Want your epinion on \"bolt-in\" roll cages

#1

Are they safe enough?
Is the only difference that they are bolted, instead of welded, at the connection points?
If so, is there a danger of the bolts failing?

I’m asking because a custom cage is 2x$$$ of a bolt it.

[color=#FF0000]BUT, my life is worth 2,000,000x$$$ cost of custom cage![/color]

TIA for your epinions!

Link for reference

#2

I’ve done both. The end result will likely be that you weld-in the bolt-in cage as you enter your second season of racing. Yes, the racing action gets too close for comfort sometimes.

You will likely add reinforcements to the cage and ultimately spend the same $$$ you would have if you had done the job right the first time.

You don’t need to look any further than your fifth sentence to know the answer to your question.

Regards, Robert Patton

#3

Trust me, do it right the first time, skip the bolt in. If it means taking longer to get your car ready then so be it. I think you’re in Ohio, so you can get your cage done by McMahon. He does the best cage work I’ve seen for the money, you’ll thank me later :wink: and has done a number of spec E30’s.

this thread has some pics of our cage

http://spece30.com/component/option,com_mamboboard/Itemid,68/func,view/id,11927/catid,9/

If you need help deciding what you want done for the cage talk to Jack at elphant motorsports he worked with McMahon to get what I wanted.

#4

Todd, looks like you’re in Ohio. Time to buddy-up with Simon Hunter, Mike Osborne and Jack Money at one of the NASA races at Mid-Ohio. Their mentoring will save you so much time and money. Don’t do the spec e30 thing alone, especially when these talented racers are available in your area and most likely willing to help you.

Regards, Robert Patton

#5

just another datapoint from a non-NASA sanctioning body - BMWCCA CR will not allow new cars with bolt in cages after a certain date (that I don’t remember). So, the general trend is likely moving away from bolt-in.
cheers,
bruce

#6

Thank you all for the input about the cage. I will contact those guys at my next HPDE.

Thanks!!!

#7

cozog wrote:

[quote]Thank you all for the input about the cage. I will contact those guys at my next HPDE.

Thanks!!![/quote]

If you want to check out some of the cars and cages just come up to the Mid Ohio race in July or August or even better come to Nationals in September when there will probably be 20 or so cars.

#8

Elephant4 wrote:

I can’t do all three days in Jul, but plan on doing the Friday HPDE. Aug is probably the same. Will definitly be there some time during Natl’s. I’ll be at Nelson Ledges in Sep too.

#9

I’ll second Simon’s suggestion on having Mark McMahon do your cage. Jack at Elephant referred me to Mark and his work is impressive. Here are some pics of my cage (if Simon’s weren’t enough to convince you.)
www.williams–bmw.com

Gareth

#10

I have a bolt-in that came from my first Spec E30 car. While I have never heard of someone being seriously hurt or killed while using a bolt-in, when a custom would have saved his life, I will spend the extra time and money on a good custom cage if I build another car.

Carter