C6 Vert Rollbar options
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Las Vegas NV
C6 Vert Rollbar options
Alright fellas it doesnt seem like us vert guys have a lot of options when it comes to rollbars... well rollbars that will let us still use the power top when the bar is installed. Other than the Angel Wings Tech rollbar and the BPP rollbar for vert's, are there any other options out there that I havent seen? I'm not looking for a custom rollbar, just one that works with the power top and simple to install. If those are the only 2 options, so be it.
Thanks
Tamer
Thanks
Tamer
Race Director
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I have no knowledge of any commercially available rollbar for a vert, that meets the rule requirement for any form of racing that has specifications for rollbars. If meeting rules are not important, then pick anything you like.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
I have the BPP roll bar. It fits great and is easy to install. I believe it meets HPDE rules but I would check with them if that's why you're installing it. I think HOXXOH is referring to drag racing. It doesn't meet NHRA rules for sure. I only wanted it for piece of mind and I don't care about those rules.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
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From: Avon Indiana
St. Jude Donor '09
I just did an 05 that is NHRA legal. Problem is that a 6 point in a vert is still only legal to 11.50... I will say that usually you can go quicker without too much trouble from tracks. I think most of them don't know the rule differences for verts. I did not bolt it in. It is welded.
Last edited by stanger383; Oct 21, 2012 at 05:02 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Las Vegas NV
I have the BPP roll bar. It fits great and is easy to install. I believe it meets HPDE rules but I would check with them if that's why you're installing it. I think HOXXOH is referring to drag racing. It doesn't meet NHRA rules for sure. I only wanted it for piece of mind and I don't care about those rules.
Thanks for playing 20 questions...
Tamer
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From: Woodlands TX
OP: If you have not done so, I would post this thread in this section as well. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...roadracing-23/
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From: Las Vegas NV
OP: If you have not done so, I would post this thread in this section as well. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...roadracing-23/
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From: CONCORD NC
Pretty much every HPDE organization require the bar to be higher than your helmet by 2". I have not personally tried in a C6, but this was NOT possible in a C5. If you put the bar at the highest position physically possibly with the roof in place, it was NOT high enough.
there are a few organizations that allow convertible without rollbars, your best bet is to run with those groups
there are a few organizations that allow convertible without rollbars, your best bet is to run with those groups
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
I dont road race so I wouldnt notice any differnece in stiffness, or I havent in normal driving. The install is easy and smooth. The only thing to be aware of is the seat travel gets more limited. This is not a problem for me (I am 5'10") but I have some tall friends that complain as passengers.
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From: Las Vegas NV
I dont road race so I wouldnt notice any differnece in stiffness, or I havent in normal driving. The install is easy and smooth. The only thing to be aware of is the seat travel gets more limited. This is not a problem for me (I am 5'10") but I have some tall friends that complain as passengers.
Thanks again.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 605
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From: Rocky Mountains Colorado
Not certain if RPM (rpmrollbar.com) offers a roll bar for the Vert but on the latest Episode of Two Guys Garage (Episode #1112 - Marine Corp Vette Part 2) at the end of the program they feature the Evolution Series Racing Seats (procarbyscat.com) and a Roll Bar by RPM for the C6 Convertible.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
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From: The High Mountains of North Texas
I have the BPP. It was pretty darn easy to install. The only real challenge was that you have to cut the carpet to clear the bars, and there is no template, so it is a very tedious cut a little, lay it down, cut a little, lay it down . . .
Actually, some racing groups say two inches, OR, as high as it will go inside the top. The BPP certainly has less than an inch clearance.
MAYBE its stiffer, if it was, it wasn't especially noticeable.
And yes, the seats can no longer go all the way back. No problem for me at 5'10", but that is with the drivers seat as far back as it will go. Taller passengers can look uncomfortable.
I added some BCSI roll pad to the bar, maybe only half an inch thick on top, and the top still went up and down, though now it is CLOSE.
I also found I needed to cut off the extra length of bolt hanging down below, as I managed to whack one of them once. Like a large hammer stroke on the end of a hollow pipe. Wow that was loud
Actually, some racing groups say two inches, OR, as high as it will go inside the top. The BPP certainly has less than an inch clearance.
MAYBE its stiffer, if it was, it wasn't especially noticeable.
