Rollbar conundrum - to TR Lane or not?
Discussion
Another bloody rollbar thread...
So, I'm on the cusp of clicking "Proceed to checkout" with some TR Lane kit but am having second-thoughts.
The prospective purchase is the TDD bar (track day rollbar with diagonal) and harness bar. Google's taken me to a plethora of threads on a number of forums, and I have two key concerns.
1) I don't see anyone who's fitted the above on a car with RS Ltd seats, but have seen some people raise concerns about bucket seats and restricted movement thereof after fitting this set-up. Has anyone on Nutz got RS Ltd wing-back seats and fitted a TR Lane rollbar? I'd welcome your thoughts.
2) Rollbar height, angles and spreader plates - there seem to be various schools of thought around whether or not the TR Lane designs are robust enough in what they offer in terms of an "over the top" moment. I have specific concerns that the mountings do not look particularly substantial, and that the spreader plates and bolts supplied will be prone to shearing off in the event that the car flips.
I'd particularly like to hear from regular trackday participants who have rollbars, from whatever manufacturers, with your thoughts and recommendations.
Cheers
So, I'm on the cusp of clicking "Proceed to checkout" with some TR Lane kit but am having second-thoughts.
The prospective purchase is the TDD bar (track day rollbar with diagonal) and harness bar. Google's taken me to a plethora of threads on a number of forums, and I have two key concerns.
1) I don't see anyone who's fitted the above on a car with RS Ltd seats, but have seen some people raise concerns about bucket seats and restricted movement thereof after fitting this set-up. Has anyone on Nutz got RS Ltd wing-back seats and fitted a TR Lane rollbar? I'd welcome your thoughts.
2) Rollbar height, angles and spreader plates - there seem to be various schools of thought around whether or not the TR Lane designs are robust enough in what they offer in terms of an "over the top" moment. I have specific concerns that the mountings do not look particularly substantial, and that the spreader plates and bolts supplied will be prone to shearing off in the event that the car flips.
I'd particularly like to hear from regular trackday participants who have rollbars, from whatever manufacturers, with your thoughts and recommendations.
Cheers
I do plenty of trackdays in my Mk1 and have the same rollbar as you are looking at - my car is currently fitted with a Sparco Sprint 5 seat so not a million miles away from what you have (fitment wise).
The front legs do stop the seat from its full travel. I did look to see if getting them moved further outboard would help, but it wouldn't. A half cage based on the full cage fitted to the Ma5da race cars (and fettled to fit under a hood) would solve the issue and I have looked into it myself but it would have worked out too expensive as a one-off.
The spreader plates are fine, but if you really wanted to there would be nothing stopping you from fitting larger ones under the car.
The only real criticism I have is that the rear stays could be mounted further back in my opinion. However, I think if you were to speak to Tim he would be happy to advise whether he can change this for you
The front legs do stop the seat from its full travel. I did look to see if getting them moved further outboard would help, but it wouldn't. A half cage based on the full cage fitted to the Ma5da race cars (and fettled to fit under a hood) would solve the issue and I have looked into it myself but it would have worked out too expensive as a one-off.
The spreader plates are fine, but if you really wanted to there would be nothing stopping you from fitting larger ones under the car.
The only real criticism I have is that the rear stays could be mounted further back in my opinion. However, I think if you were to speak to Tim he would be happy to advise whether he can change this for you
I really don't like the TR Lane bars. I can't quite put my finger on it, but they just don't look as beefy as a Hard Dog. I think it's because they don't extend as wide and the angle of the supporting legs looks too narrow. Unfortunately we're not spoilt with choice for a sensibly priced safety bar in the UK.
I'd have a decent hard dog in a minute if someone started selling them here are a decent price (read under £320).
I'd have a decent hard dog in a minute if someone started selling them here are a decent price (read under £320).
S Works said:
thanks for the views - you're WWWebs on SELOC too I presume? Don't suppose you have any pics of your install do you so I can have a look before I buy?
I don't have any at the moment and I'm off to Spa in the morning with LOT (in the Elise) but I'l try and sort something out on Sunday if that's ok
TVaRt said:
Im a design engineer and have just started designing a roll bar for the mx5. Might consider selling them after if there is anough interest. I am planning to proof load test the bar to 3-4G.
Not a plug but just want people to know what might be coming before they invest...
I'd post that on the MX5 forums, such as Nutz or Owners Club if I were you. They have alot more owners. I suspect you would get a very good level of response, as the prices are starting to creep up on the TR Lane bars.Not a plug but just want people to know what might be coming before they invest...
It's all very well designig a bar which can take pressure from various angles, my main concen re the ones that are currently for sale is how they mount to the car, and whether that's substantial enough to stop the bar ripping itself clean from it's mounts in the event of an 'over'. At the moment I'm not convinced that anyone other than the vendors of fully welded in cages can say their solution is. I doubt anyones tested theirs, although I'm happy to be told otherwise.
