Rollbars again-sorry!

[The AJP Griff]

Whats the current options on rollbars for the griff?I know this has caused some diffrences of opinion in the past,but is there a make thats become recognised as the one to go for now,or is opinion still divided several ways?I'd love to know more about prices,pro's and cons etc,and any pics would be very greatfully received,cheers,Mike
I ought to add that this is for a road car i guess?

[steve-V8s]

This one was made by Caged and complies with MSA rule Q60, the diagonal can be removed for road use.

Edited by steve-V8s on Tuesday 18th September 21:43

[V8 GRF]

Jeffsy has some nice custom ones on his Griff. I've not got any pics but they do look good.

[LordGrover]

V8 GRF said:

Jeffsy has some nice custom ones on his Griff. I've not got any pics but they do look good.

I agree. It didn't cost as much as I'd expect for a custom job too - you can just about make it out here.

[D14 AYS]

Evening all,

A roll bar is something that I really feel I need to put on the car from a safety point of view as I like to drive the car with a bit of spirit. I have yet to see one that a) Doesn't encroach on my driving space. (6'2'') and B) Doesn't look awful. I think a lot more people would be in the market for one if it didn't look like a poorly stacked pile of scaffold tubes.

[The AJP Griff]

D14 AYS said:

I think a lot more people would be in the market for one if it didn't look like a poorly stacked pile of scaffold tubes.

This is how it is for me at the mo.I like the thought of the obvious safety point,but dont want to fit something that either looks out of place,or makes using the car less comfortable..What was the facory fitted one like?

[OscarT]

The factory fit one and most other after-market ones are mainly cosmetic - a roll bar can kill.

[Ballistic Banana]

Mike I have the same as Garrys see HERE




I havent covered mine yet but will at some point. The only concern with it is that if you are a 6ft + 'er you may have to keep pulling the Head rest up ( which are a pain as they are known to drop constantly) As not to bang your head on it if involved in a crash.

I think it sits in the car well not taking up to much room.

Oh its made by Shorty of Rollcenters company to FIA standards although you dont get a certificate for them. Tower View on the the north circular sell them.

BB

[mikeb]

I would have thought that it also makes the cabin much more noisey as well, even if you fill the tubes with sound deadening foam? Especially if you got any sort of transmission noise.

From a safety point of view I reckon that unless you're gonna wear a helmet then a roll bars going to do more damage than good...? especially in a rear ender.

MikeyB

[Uncle Fester]

Can a roll bar be any use if it's not as high as the top of my head?

I would like one, but I am 6' 4" tall. My head has to fit into the area where the bar goes in Steve's photo. If wear a crash helmet the roof has to come down.

Any bar would have to go below the riser hoop, not in front of it like that one. That's lower than my head, so it would be protection for a passenger and I would have to duck into the car in an accident. The car will always be primarily a road car.

I would like to fit a race harness as well, although it will probably be track days use only for the for the next couple of years. After that I will probably do the odd hill climb or sprint. Therefore whatever I fit should be suitable for that.

Can this be done within the competition regulations?

I am prepared to accept that if the car overturned this wouldn't be good.

Fester

[steve-V8s]

The bar is slightly further forward and slightly higher than the factory one to comply with the regs. For Mod Prod you need either a full cage or a drawing Q60 hoop. For Q60 you must be able to draw a line over the drivers helmet between the hoop and a “substantial mass” ( the engine ). Luckily I am not very tall and can do this by fitting a race seat close to the floor. If you are taller it probably is not doable unless you have a full cage. For road use I was quite happy with the factory one, and yes they do transfer noise to the cabin.

[V8 GRF]

D14 AYS said:

Evening all,

A roll bar is something that I really feel I need to put on the car from a safety point of view as I like to drive the car with a bit of spirit. I have yet to see one that a) Doesn't encroach on my driving space. (6'2'') and B) Doesn't look awful. I think a lot more people would be in the market for one if it didn't look like a poorly stacked pile of scaffold tubes.

I would suggest that Jeffsy's would fit the bill there, I thought it looked good (and I don't like rollbars)
Anyone any decent pics? Jeffsy?

[Griff Bitch]

V8 GRF said:

D14 AYS said:

Evening all,

A roll bar is something that I really feel I need to put on the car from a safety point of view as I like to drive the car with a bit of spirit. I have yet to see one that a) Doesn't encroach on my driving space. (6'2'') and B) Doesn't look awful. I think a lot more people would be in the market for one if it didn't look like a poorly stacked pile of scaffold tubes.

I would suggest that Jeffsy's would fit the bill there, I thought it looked good (and I don't like rollbars)
Anyone any decent pics? Jeffsy?

Had a good look at Jeffsy's, it would be ok if I was driving it, I have the seat so far forward you could get a passenger on the shelf. Unfortunately Dean has to have the seat as far back as it goes, and Jeffsy's takes up a bit of room behind the seats. Dean's knees would be by his ears.

[V8 GRF]

Griff Bitch said:

Had a good look at Jeffsy's, it would be ok if I was driving it, I have the seat so far forward you could get a passenger on the shelf. Unfortunately Dean has to have the seat as far back as it goes, and Jeffsy's takes up a bit of room behind the seats. Dean's knees would be by his ears.

Jeffsy must be easily over 6' isn't he?

[Johno]

Barreti said:

Or even...

Ballistic Banana said:

I'm over 6ft 2 and I can drive Simon's car. I was very sceptical whether I could, but was happily surpsrised. Long term shopping list item.

Not going to cover it as it seems to make it more intrusive aesthetically than uncovered.

Edited by Johno on Thursday 20th September 09:40

[spend]

steve-V8s said:

For road use I was quite happy with the factory one, and yes they do transfer noise to the cabin.

Factory rollbar + aerosol foam filler = no noticeable noise increase, but much stiffer chassis IMHO.

Dave
Doused inside of bar with waxoyl first since folks have said foam filler in metal is not good long term (but I also did similar with front lower wishbones & they seem to be lasting OK)

[Zumbruk]

Uncle Fester said:

Can this be done within the competition regulations?

If you run in a road-going class, you don't need any rollover protection at all, or full harnesses.

[dumbfunk]

Lots of better photos on this page if anyone missed them

http://www.neilgarner.co.uk/gallery/category/Curre...


dumbfunk

[griffter]

The rollcentre (Tower View) bar allows 6 footers to sit in comfort, full seat adjustment and headroom. The problem is that to ahcieve this it does sit below the level of the top of (a six footer's) head. However it's not pointless - it still supports the car in a roll and prevents the car from lying flat on the bonnet/boot as the windscreen collapses. In short, it encroaches very little and is better than nothing. It ought to remain well out of the way of the driver's head in a rear-ender too.

[JonRB]

griffter said:

It ought to remain well out of the way of the driver's head in a rear-ender too.

As I understand it, that was part of Shorty's design right from the outset, as was not fouling the existing seatbelt mounting points and not reducing any seat travel.
As such it is perhaps a compromise, but I have only ever heard good things about it and Rollcentre's reputation is very good.

By contrast I have many times heard the factory roll bar referred to as "a bit of bent pipe".

Edited by JonRB on Friday 21st September 08:14