Here's an update about that performance shop. Jim Pierce is the owner and I've had a phone conversation and am having an ongoing email conversation with him.

Unfortunately, he doesn't believe that a roll bar that can be done to fit in the convertible c6 to work with the power top is not possible. He says that a roll over in that one-off project is not something that he would trust his own life to. Something about the height of the bar not being high enough.

He's pretty busy now and won't be able to take any new jobs until about late May/ early June. I'm going to bring my car in then to talk about the possibility of a removable cage. He believes he can build a cage that can be put on when the top is down and then later removed for everyday street driving which would still alow the use of the power top.

I'll probably update again once I've gone in to get the estimate done at the end of this month.

 

You might want to ask him about telescoping verticals.
They could certainly be made strong enough, and could be lowered for "normal" driving,
then raised for "track" driving.

 

Would any sanctioning bodies certify them? I don't have a vert, but just wondering.

San

 

I'll make sure to ask about this and any questions related to any possible compromised safety.

 

The following is my opinion based on hard earned experience, feel free to ignore it.

The primary function of a roll cage is to protect the occupants, not be stylish or convenient. You will save time and money (and maybe your life) by finding an EXPERIENCED fabricator who has built SCCA spec cages.

SCCA rules (and most other road racing organizations, since they generally emulate what the SCCA does in regards to safety) are going to require something significantly more than a main hoop and rear supports in order to run at speed on a road course in a convertible. Cross-bracing is required either in the main hoop or between the rear supports to be considered "legal." You will also need to make certain that everything is mandrel bent and that the tubing meets the specifications.

The rules are not there to take away your enjoyment, they are there to protect you should a catastrophe happen. Trying to circumvent rules just jeopardizes your own safety.

Here are some pics of what an SCCA cage looks like so you can get an idea what is required to be "legal."



The third upper door bar is not required, but I prefer to keep concrete barriers and other cars outside the car if the worse case happens. I have seen hinged bars that make ingress and egress easier, however, they don't meet SCCA spec, (Although some groups will allow them for an HPDE.)



Diagonal braces are required either in the main hoop or across the rear supports as shown.



Most of you are going to look at this cage and think it is completely overkill. My questions to you would be:

1. How fast do you drive your car on the track?

2. Do you think your air bags or composite door skin is going to protect you from the concrete barrier that you are sliding towards at 120 mph?

You may get away with only a hoop at an HPDE, depending on who is running it, but don't think that you are making your car significantly "safer" by adding only a hoop.

Physics is a bitch.

 

I only want to run at my local drag strip, so my roll bar interest is strictly for NHRA competition. For stock cars coupes only need a rool bar if they run 11.49 or faster, but verts need it at 13.49 or faster. With that in mind, does anyone know if a hard top like this one http://www.smoothline.com/corvette_c6.php would allow me to run as long as I don't break 11.50?

 

I don't think that is overkill at all. I have a healthy insurance policy for my kids, but I'm sure they'd appreciate me sticking around for awhile. I've seen your pics before and that is a very nice cage you have there, as well as a very nice car.

San

 

You are smart on two counts:

1. Having a healthy insurance policy.

2. Recognizing that your kids would rather have you than the money.

I have crashed my car at speed during a class. It was not fun and was very expensive in many ways. However, my car was properly equipped with cage, harness and racing seats. I walked away as did my passenger.

Bad stuff happens and it doesn't always happen to the other guy.

 

They'd probably prefer me AND the money, but they know I'm tight and have a vehicle addiction. I love the over the top green.

San

 

Tzzird, Thanks for the up-date . If you can PM mewhen you get additional information ... From the information I have heard it can"t be done with the top up. I am sure someone will come up with something !!!!!

 

Ok, I went to the guy's shop today in Torrance I talked to him. Jim is a true enthusiast and I am excited about the removable four point that he is going to install in my car. I'll be dropping off the car next Saturday and picking it up about a week afterwards. Will update with pictures and impressions once I get it back.

I mentioned this earlier in the thread, but it won't hurt to mention it again: He doesn't believe it is possible to design a roll bar within the constraints of a c6 convertible top that will allow the two to work in harmony while providing the protection you need for a rollover. This is why we're going with a removable 4 point that will allow me to take it off for street use and put it back on whenever I go to the track.

 

I would think liability issues keep most vendors from offering convertible roll bars for street vettes.

In a rear end collision, the car and roll bar is driven forward hard while your body and head whip back and up. I imagine it would be like a baseball bat home run drive against the top of your melon.

 

Tzzird,

could you ask about the possibility of having a "telescoping" bar ?
You wouldn't have to actually remove it... just lower it down
for street driving, and raise it up for track ?

 

I am following your progress. I may do the same thing.

Charley

 

Tzzird,
it's been a while since we started this , have we made any progress? pics?

 

I'll mention it when I see him next. But like I said, his opinion is that it is impossible (though the word telescoping bar never came into the conversation).

Will keep this updated.

Dropping off the car this Saturday. He needs a week, so that's when I'll be able to share more. Thanks for keeping this thread alive though. It gets bumped down pretty fast so I have to use search sometimes.

 

Tzzird,
so what was the outcome ?

Pictures ???

Thanks

 

Here's an old thread from Tzzird with pics - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...n-c6-vert.html

 

Keith,
thanks.
Actually I was looking for his "write-up" which he said he was going to provide.
And pictures of how it is mounted to the car frame.