S Works said:
It's all very well designig a bar which can take pressure from various angles, my main concen re the ones that are currently for sale is how they mount to the car, and whether that's substantial enough to stop the bar ripping itself clean from it's mounts in the event of an 'over'. At the moment I'm not convinced that anyone other than the vendors of fully welded in cages can say their solution is. I doubt anyones tested theirs, although I'm happy to be told otherwise.
yeah i agree, im tempted to trial it in a doner shell (to destruction - i can proof load test to 500 tonnes)but in the end of the day you are never going to get a guarantee... not worth the risk if it failed!
Funny that i seem to have made exactly the same car moves as you! Elise to 350z to mx5!
As I'm sure your aware sworks, I bit the bullet and got a TR Lane bar.
Admittedly I have the same reservations as you towards the design, and it's certainly not upto a massive roll, but should be more than adequate for a slow roll in the gravel or on grass. I think the major problems are the shallow rear stays and yes the mounting plates which are small. Your only supplied with mounting plates for the rear legs, and not for the arguably more important main hoop legs.
I'm using slightly bigger backing plates which "should" beef it up a bit, as well as making ones for the main hoop legs.
If someone can design a proper roll bar that fits under a roll bar which is available in this country it will sell, even more so if it's been tested (even if to a small degree).
Admittedly I have the same reservations as you towards the design, and it's certainly not upto a massive roll, but should be more than adequate for a slow roll in the gravel or on grass. I think the major problems are the shallow rear stays and yes the mounting plates which are small. Your only supplied with mounting plates for the rear legs, and not for the arguably more important main hoop legs.
I'm using slightly bigger backing plates which "should" beef it up a bit, as well as making ones for the main hoop legs.
If someone can design a proper roll bar that fits under a roll bar which is available in this country it will sell, even more so if it's been tested (even if to a small degree).
I'm fitting my TR Lane bar over the weekend.
I have 0 mechanic skills but feel happy to give it a whirl. There are lots of threads and fitting guides on the internet, I don't think it's a struggle, just take your time.
Alternatively TR Lane can fit it for you, or any decent garage I imagine.
I have 0 mechanic skills but feel happy to give it a whirl. There are lots of threads and fitting guides on the internet, I don't think it's a struggle, just take your time.
Alternatively TR Lane can fit it for you, or any decent garage I imagine.
Mark will bosh it in no worries. I'm only doing it myself as I have next week off work, and I reckon it "could" be fun putting it in with a beers.
I ended up getting the GPD.
Basically went for that as I will be mounting buckets to the floor and I'm a short arse, so my head (even with a helmet on), is way under the line drawn from the engine to the top of the bar. Being lower than the TD ones, its probably a little stronger (maybe).
Not to include the strange fact, my iPhone had saved an older offline version of the TR Lane website with the old prices on
(for the GPD anyways).
So I got it for a Billy bargain
I ended up getting the GPD.
Basically went for that as I will be mounting buckets to the floor and I'm a short arse, so my head (even with a helmet on), is way under the line drawn from the engine to the top of the bar. Being lower than the TD ones, its probably a little stronger (maybe).
Not to include the strange fact, my iPhone had saved an older offline version of the TR Lane website with the old prices on
(for the GPD anyways).So I got it for a Billy bargain
Dift said:
Mark will bosh it in no worries. I'm only doing it myself as I have next week off work, and I reckon it "could" be fun putting it in with a beers.
I ended up getting the GPD.
Basically went for that as I will be mounting buckets to the floor and I'm a short arse, so my head (even with a helmet on), is way under the line drawn from the engine to the top of the bar. Being lower than the TD ones, its probably a little stronger (maybe).
Not to include the strange fact, my iPhone had saved an older offline version of the TR Lane website with the old prices on (for the GPD anyways).
So I got it for a Billy bargain
Would you be kind enough to supply the link as in the process of purchasing a GPDI ended up getting the GPD.
Basically went for that as I will be mounting buckets to the floor and I'm a short arse, so my head (even with a helmet on), is way under the line drawn from the engine to the top of the bar. Being lower than the TD ones, its probably a little stronger (maybe).
Not to include the strange fact, my iPhone had saved an older offline version of the TR Lane website with the old prices on
(for the GPD anyways).So I got it for a Billy bargain
Nathan
It only works when my iphone has no Internet connection (I have no idea how it does it), and shows lower prices (if I refresh the page with an Internet connection the price jumps £70), but will still link to his paypal account.
I just paid and hoped for the best... 8 days later the bar turned up on the door
I just paid and hoped for the best... 8 days later the bar turned up on the door
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