So...
I ordered a 10 point roll cage from A.R.T. for a 97 EK (hatch) and they do not have a template for measurements.
Now, before you guys start with the laziness comments-
I am a chick (and yes I do know how to use a measuring tape)
obviously I do not want to measure incorrectly nor am I sure how to account for narrowing. Is there anyone out there who has a template with measurements for the main hoop/halo/windowbars ? I've done my homework scoured the internet and HT and have found nothing but roll cage ad's.
I rarely post because of people's smart -*** comments;and am hoping someone reputable will respond.

I'd appreciate the help.
Thanks guys...

 

You already ordered the cage? What exactly are you trying to measure? Is it a pre made cage your trying to fit?

 

A hatching coupe are basically the same size from the rear side windows forward so the only issue you can run into is the rear bars being too short . Ask them how long the rear bars are and just measure the length from the back of the seats to the rear of the car. They usually make all the bars a little longer than they need to be just for this reason.

 

The cage tubing was supposed to be pre-bent and; but unfortunately the the distributor only had the template for a 92-95. So I have to wait untill my cage guy can take the measurements; and then the distributor has to pre-bend the tubing/ then ship it. It sucks; and it will set me back at least 2-3 weeks. With EK's being such a widely-used body style you would think that these manufacturer's would have more diverse templates (other than your typical big block's). But sh*t happens. So the waiting games
begin. Thanks for the tip about the rear bars- Blue.

 

Order one from S&W race cars or Ken's kustom and be done with it.

If I was to have to measure everything, I'd just rent a bender locally and make it myself.

 

I called S&W they neeeded measurements too. I ended up going with A.R.T. (they also needed measurements; but at least I saved a few bucks on the same molly cage)
I'll post pics once everything in.

 

that's starnge because I have a 96-00 kit from them.

 

For the trouble you might as well have one built. How much are you paying for a pre bent cage?

Here's a pic of my bro's bimmer I was working on today for inspiration lol!

 

I bought and installed the broke dick racing pre bent chromoly cage for my srt4. Never again will I buy a pre bent cage. Ill gladly have a shop with the proper equipment do it. I'm not a fan of how my halo turned out. It seems the cage was designed around a much taller person and to make my halo fit I had to shorten in, but it turn it had to be mounted lower. Thankfully I still have clearance from my head and the halo, but I would have liked more. My cars track only anyways so if I'm driving it ill be Wearing a helmet.

 

I don't think i've ever seen a pre bent cage that fit the way it should. Getting one made is worth the money to have it done right. The only advice I would give is to know your stuff before having a shop build one. My first cage was in my 90' CB7 and knowing what I do know I would have never paid for it. Complete pile of crap but I didnt know any better and was happy with it.

I see shops around my area build terrible cages and people think there great because they don't know any better. An example is a "Drift shop" local to me that has an E36 bmw with a main hoop that is atleast 6" away from the B pillars! But it's covered up with a fancy dimple die guesst of course! No nodes and the a-pillar bars are 1" below where the x-brace meets up putting the main hoop in shear and would probably kill anyone with a substantial Crash. Oh well lol that's my rant of the day!

 

can you cancel your order? after getting pre bent tubes, you'll still need someone to fab and weld in the cage. Might as well start looking for shops that will make you a cage. A basic 6 point cage should go for around $1k give or take depending on the area and the shop.

 

I ended up having to purchase straight tubing/cancel my pre-bent order and having my cage guy custom bend everything. I guess it worked out for the best because now I know the fit will be perfect; But so much for saving time by buying a pre-bent cage; It ended up taking almost 10 days longer.
Paid $504 -Im waiting for a price adjustment since they don't have to bend anything now.
Thanks guys- I'll post pics when she's done.

 

Well sounds like you are more happier with your new choice and Im sure you will be...

Looking forward to the pics...
And Props for a 'chick' (as you put it) to be into all these 'gooidies'... And cars of course...

 

i have a prebent from sw and its awesome and its a tight fit probaly 2 fingers between cage and panels

 

thats not that tight of a fit actually

 

Lol that's damn tight for a prebent from what I've been seeing! And I'd still be able to remove/install my panels

 

haha, ok, for a prebent kit, yes...i stand corrected

 

Lol I've seen some you could climb around lmao