Roll Cage?

[431Bird]

Toying with the idea of putting an 8 or 10 point cage in my 69 roadrunner. I was looking at getting one from S&W. Any of you have experience buying one of these kits? I see they offer two types. One kit in ews which is 1 3/4 by .134 wall tubing. Other is dom and its 1 3/4 by .120 wall. Anyways im sure this probly been asked before.
Thanks

 

[wedge5]

I have never heard anything bad about a S&W cage.

Where at in IOWA, if your are near the QC you could hit up Winner's Circle and see if they have a roll bar for your car. Bet they do.

 

[Coronet 500]

I would definitely go with D.O.M. I have thought of doing the same with my 70. One thing I plan to do is keep the front upright as close to the A pillar as possible and through the dash with the crossbar inside the dash. Not easy I know but I really don't like the look of that crossbar under the steering column and at your knees.

 

[431Bird]

Wedge5 im western side, close to sioux city.

Coronet I'm like you id want it as tight to the A pillars too. I was wondering does a guy have to have that dash bar? prob so lol.

thanks

 

[Coronet 500]

NHRA says yes. Needed so front uprights don't spread during front end jounce or pull in during rebound.

 

[JERICOGTX]

Dash bar is not needed if retaining the stock dash, AND the floor pan isn't removed. You are allowed a decent sized hole for trans inspection, before a dash bar is required.

If you are going to buy a kit, go with the DOM. It's a more consitstant material vs. EWS, and lighter. I've seen EWS not pass a sonic test.

Of you want the A pillar bars to be tight, having someone bend them for you is the only way to go. Kits are generic to a point and not as tight as a custom bent cage.

Jeff

 

[actionange1]

Knee knocker bars needed if factory firewall has been cut or altered.
If you can afford additional $$$ go with chromemoly and save lots of weight.
Just my 2 cents

 

[431Bird]

Alright cool sounds good...i pretty much wanna retain the stock look, so firewall and everything is still there its pretty much a street car..but prob wanna do it right just incase i wanna go quicker i guess i dont know.
thanks

 

[Cranky]

Jeff knows what he's talking about but it wouldn't hurt to get an up to date NHRA rule book either. Seems the rules always change a bit from year to year and a roll cage can be something that's pretty hard to change. Also, depending on how big of a person you are, tack weld the bars in place and then place your seat in the car and get in it. Several years ago I bought a car turn key and the main hoop was about 4" forward of the B pillar (door jamb) and it was not very comfortable but I really didn't notice it until I started making passes. If you are not comfy in the car, you will most likely not be consistent in it.

 

[Coronet 500]

Thanks Jeff, I missed that one. More than one square foot then 1 1/4" x .118" mild steel needed.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

Knee knocker bars needed if factory firewall has been cut or altered.
If you can afford additional $$$ go with chromemoly and save lots of weight.
Just my 2 cents

I AGREE, GO WITH CM. I'd have one done by a chassis builder. Tighter fit, lighter weight with CM.
Cant compare the final result with a custom cage .
here are mine for example.

 

[431Bird]

Wow guys thanks for the wealth of information! I know of couple shops guess ill see about getting some quotes...SSR thats pretty sweet! that would be perfect cause i wanna keep that back seat too.
thanks again

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

Wow guys thanks for the wealth of information! I know of couple shops guess ill see about getting some quotes...SSR thats pretty sweet! that would be perfect cause i wanna keep that back seat too.
thanks again

The going price for moly cages run from $1500-$1800.00.
Its well worth a few dollars more. Lighter and stronger IMO. Get the swingout with the heim end like in my picture. Its $150.00 to do but much better than the cheap S & W swingout kit like in my 65 Plymouth

 

[ss426]

does anybody know somebody to install cage neat job in my full interior in my 64 330 in ohio ,kentucky or wva building nastalgic Maxie thanks

 

[mark42202]

does anybody know somebody to install cage neat job in my full interior in my 64 330 in ohio ,kentucky or wva building nastalgic Maxie thanks

In TN I would look at www.smartshotrod.com. Ask for Sonny. VERY detailed work, great prices, and a great shop to work with. He is doing my 25.3 chassis in my Coronet:

 

[Budnicks]

Competition engineering, Chris Alston's Chassisworks, Magnum Force Racing, sells some in kit form that are decent if you have some fab skills & don't have a tubing bender you will need to be a good welder & get it certified thru your local NHRA or IHRA etc. tech inspection... Depending on how quick/fast you end up going there are different regulations for different classes, different materials & tubing thicknesses for different diameters or materials, I would suggest to get a rule book & check it out thoroughly... JMO

 

[moparpoor]

CM is the only way to go.Custom cage is the best bang for the money.You might pay a little more for a custom cage.The end result will be well worth the exra coin.If you are a good welder or know someone that is you can purchase the CM and bender for less than a grand and custom build it yourself.If you do buy the CM,buy promoly only.This is a US product that has a much better overall quality and finish.