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Bolt In Cage Questions

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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 08:39 PM
  #1  
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Default Bolt In Cage Questions

Ok,
I need to get a cage put in my 1991 Civic HB. I am planning on racing in Honda Challange in 2006 when it comes to Floriday. Now I was thinking about getting a bolt in cage. Who sells a good cage for a good price that will be able to pass NASA tech, and also SCCA.

Also with bolt in cages. Is that something I will be able to install at home? Or will I have to take the car to a chassis shop to get it put in?

Last question. If I have a bolt in cage. Will I be able to weld around all the points where its bolted in at?
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 09:32 PM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Power Rev Racing)

Auto Power and Kirk Racing both make cages that are NASA and SCCA legal. All you need is a good drill, some drill bits, sockets and wrenches. You, a friend and a six pack should be able to install it in an afternoon. If you do get a bolt in I would reccomend having it welded together. I rolled 5x in a Auto Power that was welded in and walked away from it. Even though I survived virtually uninjured I would still reccomend a custom weld in cage, they are much safer.
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 10:08 PM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (HPDE007)

bolt in cages in race cars are scarey and show a complete lack of safty for yourself.

Contact GBRacing, here on hondatech he is from floridia and will know of a good fabricator
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 10:27 PM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (slammed_93_hatch)

[QUOTE=slammed_93_hatch]bolt in cages in race cars are scarey and show a complete lack of safty for yourself.

I will never build another race car with a bolt in cage in it.
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 10:41 PM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (slammed_93_hatch)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed_93_hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bolt in cages in race cars are scarey and show a complete lack of safty for yourself.

Contact GBRacing, here on hondatech he is from floridia and will know of a good fabricator</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats a pretty broad statement. In this instance I would recommend a weld in cage

thanks to the popularity of the car cages can be found as locally as in the for sale section from a site sponsor - just give him the specs you need an he has 10 point weld in cages starting at 249 - the applications shown are for drag racing but like I said provide him with a link to the rules and he can produce what you need

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1122975
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 03:32 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (e9)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by e9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Thats a pretty broad statement.</TD></TR></TABLE>

And a true one.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 03:58 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (.RJ)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And a true one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed. Although I know the reasons it won't happen, I wish that bolt-in cages would be deemed illegal for racing purposes.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 04:02 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Back in Black)

I will get a weld in cage but just out of curiosity. What is so bad about a bolt in cage, espically if you weld all the points together.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 04:05 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Power Rev Racing)

The fitment isnt good for the most part, and they're very 'basic' in their design because they have to be bolted in. They're also just not as strong/stiff as a good welded cage.

Next time you go to the track look at some cars with bolt in cages, and again at cars with good weld in cages.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 04:09 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (.RJ)

Ok well thanks for all the good replys everyone. I will post up pictures of my welded in cage as soon as I get it in.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 04:17 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Power Rev Racing)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Power Rev Racing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> What is so bad about a bolt in cage, espically if you weld all the points together. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Not to beat a dead horse but bolt-in cages are also going to be notably heavier than a similar and sometimes even more complex custom cage. Getting racecars down to weight is regularly a battle so starting with a bolt-in puts you behind the 8-ball both in weight and safety. My first ever cage was a bolt-in, then I welded it, then I added to it, etc.

Every cage I've had since then (and there have been quite a few) has been a custom welded in cage. Safety, fit, and weight advantage go to welded cages.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 04:28 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (.RJ)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The fitment isnt good for the most part, and they're very 'basic' in their design because they have to be bolted in. They're also just not as strong/stiff as a good welded cage.
</TD></TR></TABLE>


My bolt in autopower in my NX. It was SS spec in 91. The fit is terrible in some places. I'm gonna get a custom one before I go racing. This one *should* keep the roof off my head, but I don't think it's good for a big hit..
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 05:14 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Blair)

How are the U-weld it add-ons for autopower roll bars? And could nascar bars be added on for additional safety?
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 05:21 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (.RJ)

So why did I buy an autopower 4-point bolt in?
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 05:34 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Black R)

One of the problems with the the bolt-in kits was when they were designed and the intended use. As Blair mentioned his was a showroom stock cage from '91, the CRX bolt-in cages I have seen were made for the showroom stock days when teh cars ran with headliners and sunroofs. Most cars today are going to have the headliners and sunroof trays removed which will free up close to 1.5 inches of open room up to the roof structure. If you have an older cage fit, that means you are gooing to have a cage that does not fit the available room well at all.

