Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

I saw a scooby with roll bars fitted the other day and it got me thinking as to whether I should get them fitted.

I am very aware of my own mortality after having been in a very bad off a fair few years ago. I don't drive around like an idiot am very defensive and do spend money on improving my driving skills with people like Don Palmer. But like a lot of us when I hit an empty B or minor A road I do hit big speeds and push the car quite hard.

If things went wrong and I had an unexpected off at speed, would roll bars make the car safer. The main danger of death seems to be from side impacts, If you spin an hit a tree on the drivers side. Would roll bars do any good in this situation?

Are they expensive? Are they easy to fit? Do they improve the saftey of the car in an accident? Are they a wate of money? Just interested in peoples knowledge/views on this subject

Best wishes
Steve

mark@wrx

Check out the insurance problems/ huge cost hike before you fit them. Most companies won't insure you.

barge

as above.

Insurance companies dont like them.

there was a thread a while back about a removable rear unit that was available, someone may have the details as I cant find it.

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

Interesting point.
Had not thought of that.
Steve

Hoppy

I've got a removable roll-cage, made by Performance Drivers for Classic shape Scoobs (MY99/00 for sure, not certain about earlier models). £500. I use it for track days but often leave it in, although you can't use the rear seats with it fitted.

Also ideal for securing a harness and acts as a mega-strong rear strut brace!

I would strongly recommend it. Clever design. Fitted in ten minutes, out in five.

The new-shape cars are stronger and have a roll-hoop built in to the roof.

Richard.

PS Just checked the website (performancedrivers.co.uk) and it makes some good points. No insurance problems if you only use it on track - just lay it on the back seat and bolt it together at the track.

Always wear a harness and helmet - roll-cages can be dangerous without (like when you whack your head against it).

Slightly simpler model costs £399.

[Edited by Hoppy - 1/19/2003 8:34:56 PM]

Claudius

I would recommend a welded in roll cage. It will be very strong, give good protection and totally transform the handling.

I cannot see the logic behind insurance companies not wanting you to have a roll cage?

Hoppy

Claudius, "totally transform the handling"? I doubt it.

Cost a lot of money? yes.

Potentially dangerous without harness and helmet? Yes.

Reduce resale value to zero? Yes.

Cost a fortune in insurance? Yes.

You can't understand insurance companies? Why not? Why do people install a roll-cage in the first place? Is it because they are going to drive really slowly and safely? No.

Why do fast cars cost more to insure than family hatchbacks? Doh.

Where is your brain?

Richard.

Ray_li

Hoppy

I remeber reading about ya car and you said you had loads of ideas for ya motor.
Post some piccies in the memeber section for use to look at mate

Ray

Nezz10

As usual, a very imformative accurate and interesting post from Claudius.(NOT)

Keep up the good work M8.

Richard Askew

IIRC only weld in cages affect insurance as they alter the "structure" of the chassis. Bolt in cages do not..

**ALL AS FAR AS I KNOW AND IN NO WAY TO BE TAKEN AS GOSPEL**

If in doubt ask the pro's...

Hoppy

Off topic Ray, but I still have loads of ideas (don't we all ) but not much money

Most recent mods have been nicked off John Banks. Hybrid TD04L turbo, big top-mount inter-cooler, Scoobysport equal-ish length headers, and ECU-Tek3 remap. John estimates 310bhp and 300ft/lbs. It's certainly quick and I think 'safe'. Not forgetting the essential KnockLink

Next mods will be Ledas to replace my ailing Prodrive struts and then, when I win a Lotto, full ground-up rebuild for 400-plus bhp. There's some interesting threads in Drivetrain which I'll be keeping an eye on to see who's car goes pop first

Richard.