Caterham Roll Bar

[Dwight]

Question:  Is the standard S3 roll bar lower than the competition version with the cross brace(s)?  And do the upright portions on the standard version sit straight up (i.e. 90 degree angle) rather than angling forward?

 

 

[inchoate]

FWIW I have a standard roll bar and it's 12" high and more or less perpendicular to the chassis, it might lean back 1 or 2 degrees.

 

maybe someone with a competition bar could chime in. 

[NSXguy]

80% certain the main hoop on the FIA bars is taller. It also leans forward over the driver's helmet while the standard ones go straight up the rear shock towers- At least that was my observation from the last 7s meetup although admittedly i didn't measure each so maybe someone can confirm with actual measurements.

 

i have a standard bar on my 81 S3 and will be upgrading to the FIA or having one built before next season...mainly to gain adequate clearance over my helmet. 

Edited October 25, 2022 by NSXguy

[KnifeySpoony]

Trackday bar is definitely taller, and leans forward.

[Dwight]

NSXguy, I raced in SCCA for nearly thirty years in formula cars and I will not be racing my Seven which currently has an FIA bar with a single cross bar and detachable forward brace. At this point in my life I’m primarily interested in a more vintage appearance with my 2001 S3 (example: I removed modern taillights and mounted Wingards, as well as Brooklands screens, etc.).

 

If your standard bar is lower and sits at a 90 degree upright position, perhaps we could do a swap

and you’d have your FIA configuration and I’d have the more vintage appearance I’m seeking on mine.

 

Let me know if you’re interested.

[NSXguy]

11 hours ago, Dwight said:

NSXguy, I raced in SCCA for nearly thirty years in formula cars and I will not be racing my Seven which currently has an FIA bar with a single cross bar and detachable forward brace. At this point in my life I’m primarily interested in a more vintage appearance with my 2001 S3 (example: I removed modern taillights and mounted Wingards, as well as Brooklands screens, etc.).

 

If your standard bar is lower and sits at a 90 degree upright position, perhaps we could do a swap

and you’d have your FIA configuration and I’d have the more vintage appearance I’m seeking on mine.

 

Let me know if you’re interested.

 PM’ed

[Dwight]

NSXguy, After looking more closely at your member photo, it appears that your roll bar is an FIA bar like mine.  As I previously mentioned I’m looking for a standard bar which is lower and does not have a diagonal brace.  I won’t be racing my seven and I’m after a more vintage look; hence, my search for a standard bar.

 

 

[IamScotticus]

I would disagree.  Des's bar is very early Cat standard bar, wrapped in foam padding, with a diagonal added by someone, which could be removed.

Very vertical.

 

This is an FIA

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by IamScotticus

[Croc]

6 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

Des's bar is very early Cat standard bar, wrapped in foam padding, with a diagonal added by someone, which could be removed.

 

Agree.  The other giveaway is the thin bars used to run backwards to the rear basket supports.  

[Dwight]

I stand corrected. I was under the impression that all bars with diagonal bracing were FIA.  I learn something new every time I get on this site.

 

By the way, concerning my car, it has de Dion rear suspension.  I don’t know if it’s metric or imperial.  I’ve tried to research that with the suggestion of looking at the horizontal fore/aft member to which the ARB attaches.  Mine doesn’t seem to fit the description of being either totally cylindrical or a combination of square and cylinder.  Mine is cylindrical, but with indentations as shown on the attached photo.  Or am I looking at the wrong member?

[IamScotticus]

Need pics of the roll bar mount not "ARB", which is sometimes confused with anti-sway bar.  Most post 90s DeDion and all Caged chassis and thereafter are metric.  Metric fasteners are used mostly throughout the chassis and rear shock tower mounts are located differently.  If you go around and check the various suspension bolt heads, they should be metric for metric chassis. Therefore forward roll bar mounts aren't interchangeable between chassis.

Due to all the changes made, its risky to buy a seconnd hand rollbar unless you know its made for your chassis. 

And no, Des's RB will not fit your DeDion.  I think the best you can do is get a "standard" DeDion RB without a diagonal.

 

For example, this bar on a '97,  isn't forward sweeping, its vertical. it has canted sides that mimic the profile of the windscreen. 

 

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/road-bars/2897-rollbar-standard-s3-metric-chassis.html

 

Edited October 28, 2022 by IamScotticus

[Croc]

8 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

Most post 90s DeDion and all Caged chassis and thereafter are metric. 

 

 

Change over year was officially 2007 but some cars were metric in second half 2006.

 

8 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

Due to all the changes made, its risky to buy a seconnd hand rollbar unless you know its made for your chassis. 

 

So agree with this statement.  The Caterham roll bars are like rabbits and multiplied.  

 

[IamScotticus]

Im 90% sure Dwight has a metric S3 DeDion.