Lotus Roll Bar

[DanDarcy]

Does anybody know of a bolt in roll bar for Lotus Elise ?

[DanB]

FWIW you don't need a roll bar in an Elise to run with COM.

[DanDarcy]

Dan ---- I realize I don't need a roll bar but I don't feel as safe without it. I did use my Z06 without a roll bar the first time a did a Com event but I didn't feel secure in it and I didn't want to cut up an almost brand new Z06 so I bought the Mustang out of a salvage auction and the first thing that went into the car was a roll bar and 5 pt. seat belts. Lotus says they have a roll bar built in to the roof but I don't how strong it is plus I want 5 pt. seat belts.













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[jakesrodshop]

have one built. problem solved.

[962porsche]

first are you looking for a roll bar or a roll cage ? 2nd yes i could build one for you D.O.M. alloy steel 1.375'' x .095 but insted of paying 1000 bucks that you would from some one like autopower. your looking at some thing like 2500 to 3000 dollars for some one like me to build one .

[breakaway500]

Dan,measure up your car and I'm sure you can find a prebuilt unit to put in there.

They don't make one for my Focus sedan,but with some minor mods,a Mustang one fit fine.



This entire kit cost $165 from Summit racing.I used what I needed and saved the rest for other projects.

There are lots of kits available. If you have the main hoop size to start with,there are many to choose from.Some places will even custom bend your main hoop for no charge.

I am sure you don't want to spend $3k on the Lotus,right?

[962porsche]

i would not get a cage from summit or jegs . the tubing is to small and the cage is made for drag racing not road racing . and its not a bolt in cage . the only thing you will get is some pre bent mild steel tubing . that you would still have to play with or pay some one to play with and it still would not be a proper and safe cage for road racing .the tubing is the cheap part about 150 bucks for a 6 point cage with nascar door beams and a petty bar. the labor hours are the big part of the install of a cage thats were the cost is . i have built well over 1000 cages in my time and in my opinion that would be a grave mistake .

[breakaway500]

The tubing diameter and quality meets all COM requirements.Drag racing,road racing,if you end up on the roof,does it really make any difference?

The main hoop is the backbone and everything else is support.They are bolt in cages.You can weld them as well,but they are designed to be bolted in to the frame with plates.

Are custom built cages better? I am sure they are.

I guess I feel the pre-fabricated kits are as safe as I need to be.

After all,motorcycle racers have...nothing.

[DanDarcy]

The roll bar you are talking about is made by Competition Engineering. The tube does meet Com specs as well as others. They are more like a kit that you have to weld together. I have one in my Mustang, an 8 piont model with the optional " old fart" swing out side bars. They are a great buy but require a lot of fabrication and welding. I looking for something like the "hard dog" that I bolted into the Miata I once had. At present I don't plan on using the Lotus for Com, only some HPDE events with Audi, but I still want to "feel safe" and have 5 point belts. I may pull out some of the interior and see what structure is stock. Maybe it's good enough.

[962porsche]

you don't have to tell me about motorcycle racing . i have more broken bones from it than i care to think about . as for the cage in cars it may be good for com and some others if you are only doing D.E. and T.T. Days . a cage does more than just protect you . so if your adding one to your car . you should also get the benefit from a good road racing cage if thats what your going to do with the car . and if you have to build one than why not do it right and make it meet scca ,nasa and fia regs. it does not cost more to do it that why . adding one to a lotus the main hoop needs to be a larger size becouse there is no place to attach rear bars from the main hoop to the rear wheel houses or trunk floor .

[DanDarcy]

If I were to put an SCCA legal cage in the Lotus I would not be able to get in it