Al N. Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 That "r500" on ebay raised a question for me... What is the "standard" Caterham rollbar? As pointed out, the one on that "r500" seems to bee a bit skimpy...and anyone who has seen mine rollbar would know that it at least looks beefier. FIA bars aside (and even then, theres some variation...one diagonal vs. x-brace, higher vs. lower), does any one know what the deal is with the rollbars on Caterham. My understanding is that they made the r500 bar (which although it looks beefier, apparently uses lighter tubing and is is acutally lighter than the standard bar) for the r500 and then eventually adopted it for all the cars. Anyone confirm or deny this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaLoco Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Re: Roll Bars and Roll Cages I fully recognize that this is leading us astray but I'm planning to "beef up" the ROLL BAR to a FULL CAGE some time this winter and was wondering what types of "CAGES" other Se7en owners are using. Here's a pic (that I like) of the Caterham "Super7.com" roll cage. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/620519230_Roll Cage Super7Cars.com.jpg Please "Post Up" some of your ideas! ... so that I can steal them. Thanks! BusaLoco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I will be doing the same this winter... pretty much the same style as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 http://www.alcester-racing-sevens.com/HD_SIB_Aero_Side_Labelled.JPG i'll post some more thoughts when i get into work and some more coffee to get me thru today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted August 30, 2007 Author Share Posted August 30, 2007 Jon-And can you expound on the "angled vs. non-angled" thing? My current bar is definitely not angled forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I have Caterham's FIA roll-over bar on order (about $450). It has the cross bar (triangulation) and seems to be beefier and slants forward. When I asked Rocky Mountain Motorsports about the standard bar which I have and which the "r-500 " in the E-bay ad has, he said it was little better than nothing. Maybe he was just trying to make a sale but I didn't want to take a chance since I track my car a lot. A full cage would be even better, but I also use it for the street a lot too and it is not very practical for that (as if the 7 is a practical car:)). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 This might help. My UK car had the 'standard' Caterham roll bar... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1931496048_classic rear end034.jpg My current car has the Caterham FIA roll bar - though it also came with an additional brace which runs from the crossbar down into the passenger side footwell - not sure if this was standard with the FIA bar or an option. I have not fitted it as mine is mostly for road use and this additional bar would make it near impossible to carry a passenger. hopefully you can see the difference... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/166750250_polished seven 2.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted August 30, 2007 Author Share Posted August 30, 2007 Steve, your FIA bar appears canted forward a tad, and looks to have a smaller OD than my non-FIA (again, from what I've been told/read, it may look thicker through the diameter, but they used thinner metal so it's actually lighter. What's with the variation between the angled forward and non-angled forward bars? We need some some Caterham anoraks to come forward on this... FWIW, the new FIA bar that is currently cluttering my garage has "CAGED" stickers on it...these are the folks that took over from Arch Motors for Caterham new frame fabrication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Al, I thought all their roll bars were canted forward a bit? Should have posted this pic - shows yours, mine and Scott's (and Mazda's, though I'm sure it's different now...) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/767084736_blue ridge 6.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted August 30, 2007 Author Share Posted August 30, 2007 Steve- We'll have to compare in person next time around...but from what I can tell from the pix, the main bars of scott's and mine appear to be bigger, but our two angle supports are a much smaller diameter. On yours, and yes, I know it's the FIA...the rear support bars look much more robust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Al, I'll mail you the full file pic - the differences are much clearer. Meanwhile, there's been much chatter about roll bars on Blatchat - here's an example http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=121470 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Both CAterham rollbars ae pitched forward. the FIA bar more so. One reason it is far far down on my list of mods is because my half hood(s) will no longer fit correctly. That will have a huge consideration on what actually happens. The standard bar has shown itself to be durable enough if a 7 landed wrongside up. I can not stress my opinion of starting ur mod process and not actually be prepared for what the changes are. and yes, i will be bringing this up in conversation on sunday. practice ur glazed eyes expressions:crazy: :ack: the FIA bar is required competitive motorsports and by the MOST stringent tech inspectors. What i do like about the more common FIA bars is that they are taller. and that is VERY important with driver who are taller than you and I. for instance Spencer going passenger earlier in the year http://www.steguisfoto.com/albums/Motorsports/NYR-Autox-5-13-2007/IMG_9484_Fixed.jpg if teh bar was taller and canted so that the JJ half hoods still fit, it would b a no brainer. I'd prefer teh double diagonal as there "may" be flexing and distotion upon impact (flip). of course the load would have been so great that u'd be dead anyway. I do like the idea of teh petty strut going into the passenger if not going with a cage of some sorts. and for Homologation teh FIA bar will need to have a hole for tech inspection showing its piping thickness. as for the picture i grabbed while surfing blatchat showing the Rear Wing Intrusion Bar and Side Impact Bars, that would be sort of what I would find worthwhile on a non track only car. i beleive that are bolt on units, i'm not sure so if anyone knows, please confirm or correct this hepfully the PNW attendees will be able to add their track input and previous setups once they get home and get caught up. I would want the SIB to possibly be a bit higher, possibly meeting the top of the FIA bar so tehre is better cockpit protection in a flip/rollover. the RWIB i beleive is mostly for cone protection. for all my goals, i should probably actually talk to a cage builder about what could be fabbed, and what could be bolted in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted August 30, 2007 Author Share Posted August 30, 2007 I'll check again on my car tonight (still on trailer!), but I swear the bar does not cant forward at all. Jon, if you mention mods in front of my wife! :ack: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Al, just checked my profile shot of your car... it definitely leans forward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I'll check again on my car tonight (still on trailer!), but I swear the bar does not cant forward at all. Jon, if you mention mods in front of my wife! :ack: 1. ya don't drive ur car enough! 2. a season of AutoX is cheaper than ur new wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted August 30, 2007 Author Share Posted August 30, 2007 A. I don't golf all that much either, but I still have nice sticks. B. Given that it entails both missing church and being away from home for a full weekend day, a season of Auto-X would be harder on my marriage than a new head and cams. :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 In Italy it's OK to miss church on Sunday if Ferrari are racing. And they rings the church bells if they win (at least, in Marranello they do). Where cars are a religion and all that... :blueangel: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athens7 Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 My roll bar is the current Caged X brace FIA bar. When I was learning about them, I got the following info from Cody @ Caterham USA: The standard bar is made out of 16 gauge (.065” wall thickness) ERW steel, and as Jez told me is “cosmetic”. The FIA bar I sent you is made from .090” wall thickness cold rolled seamless steel and has been crash tested for FIA approval. I will take it back if you want, but that is the only other bar they make. The only other option is to go for a cage. The petty strut (bar from the roll bar to the passenger foot well) is a separate option. I got one of these as well, as it is easily removable. A little more info from Jeff @ British Auto: Received the roll bar. The hoop is only 1.5 inches as the original bar presently on the car is 1.75. The diagonal bars are the same for both. Do you know if Caterham offers the track day bar in the original size which is 1.75 inches. Don't think my customer will go for the smaller size bar. Why would a track bar be smaller in diameter? Oh,I know the answer........ it's Caterham. Please ignore the avatar image; it's a picture taken before I bought the car and had the mods done. When the car arrives (Saturday?!), I will post pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 The RWIB is actually the Rear Wheel Intrusion Bar. Designed to keep the "rear wheel" from "intruding" in the event of an impact, thereby allowing you to tell your buddies about it later down at the "bar". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 i'll have to see the undercar portion of the RWIB to see how that works. can't really see how it would function from teh picture i linked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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