QuestionQUESTION: how is the best way to attach the cage to the floor of car for safety.. it is stickly a take the interior out of it and add some bars.. im putting a 6 point cage in it.. ive built and raced cars for 20 years, but never a little compact car.. thanks for any suggestions..
ANSWER: OK I don't want to make you feel bad here, but based on the nature of your question, and your wording, you would be WAY ahead to leave the construction of a roll cage to a professional.
Each mounting point should be at least 4" X 4" square, .095" thick, and TIG or MIG welded to the floor. If AT ALL POSSIBLE, it should also go up the side of the chassis where the floor meets the kick panel. You don't just "add some bars", it's a critical design.
The cage should be designed by some one with experience in the field, and the plans examined by a mechanical engineer. Safety after all, is THE most important thing you can do to a racing car. Speed is next.
Even though I've built a few race cars in my time, if I were to do so again, there is a man that is far superior to me in his ability to build cages, and any future efforts from my shop will go to his for the cage work. I've seen one of his cages after a very violent accident and it definately saved the driver from serious, if not fatal injury.
Sorry, I didn't mean to lecture you , but roll cage construction is a very exacting thing and should NOT be attempted by someone untrained in thier construction.
Good luck,
Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I've built several cars and am very experinced. I no u r supposed to weld it. I
didn't no the exact spot on the floor board that was the strongest.
AnswerOK The front hoop should mount as far forward as possible , and as near the three corner area so the pad can go on the floor, up the side kick plate, and up the slope of the front floor.
In the rear area just behind the driver, there's usually a step under the rear seat mounting, so make a pad that sits on the raised part of the floor, and then goes down the face of the step. Also make it to fit up the outside wall of the structure.
If you encounter an area where there is frame structure undser your mounting point, consider dropping the tube THRUOUGH the floor to be plated and welded on both sides of the frame section.
In the front fabricators usually fit a horizintal bar across in the dash area. It's worth the effort to remove the dash as a unit, and fit that section of tube as close to the firewall as possible, even attaching it with tabs in three places over the horizontal distance. This will dramatically stiffen the car and adds a higher level of protection for the driver.
In Sports Car Club of America, the rules dictate using 1 1/2" OK DOM tubing .095" wall minimum for cars under 2500 poounds, and 1 3/4" X .095" for anything over 2500 Lbs. These are some of the strictest rules in motorsports, and if you areacareful with the welding,
Again good luck
Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida
