I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job?
 

The only problem, I mean ONLY problem I have against my car is the stiffness. I have a hardtop on my car that really strenghten the car. This car feels way stiffer than my friend's '94 Vette. But I still get a little flexing over a real bad driveway at my school. I want a real solid car and i'm will to do anything to the chassis. If I need swing out bars to have a stiff car I will do it. I don't care if I need to cut the decklid. I'm never selling this car. I'm really considering having a roll cage built even though i'm focus on school more than performance right now. I have fun just driving my car. But removing this problem would make it great.

I'm wondering how stiff can a roll cage actually get the car. I've seen a few nice cages on this forum but nobody really talks about a stiffer car. I just want to know if you approach an extremely steep driveway, does your car make a flexing noise?

Right now i'm leaning on the exotic muscle bar . http://exoticmuscle.com/vette/images/C6044.jpg

I'm willing to go this far. http://exoticmuscle.com/vette/images/C6050A.jpg

But if it doesn't totally eliminate my problem I won't bother.

Thanks. :cheers:


[Modified by Raysur, 5:35 PM 9/18/2003]

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

My harness bar from Arizona Speed and Marine, and my RD Racing Camber brace really stiffened my car up. :yesnod: Harness bar almost $600, and Camber brace for less than $200.

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (95AquaC4)
 

Mine really stiffined up with the Camber Brace and the Cross Bar. Now I have the S/T Frame Support (see right pic in sig) and I can recommend it highly!! :thumbs:
Its bolted in now, but can be weled in if you want. Check out the thread I posted when I got it for more info and pics. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=636509


Edit, just saw you have a vert. Dave at R-D Racing will have the vert version out soon.


[Modified by Gary96LT4, 8:15 PM 9/18/2003]

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

Totally up to you.
Good Luck
tony

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

Personally I would go with a custom bar.

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Mr Mojo)
 

:iagree:

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Ramrod92)
 

here's one for sale
http://digitalcorvettes.com/forums/s...7031#post27031

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

Whoa Jeff! You are not messing around :D
Try Reb's in Reseda. The Kardell brothers. Fantastic work. Link within link in my sig. See customer's cars. That's Gary's black C5.
I'm thinking a main hoop, 2 down braces in the hatch. Just a guess, but looks like most flexion would occur between the rear wheels and the firewall, so add a halo bar shaped so rear view mirror can still be used (visors flipped forward) and 2 down braces along the windshield to the sills. You could add swingouts later if still not satisfied. If mild steel, this will add a ton of weight. I have a 10 pt. mild steel in a corner of the garagehttp://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/89paulincal//rc.jpg. Decided not to use ms and go for much lighter chrome-moly. I almost made it to reb's shop today to sketch out the new cage/plan, but motor had issues half way there.
Also, you could consider using the X-brace under the car(or does yours have it already?).


[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 2:21 AM 9/19/2003]

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

I just had R-D Racing's S/T Frame Support installed, and it made a huge difference in chassis stiffness.

http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/80465/0.jpg

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (STL94LT1)
 

I built my own harness bar. It cost me $20 for materials and welded it myself. I used 2" Aluminum Tubing with 1/4" wall thickness. Two 1" square tubing with 1/8" wall thickness at about 8" long and 1/4" L-angle at about 4" Long to bolt to the roof storage points. If you would like to see it give me your e-mail adress and I will send you some pics.

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (89 Paul in Cal)
 

Thanks guys. I'm definately going to look into a custom job.:cheers:

Paul,
I'm real serious:yesnod:. If I have to seal my doors shut and go through the window i'm doing it. :yesnod: :D

What you described is exactly what I think I need. I feel that flex happens since the windshield has no reinforcement to the rear of the car. A top is some but not really structural. I would love to get bars running down the windshield pillar but I don't think it could clear my dash.

I have a x brace, camberbrace but no harness. I felt it was too much money. I never found the time to make one either. My car is noticeable stiffer compared to my friend's Vette and my brother's Vette. I want no creaks.

Do you guys running rollbars get any creaks? I want the car to feel dead solid. My test is the steep driveway at my school. Damn it's bad. :smash:


[Modified by Raysur, 4:15 PM 9/19/2003]

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

I've never posted a picture before so I don't know if it worked. If you're anywhere near Melrose T-Tops give them a call. they are serious racers and can answer your questions. The picture is of their most recent C-5 and cage. [IMG][/IMG] http://melroset-tops.com/IM000007.jpg

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (cwiehle)
 

[IMG]http://melroset-tops.com/IM000007.jpg[/IMG]

thats a helluva cage! :eek:

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (neverendingproject)
 

That's a real nice cage. I wonder how much. :eek:

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

If you end up not doing custom or full cage, Doug Rippie's site has a nice bar to put in the back, I've seen it in a few cars as well, looks very nice and fits perfect.

Good Luck :cheers:

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

I had a custom 6pt chromemoly bar fabbed for $800. To stop the flexing you really need forward tubes for triangulation. Main hoop goes to the rear frame where is comes up behind the seats, forward tubes down to the side frame rail, rear tubes to the frame at the differential mounts. And make sure it's welded to the frame with big steel plates to distribute the load. The front mount points are as far forward as possible while still enabling my 6' / 300lb self to get in/out; those more athletic could go closer to the firewall.

My car is immensely stiff even with no roof; and I roadrace it with pretty serious springs / shocks with no chassis flex. The rollcage solution works much better than any X-brace because it triagulates; plus doesn't sacrifice ground clearance, adds rolloever safety, and gives you a place to mount harnesses. You could always start with a 4pt EM or DRM bar and just have someone fab the forward downtubes.

Lots of pics and diagrams on my page if you're looking for ideas:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/gcr...r/rollbar.html

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/gcr.../main_left.jpg

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (gcrouse)
 

Raysur,

Have you considered Duct taping the doors closed? :lol: :D :D :D

Sorry I couldnt resist! By the way got my ZR1 tires and rims :)

mo

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

this is what you are looking http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=677 9&item=2432803942


[Modified by vetterestorer, 10:03 AM 9/21/2003]

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (vetterestorer)
 

gcrouse,
Great site:yesnod:. With a 6 point cage does your car still creak going up a steep driveway?

I'm gather a list of shops to get quotes. I'm definately leaning on a six point or a 8 point like the Corvette Challenge cars. Nothing less at this point.

Thanks for the link, i'm bookmarking your site :thumbs:


Mo_Bandy,
How do you like your wheels? It will really set off your car. Especially since your car has a great stance. Did you get a 17X11 for the rear? :cheers:

I've tried the tape since I closed up the gaps my car felt faster but only a little stiffer. I might go with a pvc roll cage next. :D

Re: I want a stiffer car should a buy a bolt in roll bar or do a custom job? (Raysur)
 

Hi Raysur,

I thought you'd enjoy the friendly sparing... :lol:

Have goodyear tires 9 1/2 in the front 11 in the rear 315 35 17's like yours with the ZR offset so the wheels are right at the lip of the fender

Check out my webite ( in my sig) under prior vettes I have pics there... the ride and traction are awesome.. the tires fill the wells being about 1 1/2 dropped...

Hope to see you at the car show soon...

Mo




[Modified by Mo_Bandy, 4:12 PM 9/21/2003]