NHRA rollcage rules

[fletcherscustoms]

Does anyone have a current set of rules for NHRA they could possibly scan and email to me. I need the portion on cages. I have a customers import car that I got to build a legal 10.0 cage in and need the specs. I've read the cliff note version on the NHRA site, but would like to have the full deal if possible. Thanks

[wiedemab]

I don't know how long it would take them to send it to you, but it is for sale on their site for $10.

It would be nice if they would post it for download - even if they did charge for the download.

http://store.nhra.com/product.asp?0=230&1=267&3=180

I also found this, but I'm not sure how up to date it is.

http://www.geocities.com/boosted_eine/nhrarulebook.html

[Rusty G]

There is not much more then posted in that last link except a few pictures.

If the car is "never" going under 10.00, all you need is a rollbar, not a cage.

Is the car unibody (most likely ) or frame?

I simple 5 point bar is all that is needed.

Sorry, this is the best I can do without cutting up my book.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q220/78grandam/rollbar.jpg

[fletcherscustoms]

are nascar style door bars allowed and legal. He is wanting a full cage with a door bar like this

[Blake Foster]

No the side bars ( nascar stylr) are not legal the side bar must pass mid way between the sholder and the elbow of the driver in a seated position. you have to ues 1.75 (for a roll bar)x MINIMUM .118 wall material. most guys if using ERW tubing use .134 wall cuz the wall thickness is so inconsistant. if your doing a cage then you would use 1 5/8 material DOM tubing you can get away with .120 wall material it's more expensive but better quality.

the design of the cage changes if more than 3? square feet of the original floor or fire wall is removed, then you need a dash bar and i think rocker bars? just going from memory.
gotta have 1/8 6x6 pads welded to the floor pan at each mounting location or one 6x6 on both sided of the floor pan boltet through the floor with 4 3/8 bolts ( this option sucks)

[ironworks]

Those rules are great if the car will ever go fast enough to be mandated to have it. Otherwise it does not matter. If memory serve me correctly, it needs an inspected cage at 9.99 or faster and just needs some form of cage at 11.99. My buddy has an old arc welded rollcage in his 55 chevy and he run 10.50's all day. To have a pro-touring street car that will run faster then 10's on the street is pretty stout.

[fletcherscustoms]

I figured the nascar setup wasn't NHRA legal. But thought I would ask anyway. This little car is bad, its a 98 Nissan 240SX with a big turbo 4 cyl. 2100 lbs and 700 HP. Has slips for 10.49 in the quarter and will pull a G in the skid pad also. SEriously setup little car!!

Now I just got to get the right tubing. Choices are use 1.75" DOM which I already have th die for, or use 1 5/8 and order a new die. I'll post up some pics in the coming days when I start bending tube

[Blake Foster]

Those rules are great if the car will ever go fast enough to be mandated to have it. Otherwise it does not matter. If memory serve me correctly, it needs an inspected cage at 9.99 or faster and just needs some form of cage at 11.99. My buddy has an old arc welded rollcage in his 55 chevy and he run 10.50's all day. To have a pro-touring street car that will run faster then 10's on the street is pretty stout.

Good call Rodger but my opinion is if your going to do it, at least do it rigth and to the rules the first time cuz both you and i know it won't be the last time the car gets updated. if history has anything to say about it

[andrewmp6]

Killer69 hit the nail on the head.I doubt that 240sx will run any faster then it does now the irs on them sucks at traction.

[Rusty G]

F.Y.I. the spec for a rollbar dropped a couple years back, you can now go 11.50 before you need a bar.Thank you Corvette and Viper.


Some tracks may let a car run with a subpar bar/cage.

I noticed on T&T nights, they check belts and helmets and send you on your way.

At an event, the put the glasses on and look the cars over pretty good and let the small stuff slide.

NHRA sanctioned event, the microscope comes out, one problem NO RACE.

I prefer to meet or exceed the safety rules, it's "only" my life or maybe the guy in the other lanes!

Plus I would like to return home to my wife and 3 girls in one piece.

[ironworks]

Blake I hear ya, but for a guy to climb over the bar day in and day out because some day he may figure out how to get the car to go fast enough. So you might as well make it useable. When we build street / strip car I always over build the cage so it will cert, but in a Pro-touring car, The likely hood it will ever need a certified rollcage is pretty unlikely.

I had a customer come in not to loon ago wanting us to update his door bars on a rollcage somebody built that was 1.5". th car currently ran a 10.48 and I said may be we should rebuild the cage to proper diameter since he had the engine out to make it faster. He did not want to do anything of the sort. He could not follow the reasoning that fixing a 1.5" diameter rollcage on a car currently 10.48 is a waste of money. I'm sure I will see that guy this spring right after he runs on event and the car makes it's first 9 second pass.

Hay Blake we are updating the the old 7.57 nova from an XDR car to an 1/8th mile outlaw. We are currently working to lighten the car from 3100lbs to 2550. She should really haul the mail now. 600 lbs should be worth 6 tenths. So we might get the old 68 in the 6's. Plus the twin turbo 66 is getting a 550 big block with dual 88mm. She should be pretty stout this year also.

Rodger

[Blake Foster]

I prefer to meet or exceed the safety rules, it's "only" my life or maybe the guy in the other lanes!

Plus I would like to return home to my wife and 3 girls in one piece.[/QUOTE]

THIS IMO is the correct train of thought.

I have never understood the mindset of spending ALL your money on a motor and as little as humanily possible on brakes and safety.

all you need to do is watch that video of the guy flying out of his 55 chevy

Nuff said