Roll cage

[V6ish]

This may be an old topic but I always find it helps to consult all PH's before taking a plunge.

I have to admit I am worried about the safety of my S if I was to have an accident. I have just been quoted £400 for a bolt in jobby from Tower view. £128 extra to powder coat or paint in your choice of colour. (I think I would paint it myself!)

With no strength in the windscreen surround as standard I would feel more comfortable.

Any thoughts?

Grant

[Barkychoc]

Do it.
Thats my biggest concern also with the S.
Useful to know they are still available.

Edited by Barkychoc on Tuesday 27th November 17:20

[dougc]

Have a look at V8Smiths profile. He had his rollbar trimmed match the interior which hides it very well....

[Mr Plow]

I have recently purchased one from Tower View, yet to fit it though.

Comes with a template for the cutting of the holes, so hopefully shouldn't be too difficult. It came in Matt black as standard.

Just finishing off the rear brake disc conversion before starting the roll bar.

Edited by Mr Plow on Tuesday 27th November 18:08

[V6ish]

Mr Plow said:

I have recently purchased one from Tower View, yet to fit it though.

Comes with a template for the cutting of the holes, so hopefully shouldn't be too difficult. It came in Matt black as standard.

Just finishing off the rear brake disc conversion before starting the roll bar.

Edited by Mr Plow on Tuesday 27th November 18:08

Please keep us updated with any progess, may just have to buy myself one for christmas!

[V8Smith]

I have a roll bar on my car and I am told by others that have S series that mine feels much more solid, so the roll cage probably stiffens up the chassis to eliminate some of the skuttle shake. Also I have trimmed mine to match the interior and IMHO now looks great and although I didnt like it at first (when it was just black) I now think it looks great and of course its unique.

Mike

[catretriever]

Mr Plow said:

I have recently purchased one from Tower View, yet to fit it though.

Comes with a template for the cutting of the holes, so hopefully shouldn't be too difficult. It came in Matt black as standard.

Just finishing off the rear brake disc conversion before starting the roll bar.

Edited by Mr Plow on Tuesday 27th November 18:08

Does it have mounts for 4-point harnesses?

[andrew mans]

sorry dont know how far north you are but there is a place in skipton which custom builds roll bars and is cheaper than tower racing il get the contact details & post them on the pistonheads

[Mr Plow]

catretriever said:

Mr Plow said:

I have recently purchased one from Tower View, yet to fit it though.

Comes with a template for the cutting of the holes, so hopefully shouldn't be too difficult. It came in Matt black as standard.

Just finishing off the rear brake disc conversion before starting the roll bar.

Edited by Mr Plow on Tuesday 27th November 18:08

Does it have mounts for 4-point harnesses?

Yes it does, which harenesses do I buy though?

[V6ish]

On this note has anyone ever had the twin hoop design cage on an S, I think it would look much better. A custom maker has just offered this as an option? What do you think?

[Longers]

After an "incident" in a friends Caterham I decided that I was going to fit 4 point harnesses and this meant fitting a roll bar first, but the S I have now already had these fitted (part of the reason I bought it rather than doing the work on my previous car)

V8Smith said:

I have a roll bar on my car and I am told by others that have S series that mine feels much more solid, so the roll cage probably stiffens up the chassis to eliminate some of the skuttle shake.

After 6 months I still can't believe the difference between the old car without roll bar and the new car with roll bar! Car feels incredibly stiff now, much much better

Apart from being safer the harnesses make you feel part of the car and really improve your "feel" when driving.

When looking to get one fitted I contacted Tower View and thought what they had to offer was ok. I then spoke to Guglielmi Motorsport in Daventry and they recommended a company near them who would make a bespoke one (as fitted to mine in the pic). The tubing is of a much larger diameter than the Tower View one and also has an extra diagonal AND horizontal cross member. There are also a couple of hoops that bolt on top of the bar with the largest allen keys I've ever seen to provide 4 or 5 inches more protection if/when you wear a hemlet on track. Also the bar has an FIA stamp/certification so if it's good enough for Mad Max Moseley it's good enough for me

Ultimately my bar may be a bit OTT for your needs but it is superbly engineered.

Whichever option you go with fitting the thing correctly / securely is of utmost importance!!!!!

If fitting harnesses it might be worth trying to retain the old seat belts for convenience - if driving a mile or so to get fuel etc it can be a bit of a pain to put the harnesses on and off everytime. Also looking over your shoulder to reverse can be difficult if you have the harnesses correctly tightened!!

[Longers]

V6ish said:

On this note has anyone ever had the twin hoop design cage on an S, I think it would look much better. A custom maker has just offered this as an option? What do you think?

MIGHT provide sufficient protection but I expect a full width bar will be stronger, have the added benefit of tightening the chassis as mentioned above and mean that you can still use easily access the rear shelf for bags etc.

I know these have been discussed in the trackday forum. Might be worth searching / posting there for some more info, suppliers etc

[V6ish]

Once again Thanks for your input/help. I going to see a custom cage builder on saturday to discuss options.

Grant

[trackcar]

Longers said:

After an "incident" in a friends Caterham I decided that I was going to fit 4 point harnesses and this meant fitting a roll bar first, but the S I have now already had these fitted (part of the reason I bought it rather than doing the work on my previous car)

V8Smith said:

I have a roll bar on my car and I am told by others that have S series that mine feels much more solid, so the roll cage probably stiffens up the chassis to eliminate some of the skuttle shake.

After 6 months I still can't believe the difference between the old car without roll bar and the new car with roll bar! Car feels incredibly stiff now, much much better

Apart from being safer the harnesses make you feel part of the car and really improve your "feel" when driving.

When looking to get one fitted I contacted Tower View and thought what they had to offer was ok. I then spoke to Guglielmi Motorsport in Daventry and they recommended a company near them who would make a bespoke one (as fitted to mine in the pic). The tubing is of a much larger diameter than the Tower View one and also has an extra diagonal AND horizontal cross member. There are also a couple of hoops that bolt on top of the bar with the largest allen keys I've ever seen to provide 4 or 5 inches more protection if/when you wear a hemlet on track. Also the bar has an FIA stamp/certification so if it's good enough for Mad Max Moseley it's good enough for me

Ultimately my bar may be a bit OTT for your needs but it is superbly engineered.

Whichever option you go with fitting the thing correctly / securely is of utmost importance!!!!!

If fitting harnesses it might be worth trying to retain the old seat belts for convenience - if driving a mile or so to get fuel etc it can be a bit of a pain to put the harnesses on and off everytime. Also looking over your shoulder to reverse can be difficult if you have the harnesses correctly tightened!!

Is this the place in Daventry near Brian James Trailers? I forget their name now ..

[Longers]

trackcar said:

Is this the place in Daventry near Brian James Trailers? I forget their name now ..

Don't know their name, Gulgielmi's could tell you. Same company also welded up the exhaust on my car. Not dealt with them directly myself but am impressed with their work.