Roll Bars

Michael Hay · Post by **Michael Hay** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 8:42 am

With my first mx5 in the wind, I'd like to know where, or off whom I could
purchase roll bars, preferably the twin roll bars looped behind the seats.
Oh and how much these generally cost.

Akl area.

Thanks!

Mathew · Post by **Mathew** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 10:24 am

It depends if you want Roll bars (that will provide roll-over protection) or "Style bars" (that are made to look good, but provide little or no protection in a roll-over). 90 percent of the bars fitted to mx5s in NZ are of the "style" variety, including the twin hoop design. Check out the for sale page on the website, or ring Ross at Mx5mart (I think he's got both varieties) for pricing.

MC · Post by MC » Mon Feb 11, 2002 10:24 am

Michael,
Mine is the Racing Beat chrome type, i bought my one from Rotary Power in
Glenfield (Racing Beat stockist) cant remember how much it was as i also
bought stiffer sway bays at the same time, $900 i think, not cheap but i
reckon they look the best, oh! and they're not roll bars, they call them
style bars,

MC

Rowan Hick · Post by **Rowan Hick** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 11:05 am

It would almost be cheaper to get an MSNZ approved rollbar made for your car.
Gives you a little more confidence. You only need to enter 2 events per year and
and have an MSNZ license to LEGALLY have a rollbar on the road.

I've seen some style bars that are an absolute joke for protection purposes - no
fore/aft stays to support them, so in a roll the first thing it will do is bend
forwards/backwards.

For the good of your noggin.
Rowan

MC wrote:

[...]

Phil McArthur · Post by **Phil McArthur** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 2:41 pm

Rowan,

Are you saying that it is illegal to have a rollbar (proper one, not just
for show) in ones MX? -unless you have a NZMS licence etc?

ross campbell · Post by **ross campbell** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 3:35 pm

I am currently developing 2 types of style bars. They will be avaliable
chrome plated or powdercoated to match your cars colour.Cost around
$300-$400. Style bars are just that and are for looks purposes only.I
recently bought a rolled mx5 with a style bar and although the windscreen
was pushed down by 50 mm on the drivers side it was unmarked.( photo on my
website )The windscreen pillars are very strong. I once had a mx5 that had
gently rolled over and not even broken the windscreen.Having a manz
certified rollbar certainly is good as you cant go on any serious track
days without one.Ross.

Mathew · Post by **Mathew** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 3:36 pm

I remember reading in a mag (NZ Performance Car I think) that the new
regulations meant that to have a roll cage it had to be a proper certified
cage and that you had to hold a particular MANZ license (which required you
to compete in two events a year to retain it), BUT...near the end of the
article it mentioned there was a clause that listed several vehicle types
that were exempt from all the previous conditions and one of those was
convertibles. So from this I concluded that if you wanted to put a cage in
your road going 300ZX you'd have to get the race license and certify the
car, but if you have an mx5 you could build a full jungle gym into the back
of it without any hassle. Am I right???

peter · Post by **peter** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 7:11 pm

Clive might be the best person to answer this...
but when I had my style bar installed, the technical answer from the mechanic was :
if you intend entering the car in a licensed motor sport event (hill-climb, targa, etc) the "rollbar" must meet strict
specifications as to gauge of steel, diameter of pipe, shape, minimum height above driver's head (allowing for helmet),
must be welded to bodyframe, installed by a certified installer ( and then gets inspected to see if it passes
certification : a good installer may do this as well) bearing in mind that you may be prevented from racing if it's not
up to scratch. Clive had his installed at Race FX in New Lynn, while my rear strut bars and style bar were being put in,
and I can remember the fun he had wanting a rollbar that the roof could close over - I think he ended up lowering the
seat as far as it would go to compensate.

So, in a nut shell :
bar + certified installation + race certification = rollbar,
bar + none of the above = style bar.

Race Fx installed my style bar as a style bar due to the shape, type of steel used and the fact that it bolts to the
suspension towers. None of the testing stations I've been to have even shaken it to see if it'll fall out - go figure!

Peter
DRGN-1

darryl · Post by **darryl** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 8:56 pm

Racing Beat style bar, chrome, all years, twin hoop, $700+freight and GST(do
for $650+F +GST), not cheap alright, and I can get these direct from Racing
beat also.
As above but blach, $640 +F +GST
Many sorts available and Racing beat do specify only for looks, and offer no
roll over protection.
If you are interested in this exspensive option, I will do a good price on
these. As above. Or for more than one order maybe even cheaper.

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Hi there

Robin Thomas in the Dunedin chapter has roll bars, not a roll cage. As
far as I'm aware he does not race twice a year. I'm sure he would know
what the story is.

Have a look at some factory soft tops. Boxsters and some Z3's I've seen
have roll bars. I'm fairly certain they are not "style bars". Lots of
Shelby Cobra knockoffs have roll bars or a single roll bar behind the
driver. The convertable clause could just be right , it does seem
logical.

just some ideas

cheers

MADMXV...

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Tue Feb 12, 2002 7:23 am

Have a look at some factory soft tops. Boxsters and some Z3's I've seen
have roll bars. I'm fairly certain they are not "style bars".

Whilst those factory fitted bars are very strong, and probably will
supply a good measure of roll-over protection... they do not fit
MANZ requirements for a roll-bar and you would not be allowed to race
with them... thus, they are style-bars.

Obvious areas they do not meet the specs... rear bracing (they have
none) and height. They are all too low. A roll bar must be 50mm above
the (helmeted) head of the driver...

Fletch.

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