My ITA CRX that I built in 1996 had a Kirk prebent weld-in kit that left room for the sunroof tray even thought mine was gone. The main hoop was nearly an inch below the roof line and the top of my helmet was at the highest point of the cage such that in a roll-over, my helmet would have contacted the roof about the same time as the cage. I am a very long torso guy so I sit tall in a car even with a low seat so this was a concern to me. Had I not sold the car in Winter 1997, a new cage would have gone in the car. Now my custom cages go all the way to the roof and all the way out to the door pilars.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 07:45 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Blair)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blair &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


My bolt in autopower in my NX. It was SS spec in 91. The fit is terrible in some places. I'm gonna get a custom one before I go racing. This one *should* keep the roof off my head, but I don't think it's good for a big hit..
[img]https://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/Nismo76/100_0704.jpg</TD></TR></TABLE>

your gona have more problems then just trying to keep the roof off your head if you get into an accident
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 07:56 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (CRX Lee)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As Blair mentioned his was a showroom stock cage from '91, the CRX bolt-in cages I have seen were made for the showroom stock days when teh cars ran with headliners and sunroofs. Most cars today are going to have the headliners and sunroof trays removed which will free up close to 1.5 inches of open room up to the roof structure. If you have an older cage fit, that means you are gooing to have a cage that does not fit the available room well at all.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is that true about SS rules now? You can remove the headliner and stuff? IMHO that is great news as SS cages in most cars are a little scary to me.

Even if it isn't true, I would still pull out most of the interior to build the cage and then figure out how to put the bits back in. I have always wondered why most people in SS don't do that?

I have an ex-SSB car with a great custom cage but the fit is really my only beef with it. I would have to sit on the floor for my helmet to clear the bar above the door. If the car were to gently roll over, the tub would be done. With a proper cage, just roll it back over and keep going.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 08:01 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Black R)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Black R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So why did I buy an autopower 4-point bolt in? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Rollbars are not rollcages.

A rollbar is designed simply for rollover protection. Good for HPDE/lapping cars. Not good (or legal) for racing cars, where side impact, multiple rollovers, etc are more likely. Your Autopower rollbar is fine for it's intended purpose (keeping the roof off your head in most rollovers). It won't do **** if you get t-boned at 100mph. A full cage might.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 08:14 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (slammed_93_hatch)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed_93_hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

your gona have more problems then just trying to keep the roof off your head if you get into an accident</TD></TR></TABLE>

True, there are several things I want to do better when I get a real cage (before I go racing). Right now I'm just doing HPDE. This cage gives up *alot* to fit around a stock interior. I know this cage has already taken one rollover, but i wouldn't want to be along for that ride.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 08:35 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (Blair)

I know when I rode/drove Todd Reids 5g HB, I didn't like his Autopower cage. My left leg was right up against the front down tube. That would get nasty if in a wreck.

Todd showed me a 2001 Madza in SS that took the front tubes down thru the dash, was much better, more leg room in case of hard crash.

After seeing some of the crashes lately, like the NHRA Pro-stock and the CRX in F-Prod at the SCCA Run-offs, I'll go overkill on the cage.........

Also the Autopower bolt-in cage Todd had, SQUEAKED like mad, it would drive me nuts on long drives.......
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 10:50 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (.RJ)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

And a true one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think you should call up kirk and tell them there cages are scary and don't fit

then then can tell you personally the value of your oppinion and why if they do custom cages just like auto power can would'nt you order one to fit your specs.

If anyone is under the impression off the shelf cages designed for cars with interior are going to fit as well as they could in one without, please tell me who you are when I see you so I can steer clear of your judgement on track
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 10:56 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (e9)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by e9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I think you should call up kirk and tell them there cages are scary and don't fit

then then can tell you personally the value of your oppinion and why if they do custom cages just like auto power can would'nt you order one to fit your specs.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

A cage that is bolted in to the chassis will never fit as well as one that is custom fit and welded in with the seat mounted and measurements taken for the driver. It will also never be as strong or stiff. Period.

I cant believe you're even arguing this.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by e9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">please tell me who you are when I see you so I can steer clear of your judgement on track</TD></TR></TABLE>

Considering that you think wider tires slow a car down, then your judgement is certainly more suspect.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 11:00 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (.RJ)

Yeah, what is there to argue? If bolt-in cages were just as good, why would anyone spend the money on a custom weld-in one? For the bling?
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 11:02 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (slammed_93_hatch)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed_93_hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bolt in cages in race cars are scarey and show a complete lack of safty for yourself.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by e9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats a pretty broad statement. </TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And a true one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by e9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think you should call up kirk and tell them there cages are scary and don't fit</TD></TR></TABLE>

try as I might I can't comprehend how this comment applies to anything I've said about the original coment

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A cage that is bolted in to the chassis will never fit as well as one that is custom fit and welded in with the seat mounted and measurements taken for the driver. It will also never be as strong or stiff. Period.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sscguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, what is there to argue? If bolt-in cages were just as good, why would anyone spend the money on a custom weld-in one? For the bling? </TD></TR></TABLE>

And motons are better than konis that doesn't make the konis unfit. Especially when the oldest and most regarded orginization in america even recommends certain brands.

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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 11:05 AM
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Default Re: Bolt In Cage Questions (e9)

I believe slammed is saying that in a racing situation, the bolt-in variety of cage is so insufficient as to be dangerous.
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