Roll Cages vs. Roll Bars in higher class cars

[69Cobra]

Hello All,
I was just wondering if you guys could shine some light on this subject for me. I've been noticing lately that alot of the lower class cars D thru K or so are actually using a roll cage when its not really needed per the ET breaks. I'm guessing the cage stiffens up the chassis and could prove better 60' times. Is there a proven advantage in the 60' or something?

[Robert Simpson]

It does stiffen things up. Some of the cars cross over to super stock in a class that required a cage. But me, I am looking to put one in my stocker because of the increasing speed differences. 145mph plus? vs my 110mph I just see it as safety. I would like to hear what the weight difference has been from a mild steel roll bar vs. a chrome moly roll cage? No front bars of course.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

3 years ago took out a 6 point MS roll bar, installed an 8 point CM roll cage Aprox. 20 Lbs. lighter even after adding more tubes. This is just my opinion but given the choice I see no reason not to go with CM, yes it's more expensive and requires tig welding but think back to the first question anyone asks' when looking at a car.... "is it MS or CM?" On a full cage and frame the weight savings are substantial.

[Jim B]

Don't forget that when you use a CM cage instead of a 6 point MS roll bar the tubes can be a smaller diameter and thinner wall which saves some weight in the overall installation. Consult with a chassis builder for specifics but the weight savings is pretty significant since several CM tubes in the cage can be less than 1/2 the required wall thickness of MS. As buzzinhalfdozen points out his CM cage was lighter than his MS roll bar. Generally speaking a properly sized 10 point CM cage weighs about the same (within 10 lbs) as a 6 point MS roll bar!!!

[Jeff Lee]

CM is the way to go. Lighter. Stronger. And CM doesn't rust!
My mistake when I built my CM roll bar for Stock class was not using a drivers side rocker bar. I thought the fact I had a CM bar everything would be fine. When I switched to SS class, I had the roll bar converted to a roll-cage. Still no rocker bar. In the end, somewhere along the way, the (slightly) rusty floor separated from the rocker, causing chassis problems. Now I'm building a complete back-half (CM) with 4-link. I may not have gone this route had the chassis remained true.

[Notch1320]

I am finishing up an 8,50 cert CM cage in my K/.S car. Added safety, lighter than a MS roll bar and room to grow/move up!

[danny waters sr]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

CM is the way to go. Lighter. Stronger. And CM doesn't rust!
My mistake when I built my CM roll bar for Stock class was not using a drivers side rocker bar. I thought the fact I had a CM bar everything would be fine. When I switched to SS class, I had the roll bar converted to a roll-cage. Still no rocker bar. In the end, somewhere along the way, the (slightly) rusty floor separated from the rocker, causing chassis problems. Now I'm building a complete back-half (CM) with 4-link. I may not have gone this route had the chassis remained true.

The rocker bar is required now, even on the 10.5 cars