posted
Possum, I am considering the same item. I would like to see a photo of someone sitting in the driver seat with the rollbar installed. Their convertible rollbar looks a little bit low to me and a little to close to where your head would be.
Have you seen one installed?
Leonard
-------------------- 02 SS #???? 17 miles, Black, Ebony, T-tops 99 SS #1399 700 miles, Hugger Orange Convt., white top, white leather 94 Z28 595 miles, Black, T-top, charcoal leather 92 Z28 125 miles, last car built at Van Nuys, Bright red, black heritage stripes, red leather 69 Z28, Dusk Blue, white stripes, black std. interior
Posts: 74 | From: Ankeny, Iowa USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I saw a Wolfe bar in person for the first time about a month ago, and I'm pretty sure there's no way it would pass a rigorous NHRA tech. The side bars come way too low. Interestingly, though, when I started looking at their pics of the convertible bar, it looks like they've made them higher, and probably legal. Take a look at this one, of the coupe version: http://www.wolferacecraft.com/images/F-body%20photo/Rollcage.jpg and tell me on who's body will the side bar cross your arm halfway between your shoulder and elbow. Maybe a midget?
posted
Nope, haven't gotten back to Carlsbad since the install of the cage. They aren't as picky as NHRA so I hope they will let me run. I'll tell 'em I still run in the 14's for the first run !
| Member of: [url= http://"http://www.geocities.com/~lobird/main.html"]WWF[/url] Western Washington Firebird Association | [url= http://"http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/"]NFTAC[/url] National Firebird & T/A Club | | To find out you ASC Build #: email Cindy at harewoam@ascglobal.com with your VIN & model year | | To find out your SLP Build #: post your VIN at [url= http://"http://www.hoodscoop.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=5"]SLP VIN Posting Forum[/url] | | 2002 WS6 Owners List: email Toby at transamguy1973@yahoo.com with your ASC Conversion #, Conversion date | Chripthird.com Name, and OEM Car Info: coupe/vert | ext color | int color | top color | A4/M6 | Hurst | TCS | CD Changer |
Posts: 37 | From: Seattle, WA USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
First - I have to say it's great to see a forum for us convertible owners.
I am also getting ready to purchase the Wolfe bar. Badass30th - thanks for showing the pictures. I like what you did with the stripes on it, very cool. Also, the picture from your angle looks better and looks like there might be a bit more room in the back than I thought. I think I'm going to get the 6 point with removable crossbar and swing-out side bars. I think I won't put in the sidebars at first to see how they accept it at the track.
Also, how did you find the install of the bolt-on one to be? I'm looking at trying to do it myself. It doesn't look too bad, but it looks like it will take a while.
[ 28 June 2001: Message edited by: Red Dog ]
-------------------- Doug Smith Camaro SS Convertible #1328
Posts: 61 | From: Leesburg, VA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Hey gang....just thought that I'd jump in here to see what this post was about..
I too am considering a rollbar. Currently I run with the RKSport Light Bar, which really serves no safety, it's just for appearance. I'm running in the 12s now...and with the juice installed I'm in the mid 11s. Safety is a huge concern of mine at this point....especially for us verts.
Looking at the various rollbars that I've seen installed on rides....I just don't like the tube look without pads. It looks a bit too cheesey to me. No flames to those of you running with them like this...it's just a personal thing for me. If you have the GMHTP Magazine (May 2001 Issue) Volume 7, No. 3, you will see on the cover a well done vert with a rollbar. He has custom made vinyl pads that run around covering the tube and it makes it look so much better than just the metal tube look.
This is a definite way I will go....and just thought I'd share that with those of you considering a rollbar for your vert.
posted
well guys i have the wolfe cage. i love it. it was easy to install, 2 hours from the time i opened the doors until i was done. I looks great and im 6'3 and can still get in and out easily. It takes about a week to get used to it. but all in all i love mine. plus you get great looks from people with it.
Henry
-------------------- 97 ss #150... slp stage 3, lakewood lca's, wolfe roll cage, rci 5 points, 16" white ss rims
posted
I have the RKSport (AutoPower) 4 point without the crossbrace. It did stiffen up the chassis a little, and I think it looks better than without a rollbar. I also have the rollbar padding, which makes it look a little more heavy duty. Not anywhere near NHRA legal though.
-------------------- '95 Z28 A4 Convertible Posts: 4 | From: Erie, Pa | Registered: Jun 2001
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quote:Originally posted by 97ssconvertible: well guys i have the wolfe cage. i love it. it was easy to install, 2 hours from the time i opened the doors until i was done. I looks great and im 6'3 and can still get in and out easily. It takes about a week to get used to it. but all in all i love mine. plus you get great looks from people with it.
Henry
Hey Henry - is yours the 4 point or the 6 point? I'm thinking about getting the 6 point with the swing out door bars. Also, do you have an opinion of the back seat room with it installed?
- Doug
-------------------- Doug Smith Camaro SS Convertible #1328
Posts: 61 | From: Leesburg, VA | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:Originally posted by 97ssconvertible: well guys i have the wolfe cage. i love it. it was easy to install, 2 hours from the time i opened the doors until i was done. I looks great and im 6'3 and can still get in and out easily. It takes about a week to get used to it. but all in all i love mine. plus you get great looks from people with it.
