, the works. It fit great, really tight to the interior of the car. But the upper hoop cross bar blocked a VERY large portion of what you can see via the rear view mirror. The door bar pieces that didn't come out, on the drivers side was a nuisance. The roll bar was put in for the car to run the Texas Mile in 2012. Wasn't necessary since, and it was one of the first things I removed when I got the car back because it's a street car first and foremost.
Unfortunately, if you have a strict track that enforces the rules, you're going to have to give up compromises if you want to play.
When I bought my car back in 2015 from the guy I sold it to in late 2010, he had added a Wolfe bolt in chromemoly cage, removable door bars, the works. It fit great, really tight to the interior of the car. But the upper hoop cross bar blocked a VERY large portion of what you can see via the rear view mirror. The door bar pieces that didn't come out, on the drivers side was a nuisance. The roll bar was put in for the car to run the Texas Mile in 2012. Wasn't necessary since, and it was one of the first things I removed when I got the car back because it's a street car first and foremost.
Unfortunately, if you have a strict track that enforces the rules, you're going to have to give up compromises if you want to play.
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,753
Likes: 587
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Running faster than 11.50, you’ll need a 5 point bar. That is a main hoop, two bars that go down in back, and a door bar. The door bar can be removable.
Wolfe and RPM(?) make bolt in bars that work. Intrusive is a relative thing. Some hate it, some live with it.
Running quicker than 10.0, you’ll need a full cage. That adds a halo that goes around the top and two bars that go down each A puller. Also both sides require a door bar. Those door bars can be removable. You will also need a window net.
Wolfe and RPM(?) make bolt in bars that work. Intrusive is a relative thing. Some hate it, some live with it.
Running quicker than 10.0, you’ll need a full cage. That adds a halo that goes around the top and two bars that go down each A puller. Also both sides require a door bar. Those door bars can be removable. You will also need a window net.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 45
From: Enumclaw, WA
Also quicker than 10.0 you need a NHRA competition license.
http://www.nhraracer.com/Files/LicenseRegulations.pdf
http://www.nhraracer.com/Files/LicenseRegulations.pdf
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 377
From: SW Ohio
I put a 6 point cage in my Cobra many years ago. I was damn excited the car was fast enough to require it, and thought is was the coolest thing ever for about a month. But I quickly realized NOBODY enjoyed the car but me, as it was a PITA to climb over the door bars. I can't even begin to imagine climbing into a vette with door bars - I am 6'00 / 200 lbs, and would probably need a shoe horn!
Anyway, I installed a door bar swing out kit that made life exponentially easier - but it's all fun and games until you lose grip of the bar and a chrome moly steel tube slams into your door panels. I would restrict the speed on my car before I ever put a cage in a street car again.
Here is what I installed and may help your situation.
https://www.jegs.com/p/Competition-E...52177/10002/-1
Anyway, I installed a door bar swing out kit that made life exponentially easier - but it's all fun and games until you lose grip of the bar and a chrome moly steel tube slams into your door panels. I would restrict the speed on my car before I ever put a cage in a street car again.
Here is what I installed and may help your situation.
https://www.jegs.com/p/Competition-E...52177/10002/-1