Where is the line, and have I crossed it?

[CJD Automotive]

Originally Posted by Rmt

This really is a tough line to draw.
I've spent too much time not reaching any conclusions also.

At this point, I'm drawing the line at welded-in, high door bars, and a containment seat.

Going to try to "settle for" welded in bars at seat bolster and another angled at shoulder height, and a Sparco street fighter seat, w/ 6 point belts.

Maybe include a higher door bar, with pins.

This is a GTLM door bar. I think I can live with this...maybe.

[Rmt]

To me, the front part makes it difficult to get in and out of on a regular basis.

And the back bar is quite a bit lower than what Ron specified as "needed" in the 'prints I got.

I'm going to probably compromise somewhere between the two.

I guess the line is, "whatever you can live with?"

[CJD Automotive]

Originally Posted by Rmt

I guess the line is, "whatever you can live with?"

And that's the million dollar question. Just don't know until you put it all in. My wife is telling me to put the full cage and seats for safety, and I quote, "Yes it might be hard to get in and out of, but at least you'll climb out and not have to be carried out because your hurt".

[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by CJD Automotive

And that's the million dollar question. Just don't know until you put it all in. My wife is telling me to put the full cage and seats for safety, and I quote, "Yes it might be hard to get in and out of, but at least you'll climb out and not have to be carried out because your hurt".

Last time I had a Cage with Door Bars in a Street Car, I got used to the contortions of getting in & out!

[Shmoov69]

200+ mph......? You already got your answer!

You can have removable side bars that are not the hokey pin in style but real solid bars. I have these for my door bars and my back bar for the belts. LOVE them!!
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Body-Part...FUkkhgodGBAFcg

[daign]

plan to run speed events or push the limits of yourself and the car? full cage.

I'm at the same junction with my own car. I'm best off caging it the way I drive regardless, even at track days/lead follow or the highway.

Unibody muscle cars (camaros especially) do not hold up well in crashes. In fact its scary to see photos. My biggest problem is that my headrest goes beyond the rear window front trim (b-pillar if there was one) Its going to basically have to be in the back seat which I hate, but it could save my life

[Rmt]

Originally Posted by CJD Automotive

This is a GTLM door bar. I think I can live with this...maybe.

Are you going to keep the door bars removable, or weld them in?

[CJD Automotive]

Originally Posted by Rmt

Are you going to keep the door bars removable, or weld them in?

Fully welded. It's much safer, and as Lance as eluded, I'll get lazy and just leave them in anyway!

[Rmt]

yes, that's kind of why I'm leaning toward the welded-in "too low" door bars.
Probably safer than pinned-in higher door bars.

Definitely so, if the high bars are not installed for "that one time..."

[NOT A TA]

My 70 Firebird evolved over 15 years from a street car. Once I started taking the car to drag strips, road tracks, mile events, etc. the tech inspectors kept saying you should install harnesses, roll bar, fire system, and other things. One time at Road Atlanta the NASA tech guys came to my pit area between sessions to have a lil chat explaining that barreling down the back straight near 140 MPH with only a helmet, cotton clothes, and 4 point Schroth ASM harnesses in a 40 year old car with no fire suit, air bags or other modern safety equipment was pushing my luck.

And so it began, full cage for attempting 200 MPH LSR's. Kirkey full containment NASCAR seats. I couldn't believe I was I cutting up thousand dollar seats to make them fit the car and shortened the sides of the halos to see for the street. Two fire systems, one for fuel tank and engine suppression and one for passengers. Six point Schroths for harnesses. I struggled with the race vs street thing for a long time while continuing to attend events. Now I'm currently rebuilding the car after a complete frame off, bare metal restoration/rebuild. I decided on a race car with license plates. Better to put up with inconvenience street driving and be alive after an incident. I have other cars I can use for street if the Firebird is to unrefined.

This time, no HVAC or sound deadening but retain carpeting, headliner, a faux rear seat and basic stereo. Rear firewall sealed, front firewall mostly sealed other than steering shaft and electrical.