Finally getting rollbar installed, did I make right choice?

[Pumpkinfish]

I finally decided to install a roll bar in my Mustang. I am having an 8 point S&W roll bar installed with a swing out on each side and harnesses. The only thing sticking in my mind is the choice to use mild steel or moly. I told him to go with the mild steel, but was this the right choice? The car is no longer my daily driver and I will be mixing road course and strip events during the summer.

 

[doc stang]

choice

spring for the chrome-moly (?sp.?)

got any pics, or links?

 

[scramblr]

I don't know shit about roll bars or NHRA rules, but isn't there some rule or another about swing outs?

 

[ulev1st]

If you can swing the extra cheese...go with the chrome moly..you won't be sorry.

 

[Pumpkinfish]

He said it would be $800 extra with the material and labor for the moly.

 

[06GT_Vert]

ouch... extra labor, huh?

 

[US-1]

The only thing sticking in my mind is the choice to use mild steel or moly. I told him to go with the mild steel, but was this the right choice?

You chose wisely. C/M should be reserved for all out race cars. It is considerably more expensive but also much lighter. You did just fine with the mild steel bar.

 

[GI Joe]

You chose wisely. C/M should be reserved for all out race cars. It is considerably more expensive but also much lighter. You did just fine with the mild steel bar.

its really not even that much lighter...my last kit was 28 lbs lighter...not that big a deal for all they wanted more. This time I went mild steel.

 

[94tbird]

I don't know shit about roll bars or NHRA rules, but isn't there some rule or another about swing outs?

swingouts/removble door bars are good till 10.0 only

 

[Pumpkinfish]

Thanks for all the input.

Ron, I don't see myself going faster than 10.0. I have the car just about where I want it. The thing is a blast to drive on the streets and has respectable track times (especially if I could launch better).

 

[racevert]

I went with chrome moly because these cars weigh enough already.

 

[donnyonee]

its really not even that much lighter...my last kit was 28 lbs lighter...not that big a deal for all they wanted more. This time I went mild steel.

im not a expert but ive been told 10 lbs = 1 hp.
if i was doing anykind of compeitive driving, fun or ?. id be looking for lighter and stronger no matter what the price.
imho

so if i lost 100 ibs you guys better watch out.

 

[US-1]

its really not even that much lighter...my last kit was 28 lbs lighter...not that big a deal for all they wanted more. This time I went mild steel.

Yup...not that big of a deal in a street/strip or less than all-out race car. Now in my 25.2 Thunderbird......BIG difference. There's a lot of friggin' tubing in that thing.

 

[08GOGT]

is it true that with the CM tubing that you can go with a thinner wall tube.. Is that where the weight savings comes from..? Do you have to use the same diameter tubing when using either CM or Mild..?

To me $800 for 20lbs or so is a bit much when most of the weight is towards the back on the car. Now 50lbs or more I would consider it.

 

[ChevyKiller]

I'm with Wheeler and Joe. I went mild steel on my cage cause I just didn't see the weight savings that significant worth the extra money.

As far as the swing outs go, The guy doing the cert on my full cage now said the driver side was okay and I just couldn't have both (driver & passenger) and I had to lower my rear bar with some extra support and add a window net and padding on the back bar.

My car is going to be cert for 8.60 with the driver swing out so I guess it depends on who does the cert. but it certainly is possible to keep the driver swing out as evident with my car.

 

[US-1]

is it true that with the CM tubing that you can go with a thinner wall tube.. Is that where the weight savings comes from..? Do you have to use the same diameter tubing when using either CM or Mild..?

To me $800 for 20lbs or so is a bit much when most of the weight is towards the back on the car. Now 50lbs or more I would consider it.

C/M = .083 wall
M/S = .120 wall

 

[donnyonee]

ok so you have a thinner wall tube w/ the cm, is it any stronger than the reg steel tube?
just wondering if the weight savings vs strength is a issue.
ive spent thousands to go fast and not much at all on the safety end/braking. hmm?

 

[08GOGT]

CM is stronger.. This is the reason why its used in race parts.. they can use thinner/smaller tubing with out strength/integrity issues and save weight at the same time. But like all things in the race world it adds $$$$. Also CM requires TIG welding where CM can be wire fed mig. Since TIG requires more skill it can cost more for the welds