Half-cage that doesn't require drilling into body?

[Estoril]

I don't get it. How are you going to mount the main hoop to the floor of the car if it doesn't bolt or weld in somewhere? I've seen some where the rear supports mount to the shock tower.

I don't think they care about securing the half-cage. Its about looks/hard parking. They seem to explain it away by believing that bolting up to fixtures like seat belt bolts will bear the weight of the car.

[shibui]

https://ravenperformance.ca/products/rollbars.php

this company is canada based and used to be a popular choice because it was full bolt on.
it's important to acknowledge that functionally most would consider this an overbuilt harness bar and not an actual "half cage"

I do remember this being a popular option back in the day, but yeah I haven't had any luck with getting them to respond either. Might just go with a Kirk Bar or Studio RSR bar if I can't find anything good.

[shibui]

I can make you one if you wish. Would be pretty similar to the U-weld kit I was making but without the rear subframe tie-in.

Looks really good! Do you still make the U-weld one?

[Gt4]

Looks really good! Do you still make the U-weld one?

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/211483-testing-water-e46-m3-custom-roll-bar-gts-style-you-weld-kit

[Nate047]

I do remember this being a popular option back in the day, but yeah I haven't had any luck with getting them to respond either. Might just go with a Kirk Bar or Studio RSR bar if I can't find anything good.

If you're in Japan I would just find a local cage builder and get one made. Any of the NA or European options are going to cost you more than it's worth, especially when you have a plethora of excellent fabricators at your doorstep.

[bigjae46]

I'd bolt in a half cage. If you decide to remove it...its welded in. If you want to go with a full cage then it will be difficult to get a 360 weld on the forward bars. You'll have to remove the roof or cut holes in it or have the bar start really low which then makes it more likely for your head to hit the forward bar and much harder to get it and out of the car. Among other issues.

I too am interested in a 100 percent bolt in half cage. Not wanting to drill into floor boards on my example either. The cage is for aesthetics for me not functionality.

Anyone have input on a cage that fits this bill?

Just get some cardboard tubes and duct tape. Or make one from CF and glue it to the floor...do you know how many guys that would attract?

[thegenius46m]

I don't think they care about securing the half-cage. Its about looks/hard parking. They seem to explain it away by believing that bolting up to fixtures like seat belt bolts will bear the weight of the car.

Don't forget how strong the SHEAT METAL is on these cars. Laughable. I can flex it with my 140lb body. To think that will save you in an accident is comical. There's a reason no proper cage is bolted to weak sheat metal.

If you want this done right OP, you need proper boxed in and welded in feet and then you can bolt the bar into extensions if you want a removable setup. At least that will be structurally safe.

[bigjae46]

Don't forget how strong the SHEAT METAL is on these cars. Laughable. I can flex it with my 140lb body. To think that will save you in an accident is comical. There's a reason no proper cage is bolted to weak sheat metal.

If you want this done right OP, you need proper boxed in and welded in feet and then you can bolt the bar into extensions if you want a removable setup. At least that will be structurally safe.

aren’t you welding to the same flimsy sheet metal?

[Albino09]

aren’t you welding to the same flimsy sheet metal?

Boxed and welded-in feet spread the load, and typically would be welded to high-strength sections of the floor pan such as the sill extrusions.

[bigjae46]

Boxed and welded-in feet spread the load, and typically would be welded to high-strength sections of the floor pan such as the sill extrusions.

But aren’t you bolting to the same spots? I believe the Kirk bar has a backup plate.

[Ianb]

Shibui - who are the UK manufacturers of cages that don't require drilling?

[t44tq]

Is Autopower bad? I haven't really done the research, but that appears to be pre-built, so easy install, relatively speaking.

[thegenius46m]

Tc Design who's done a billion competition grade spec e36/ e30/e46 etc, boxes the feet by joining them to structural points and then welds accordingly. This is definitely not punching through like your drill into sheet metal setup on the floor pan that doesn't have a proper foundation support.






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[Albino09]

But aren’t you bolting to the same spots? I believe the Kirk bar has a backup plate.

genius46M posted the photo where you can clearly see that boxed feet =/= bolted backing plate.

[Gt4]

You can make a box style for a roll bar without drilling the floor pan and using the 2 holes of the seatbelt bar. Wouldn’t be as good as a full weld kit but better than a plate directly bolt on floor like Kirk, Autopower, …