And yes, the seats can no longer go all the way back. No problem for me at 5'10", but that is with the drivers seat as far back as it will go. Taller passengers can look uncomfortable.
I added some BCSI roll pad to the bar, maybe only half an inch thick on top, and the top still went up and down, though now it is CLOSE.
I also found I needed to cut off the extra length of bolt hanging down below, as I managed to whack one of them once. Like a large hammer stroke on the end of a hollow pipe. Wow that was loud
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 605
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From: Rocky Mountains Colorado
Just got off the phone with RPM concerning the Roll Bar they offer for the C6 Convertible. Their roll bar is a 5 or 6 point system which is NHRA legal and is designed with the DIY guy in mind. Seat travel is not lost and the top will function without interferance from the Roll Bar. They will color match, or they offer a carbon fiber finish. I believe I will go with this roll bar system as it is NHRA legal with hip protection and removable swing-outs. I will update this post as I learn more about RPM's Roll Bar System for the C6 Convertible.
Last edited by jxhunte; Oct 22, 2012 at 04:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
Just got off the phone with RPM concerning the Roll Bar they offer for the C6 Convertible. Their roll bar is a 5 or 6 point system which is NHRA legal and is designed with the DIY guy in mind. Seat travel is not lost and the top will function without interferance from the Roll Bar. They will color match, or they offer a carbon fiber finish. I believe I will go with this roll bar system as it is NHRA legal with hip protection and removable swing-outs. I will update this post as I learn more about RPM's Roll Bar System for the C6 Convertible.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,067
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From: Houston Texas
For those who have installed the BPP I have a question, I am 6'4" and would only have the bar in on track days. My thought was to install permenant bolts on the floor behind the seats, maybe weld them in so the bolt is facing upward so I could slide it right in and bolt it down. Then cut and fold a small section of the carpet on the brace behind the seat so I can put it back when I take the bar out. This would allow me to quickly install and remove the bar for track days
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,820
Likes: 411
From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
For those who have installed the BPP I have a question, I am 6'4" and would only have the bar in on track days. My thought was to install permenant bolts on the floor behind the seats, maybe weld them in so the bolt is facing upward so I could slide it right in and bolt it down. Then cut and fold a small section of the carpet on the brace behind the seat so I can put it back when I take the bar out. This would allow me to quickly install and remove the bar for track days
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,067
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From: Houston Texas
From the install pictures I saw the waterfall just had two screws and a few tabs and should just take a couple minutes to remove. On the floor I would weld a metal base on the bottom (underneath the car) and have the two bolts go up and bolt them from the top.
I am concerned if I could fit, I don't sit with the seat all the way back but close, but when you road race you tend to move the seat up further and more upright. I appreciate your thoughts.
I am concerned if I could fit, I don't sit with the seat all the way back but close, but when you road race you tend to move the seat up further and more upright. I appreciate your thoughts.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Just got off the phone with RPM concerning the Roll Bar they offer for the C6 Convertible. Their roll bar is a 5 or 6 point system which is NHRA legal and is designed with the DIY guy in mind. Seat travel is not lost and the top will function without interferance from the Roll Bar. They will color match, or they offer a carbon fiber finish. I believe I will go with this roll bar system as it is NHRA legal with hip protection and removable swing-outs. I will update this post as I learn more about RPM's Roll Bar System for the C6 Convertible.
The NHRA rule is very explicit.
"All vehicles with OEM frame must have rollbar welded or bolted to frame"
It's pretty clear that C6's have a frame, therefore if any part of the rollbar is not directly attached by welding or bolting to the frame, it can't be NHRA legal.
There are those who claim their rollbar is NHRA legal, whose rollbars bolt through the floor or attach to the sheetmetal ridge at the front of the cargo floor. It's obvious in the photos of the Corvette rollbar on the rpmrollbar site that it does not attach to the frame.
It'd be interesting to see the wording in their guarantee they boldly proclaim on the rollbar page. It sounds like they know it's not legal, but count on tech guys not investigating, not caring, or not aware of the rules. Some tech guys would pass PVC pipe with just a quick glance, but that doesn't make it NHRA legal.
The extension kit to be legal to 8.50 ET would also require NHRA certification, which is a whole different level of inspection beyond the 10.00 rollbar requirement.