I think I'm pretty much sold on that same setup, but maybe with the swing-out door bars. I'll probably order one as soon as the wife approves my credit
-------------------- Doug Smith Camaro SS Convertible #1328
Posts: 61 | From: Leesburg, VA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
I love my Wolfe 6pt. The first thing I noticed was just how well it fit the car. After mounting the main hoop, the door bar pads were only about 1/8 off where they needed to be while hanging free the secured main hoop. One friend holding them in place while I drilled was all it took to get a perfect fit. After install, when you see just how well the bar lines up between the seats and the doors you know you've bought a quality product. The rear bars that mount just behind the back seat use the existing bolts that hold the big seat-belt brackets in place.
My first impression upon driving the car was just how much stiffer it felt. It felt (almost) as stiff as my old '93 hardtop. I do not have subframe connectors.
The next major impression was when jacking the car for oil changes/tranny fluid changes, etc. The car moves up in a "solid unit" much more so than before. You can easily find yourself with the car only sitting on 3 jackstands if you didn't notch one up exactly the same as the other 3.
A future mod for me will be the B&M subframes. I will weld some plate extensions on to them to carry them forward onto the front subframes a little and then bolt the wolfe directly through them.
I did not get the swing-out door bars. It took about a week to learn the technique for getting in and out, but its like second nature now. I did get the removable rear bar. For trips to the track, I can remove the rear bar, fold down the rear seat and stack my mounted ET streets in the back seat with my rear bar stowed in the trunk.
You will not be disappointed with this rollbar!
-------------------- 99SS#1380 vert blk/blk/neut hotcam, Macs, SY4000, Strange 12bolt 12.4 @ 110.4 with a 1.735 60'
posted
After thinking about the Wolfe some more, I do have one concern. With the bars that come over that back seat, there might be a chance that someone could get hurt sitting back there in case of an accident (hitting their head on the bars)? I carry my kids back there sometimes. I guess I'll see how Gonzo's looks when it's done...
-------------------- Doug Smith Camaro SS Convertible #1328 Posts: 61 | From: Leesburg, VA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I also saw another one that RK Sport sells recently. It's only a hoop that bolts in behind the front seats and comes with an optional removable cross bar. It also bolts somewhere on the side panels for the front-to-back support. I'm thinking about that one too in the hopes that some tracks may let me slide with just that. Decisions, decisions...
-------------------- Doug Smith Camaro SS Convertible #1328
Posts: 61 | From: Leesburg, VA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
hey guys i am fixing to pull out my rear seat. i love my cage but without a rear seat its a lot less of a worry about people gettin hurt because now they dont ask to sit in the rear... wait damn there is fixing to be a subwoofer box there. when my car gets out of the shop im puttin it in and ill let you all see.
Henry
-------------------- 97 ss #150... slp stage 3, lakewood lca's, wolfe roll cage, rci 5 points, 16" white ss rims
posted
Call me a purist, i think convertibles should look like convertibles. now dont everyone attack at once! I see no reason to have it on the street, now the track? thats different. I once had a Datsun 510 with six point roll cage in it, and it was a hardtop,(never made converts) and it was great! stiffened the whole car and added an element of safety. I just love the way a convert looks with its low slung body style, not to mention the air in the hair. I also have back seat concerns like some of you, my daughter rides back there cuz she's only 8 and not leagal with the front airbag. it's just the way I like it. Best of luck to those of you with roll bars, Im staying just the way I am thanks!
-------------------- 01 SS Convert,Rally red/Ebony cloth 10 spoke Chrome/G-force !CAGS,M6,hurst SLP lid, K&N,Airtemp sensor, Aubern, Billstien, Mats, Fobs, Cover,Kenwood headunit/CD-Changer Camaro caliper decals ,Loudmouth, SS grille Posts: 211 | From: Redwood City, CA. | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Back from the track ... those results are in the SSOA General Discussion area.
Talked to tech about the rollbar ... they follow the NHRA rulebook to the letter ... so I definitely need to get the bar if I want to continue running ... decisions ... decisions
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
not to be rude guy but this is the reason we get hi-po cars. if i wanted to lug my family around i would drive an impala ss. but i like my cage because i have been hit broadside by an 18 wheeler. you try that on for safety. "Can i get my check?, i think im done here"
Henry
-------------------- 97 ss #150... slp stage 3, lakewood lca's, wolfe roll cage, rci 5 points, 16" white ss rims
posted
I prefer the look of my car with the rollbar. I have had at least 3 people ask me if it came with the car. That's how "right" it looked to them. Of course these were not "car people." I have had 3 die-hard Ford people tell me that its the first Chevy that made their jaw drop and that it was the bar that really completed the look. Yes the bar can be an "appearance mod" as well. I have no other appearance mods like ground effects, blackouts, stripes, stickers, big chrome tips, etc. The effect is a subtle, stock-appearing car with a nice rollbar that looks perfect for it. That "mod" alone really makes the car stand out without being gawdy. I have a bud with a 99TA and he tells me that when he is talking to other locals and describes my car all he has to do is tell them its convertible with the rollbar and everyone knows who it is.
A lot of times when people see a convertible they automatically assume that the driver isn't really serious about performance & racing. When they see an otherwise stock-appearing (non-riced-out)car with a 6-pt bar (which is black and not some chrome-plated eye sore) they know differently.
-------------------- 99SS#1380 vert blk/blk/neut hotcam, Macs, SY4000, Strange 12bolt 12.4 @ 110.4 with a 1.735 60'
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