I'm having a roll cage fabricated for my H2 Prelude in January. I'm deciding on the general design (of course specifics are left to the cage builder) and options now, so I'd be interested in any suggestions those of you more experienced than I have.

It looks like the rear of the cage will have to be similar to this one:

From this thread: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=840853
I have read both sides of the story regarding the legality of mounting the rear support tubes a tube that spans the shock towers, but I'm not sure there is any other better way to do it in the Prelude. Any suggestions? Is NASA and other racing organizations that strict about this mounting scheme (regarding it being legal or not)?

I was also thinking of doing NASCAR door bars on the driver's and passenger's side, as I'd still like to use the car for DE events, and I'd like to eventually start instructing. Is that overkill? Perhaps just a plain x-brace on the passenger's side will suffice?

Thanks!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have read both sides of the story regarding the legality of mounting the rear support tubes a tube that spans the shock towers, but I'm not sure there is any other better way to do it in the Prelude. Any suggestions? Is NASA and other racing organizations that strict about this mounting scheme (regarding it being legal or not)?</TD></TR></TABLE>

SCCA IT uses very similar rules, but I'm not suer how they would rule on such a setup. Grumpy (the user) can answer, as he is a tech inspector for both clubs.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was also thinking of doing NASCAR door bars on the driver's and passenger's side, as I'd still like to use the car for DE events, and I'd like to eventually start instructing. Is that overkill? Perhaps just a plain x-brace on the passenger's side will suffice?</TD></TR></TABLE>

This would not be legal for SCCA IT, as you have to retain the passenger door glass.

 

why can't the rear downtubes mount to the shock tower?

why put in a NASCAR bar on the passenger's side? an X is safer for you.. I would doubt too many instructors would complain that much if you're still using it for DE's.. I ran mine like that at the last wick's weekend here and no one had a problem..

if you're building an H2 car, you're building an H2 car.. worry about HPDE's and instructing should be secondary.. and once it's done, I doubt you'll want to use it for that..

 

Unfortunately I can't contribute with any technical info, but this is just my own personal opinion. All I believe should be necessary for a good, experienced cage builder is to know what the car will be raced in and to be in the possession of the rulebook. They should then be able to build a cage to the extent of the rules using the best design they know. Maybe we've just been spoiled by our cage builder, so that's why I would not expect anything less. Anything less and (imo again) it might be a good idea to look around for more experienced cage builders that have a good reputation and who you can trust. I've seen too many incidents already to realize that this is definitely not an area you want to cut any corners in.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hracer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Unfortunately I can't contribute with any technical info, but this is just my own personal opinion. All I believe should be necessary for a good, experienced cage builder is to know what the car will be raced in and to be in the possession of the rulebook. They should then be able to build a cage to the extent of the rules using the best design they know. Maybe we've just been spoiled by our cage builder, so that's why I would not expect anything less. Anything less and (imo again) it might be a good idea to look around for more experienced cage builders that have a good reputation and who you can trust. I've seen too many incidents already to realize that this is definitely not an area you want to cut any corners in. </TD></TR></TABLE>

While that is certainly true, there are a few things that may or may not normally be included with a cage. Petty bars come to mind. As do additional gussets where the A-pillar and halo meet. Anybody having a cage built would be well advised to do their research beforehand and let the builder know exactly what they are expecting.

 

this is very similar to a cage I used to have and I would recommend again. These pics don't show a dash bar but one was added

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1039371

 

This is an IT legal cage.

 

I like the way the IT cage is mounted tot he rear towers. I'll probably do an X pattern for the passenger door but will also include a horizontal bar that will be in line with the bar going to the front tower. My cage will have at least 14 mounting points (end of tube) and more with the tubes being connected to the frame along the side of the tube. First think about safety, then think about stiffness to the chassis. Imagine the car bending in the middle and how you would prevent that, or movement of suspension mounting points. If the rules allow, always build a frame for your seat that's attached to the cage, that way you and your seat will move with the cage versus the cage coming to you. Not good.

 

If you FULLY take advantage of the HC roll cage rules, the car will be SOOOO illegal in SCCA.

An you should take advantage of the rules.

Building a car to be allowable in multiple venues makes the car a poor competitor in all those venues.

 

I think it will do fine in SPU or GT3 with a D16