Finally Started my Roll Bar Project ***PICS***

[95strokerPSU]

I bought a 6pt MM roll bar from a guy in jersey almost two years ago and I finally started to work on it. The bar is for a coupe and I need to make it fit into my vert, so I need to shorten the main hoop by at least 2". I'm also going to have a tonneau cover over the rear seat so the rear bars are going to need to attach to the main hoop at a lower point. I'm still unsure if I'm going to use the front side bars. The only way I'll use them is if I can make them easily removable. This bar IS NOT going to be NHRA legal. It's main purpose is for show and to pass tech inspection at tracks with loose standards.

So today I cut plates off of the main hoop....

I also cut the rear bars off which were a PITA to get through, here's why...

Here's the other reason, I did it all with a hacksaw...

So now I have the main hoop serperated...

I'm stopping here for today and probably won't pick the project up again until later this month. This week my K member should come in, so next weekend I'll be busy with that. I also need to line up a time with the guy that is going to help me bend the bars, weld, and paint it.

I'll update this thread as I make more progress.

 

[foxmustangman]

Sounds like fun. I'm going to be making one of my own this summer, so I can do some loose auto-xing.

 

[Robuilt]

very cool....thats a good quality piece.

keep us posted

 

[95strokerPSU]

I went up and saw the guy that's gonna cut, weld and paint my roll bar last Saturday, so I spent some time tonight grinding down the old welds gettin it ready

Hopefully the first weekend in June I'll take it up to him and get it all finished up.

 

[ProKiller]

looking good

 

[95strokerPSU]

I need some opinions. Should I just bolt it in or should I have it welded as well.

I'm only doing a 4pt and I'm mounting the rear bars lower than NHRA regs so that if I ever get my tonneau cover painted, it will fit with minor cutting.

So it’s not going to meet NHRA regs and its primary purpose is looks, followed closely by getting on tracks with loose tech inspection.

By not welding it, it’ll be easy to remove. Welding it in will make it a permanent part of the car.

Thoughts?

 

[Killercanary]

If you bolt it in, make sure you use the 6X6" plates so that it won't pull through the floor in the event of an accident. Given the option, I think I'd weld it in.

 

[Killercanary]

Also, instead of cutting 2" off of the hoop, I'd try and put a very slight bend in it right after the hoop passes the rear seat bottom. Bend it towards the rear of the car and when the roof is up it will match the side window line much better. Mine will be done this way as soon as I get my new seats and get it to the chassis shop.

 

[95strokerPSU]

Also, instead of cutting 2" off of the hoop, I'd try and put a very slight bend in it right after the hoop passes the rear seat bottom. Bend it towards the rear of the car and when the roof is up it will match the side window line much better. Mine will be done this way as soon as I get my new seats and get it to the chassis shop.

Yeah I had the main hoop in the car last week and noticed it looked a lot better leaning slightly to rear as opposed to straight up. I think I'll still have to cut an 1" off but I'll definitely lean it back a bit. I'm gonna try to be there as my guy is doing all the work so that it will come out exactly the way I want it.

 

[BlackVert]

I need some opinions. Should I just bolt it in or should I have it welded as well.

I'm only doing a 4pt and I'm mounting the rear bars lower than NHRA regs so that if I ever get my tonneau cover painted, it will fit with minor cutting.

So it’s not going to meet NHRA regs and its primary purpose is looks, followed closely by getting on tracks with loose tech inspection.

By not welding it, it’ll be easy to remove. Welding it in will make it a permanent part of the car.

Thoughts?

if it looks good, is easy to work around, and it is easy enough for back seat passengers to get in and out, then i'd say just weld it in.

will you still be able to get the rear quarter panels out? i need to do that one of these days because my speakers rattle

 

[95strokerPSU]

I decided I'm definitely bolting in the roll bar and not welding it in; at least not now. Spent some time yesterday sanding the old welds down and cut 1" off the main hoop. Here's some pics of how the main hoop will be angled.

I drilled the floor boards for the mounting plates and this week I'll bend(beat) them to conform to the floor. Next weekend I'll hopefully have the rear bars bent and have everything welded together. I'm going to the track on the 13th so it will probably get bolted in unpainted for the track and then I'll have it painted the following weekend.

I also finally found some tires for the wheels that have been the base of my entertainment center for the last 2 years...

 

[Venom351R]

Nice MT's NOW TAKE THEM TO THE TRACK