Where is the line, and have I crossed it?

[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.

[DBasher]

Originally Posted by CJD Automotive

Need a legal cage for SCTA/ECTA running mile and Bonneville, hence the 'chute, cars over 200 are required to have them. I'm looking at 220-230 in the standing mile and 260-ish in the 5 mile, so want a very safe cage!

I love the car and what you're doing with it! I've got nothing to add other than make sure you read and reread the SCTA rules and know what class you'd be running in. You can easily run the 150 club but to get on the 5 mile you'll be looked over really well...maybe run no class and Time Only (TO)

[CJD Automotive]

Originally Posted by NOT A TA

Better to put up with inconvenience street driving and be alive after an incident.

Super nice car!

I agree, just wish you hadn't shown that side pic! Holy crap, that must suck to get in and out of!

Seriously, thanks for that pic, as it gives me a visual of what I'm doing.

Looking forward to meeting and running some track days in Florida with you...I'll be the one with the windows up and A/C on!

[CJD Automotive]

Originally Posted by DBasher

I love the car and what you're doing with it! I've got nothing to add other than make sure you read and reread the SCTA rules and know what class you'd be running in. You can easily run the 150 club but to get on the 5 mile you'll be looked over really well...maybe run no class and Time Only (TO)

Thanks! I'll run either B/BGC or B/BGALT. Both blown gas classes, just not sure if I can stay in Competition Coupe with my aero mods, or will get bumped to Altered Coupe. Either way, doesn't matter, it's not like any records will be in danger, just want to run the car on the salt and get into the 200 MPH club. Sucks that you don't get anything anymore unless you set a record.

[Panteracer]

I have gone back and forth as many have with my cars
but I think driving on the street is the important thing

That being said I have a full cage in the Pantera that is tucked
high and cannot be hit with me in the seat... It has been 170 plus
at the Silver State and runs 140-150 at the tracks

I really should have more side protection etc
and a better seat
I saw Big Red a few years back and the cage in
that car looks like a funny car plus with all the bars
on the roof

If you are planning on running 200 plus I would be sure to put
as much as you can in the car as at those speeds roof flaps
would not be a bad idea.. actually designed by a Pantera guy
who used to work for one of the Nascar teams

Bob

[CJD Automotive]

Originally Posted by Panteracer

If you are planning on running 200 plus I would be sure to put as much as you can in the car as at those speeds roof flaps
would not be a bad idea..

Thanks and yep, already bought a used single flap from a Craftsman truck. I'm thinking just putting it at the rear of the roof in the middle. I looked at the car "pairs", but those flaps are a lot bigger than people think, well the under box part. Those "stock" car roofs are like board flat, and I simply can't fit the paired flap under box in my curved roof.

[Try2paz]

Originally Posted by ironworks

The answer lies in what you "REALLY" intend to use it for. If you have never raced before a full on race car might not end up getting used quite like you hoped. But a street car might not be enough.

I don't like rollcages in street cars that you and your passengers don't wear 5 point seats all the time. In a car with a cage you could hit your head on the rollcage in a 30 mph accident and be dead pretty easy. And know one ever puts their seat belt on like they should every time in a race car while on the street.

As long as you enjoy it and can afford to do what ever you want, by all means go right ahead. As long as your cool with how ever it ends up getting used and had fun doing it. Go right ahead. This hobby is supposed to be fun.

I agree with this statement, I see roll bars / cages in cars fairly common with no head rest, no padding with a lap belt. One hit of that bar in a roll over you're a goner. A kid out in the east bay (brentwood) recently rolled over in a jeep with a cage inside and died from the cage.

[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