Roll cage to roll over bar

[Buffo]

Hello. I have recently bought a 1.4 Supersport. I am immensely pleased with the car, apart from one thing. It has been fitted with a roll cage which, as I found out yesterday, is very easy to bang my head against (hitting a pothole on a left hand corner was enough). I've been reading up on this forum and others on safety versus convenience. I think the best solution for me would be to have a roll bar instead of a roll cage. Either that, or move the horizontal struts (connecting the front and the rear loops) away from the centre.
 
I'm assuming that cutting out the horizontal struts and welding in new ones will compromise the strength of the cage - has anyone else ever looked into this or done it?
 
Alternatively, could I convert the existing roll cage into a roll bar by cutting out the extra bits and leaving just the roll bar element? Again, has anyone else ever looked into this or done it?
 
I know that this all sounds like a bit of a bodge, but I'd rather try to explore lower cost options before I have to buy a new roll bar to replace the existing cage.
 
Thanks! Matt

[DCL]

A roll cage without a helmet is a bad idea and I wouldn't contemplate altering a roll cage unless you are prepared to be the crash test dummy. Get a proper roll bar - they are of heavier construction and bigger diameter and designed to cope with less triangulation.

[edit] to add that selling you roll cage may be the best plan - you may even get enough to buy a new roll bar or swap with someone

Edited by DCL on Monday 8th September 11:50

[rort1]

have you considered a lower floor?

[BritishRacinGrin]

I too would be looking at seating position personally. The correct seating position combined with tight harnesses will keep your head away from the cage.

[Andy Bell]

im a lanky tw** and initially in a tillett my head was smacking the rollcage which had some hardened FIA compliant foam round it. Tried various things and found ultimately no seat position would work and had to go the route of foam seat and so glad i did it. I now sit in the car rather than on the car.