I'm looking for a full roll cage where I can still use my dash. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

 

i've seen custom built cages that cut into the dash - at the front corners. If executed properly, it looks quite neat...

 

ioportracing.com

AutoPower 6 pt bolt in, I have it in now, works great, dash intact

http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant...ory_Code=AP351

 

Jolly Good......Jolly Good

 

Slightly dissenting view: if you're serious enough to need a full cage, then I suggest that a welded one is the better choice. It's stronger, lighter and stiffens up the car's structure better. However depending one where one lives it may be logistically quite difficult to get one done.

How's the IO Port cage regarding closelness of fit to the car interior? The BMW cages they supply are crap from that point of view, but I haven't seen their Mini product.

Neil
05 MCS
96 M3

 

It works for me .... I am no expert or a critic

Safe and solid. I can do 130 mph with confidence and the car is more solid, moves as a unit

I personally feel it is of good quality

 

Yeah but the Spec MINI regs make it so I can only consider bolt-in. Plus if the MINI ever needs to become a *cough* "family car" down the road, it will be much easier to pull out the cage and put in regular seats and restraints (I know thats not a concern of most, so you can spare the flaming, but I see it as a benifit).

 

I don't understand when sanctioning body's limit the safety one can put in their car.

Nothing wrong with an Autopower cage, well it won't fit like a good custom fabbed cage, but it'll do the job. That being said I've seen welded in cages that were so bad I'd never strap myself into that car.

One thing I do like about the Autopower is you could put the roll hoop in for track days & if you decide to go wheel to wheel you could put the front hoop & side bars in to complete the cage.

Hey Red Fury, could you post some pictures of your cage for us? I'm sure it would help us out. Pictures worth a thousand words.

 

Roll cage topic in the suspension section; interesting. Here’s a former discussion about this issue with some good pictures: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=built+bones

Built-by-bones will do custom fabrication so I would imagine Grant could make one the way you want and clear the dash as long as it’s safe. Hopefully Grant will chime in.

 

Here's a tip. If using the Autopower cage the glove box will not open after installing. If you want to maintain a stock appearance purchase the EURO Shelf for both the driver side and passenger side. Yes it's made for the passenger side. You won't have a glove box but you do have a shelf on the passenger side.

Now if you want one I just happen to have the passenger side EURO Shelf as I've now gutted the dash and don't need it any more.

 

MCSNORCAL
I strongly recomend that tou find out who the local SCCA IT racers use and go talk to that person. A welded cage can be much better and can be nade to your specs as to easy access etc. The guy that does the local racers will be your best bet. It will be stronger and lighter and bette than a bolt in and you can specify what access you want (door bars, knee bars, etc).
I have driven with a nice trach cage in a street car (VW SCIRROCO) and it was ok because I ask him to keep drivers door bars low. It gratly imporved on track handeling and saefty.
Wes

 

Not MY bar, but same cage, mine is black

 

Glad that's not you Phil. I didn't want to say that you are way to big for that seat! ....

 

Down boys that's my old seat. Don't have a pic from the back with the new Racetech 4009WTHR. That would be wide, tall with head restraint. It's not easy to find a seat for a 6-6 320lb frame. Now if I could just lose a few more pounds off the car. Leaving for Portland USTCC race in a few hours.

 

Good Luck, get Video for us !!!

 

Note to self, ...... don't **** off Rich....

 

Thanks for posting that picture. My plan is to use my car as daily driver & sometimes track car. I'd like to go with a Autopower or Bones roll bar. If I ever decide to go wheel to wheel it could be converted to a full cage. On track it'll be a harness, but for the street I'd like to use the stock seatbelt system. Is that doable with the roll bar in place?

Thanks again.

 

Yes, no problem. I did this last year.
To convert a roll bar to a full cage may cost as much as just having a full cage made the first time. You would be better of selling the roll bar and starting from new if you ever go that route.
Talk with Bones. Grant is an A1 guy and is roll bar is a perfect setup for what you are looking for.

 

I was using the MINI on the road just removed the door bars. Also had the stock 3 points in place hard to see but they are there.

That was then. Now there all gone.

 

Part of the fun of racing a MINI is when I get out of the car. And you hear "YOUR the driver. How do you fit?" Lot's of fun it is

 

I am also using the roll cage with my daily driver, door bars removed ...

Bolt-in cages are required for the SPEC MINI NASA series, so no welding for me

I am not a real racer I just pretend I am

 

I've got Greg's old Built by Bones rollbar in my daily driver. The driver's seat has full range of motion, the passenger's makes contact with the diagonal brace a few inches short of being all the way back on the fore / aft sliders. Probably not a concern for most people, but be aware that a diagonal brace on the rollbar that isn't bowed towards the rear of the car will interfere with the passenger's seat sliding.