LocostUSA.com

Hello all

I am new to the board and have been lurking for awhile and doing lots of research on the locost 7. I am still in the planing process for a potential track only car. I have noticed that cages are built in the following manner. I am not sure who owns the first car in but the second car belongs to Moti. What is the reason for building the cage like this and not in line with the rest of the chassis. Is it because there is such a tight fit in the car already? Thanks





Mike G

The first one is Jeff Underwood's car, a beautiful example of how nice a home built locost can turn out.

The advantage behind the side bars that protrude outside the body is simply in the amount of protection that they offer.
If you ever sit in one of these cars you'll see that your elbow is hanging outside the body.
Say you managed to pack the side bars into the width of the frame, what protection do you think it will really give you?

JMHO,

Moti

Thank you sir.

I just read his site and this is his reasons why he made a bolt on cage

http://underwood-racing.com/roll_cage.htm
"The entire unit will be "bolt-on" for a variety of reasons. 1) It will be easier to finish and panel the car with the roll cage off. 2) There will be times when it will be handy to have it removed for maintenance on the car. 3) If the car ever gets wrecked, and the cage is still good and the frame is tweaked, it could be used on another frame."

His car is awesome! I also torn between a bolt on cage and a cage integrated into the frame.

A plus for bolt in is that you could make two cages. One hardcore cage for the track and one for driving on the streets.

A plus for integrated cage is its safer and stiffer.

Yup that's my conclusion as well... in my case it's not just elbow but the shoulder as well... I went with something like they have in the UK racing serie as a cage.



Cheers,

Fred

Fred your car looks great!!

Trackslut thanks for posting that info. I originally thought of building a car for the street and track day use but a friend of mine who is almost done building a Factory 5 cobra told me yesterday that a new law in CA might make the SB100 obsolete. He said he read it in a new kit car magazine that will not be any smog exemptions given after this year. If that's true I will make a track only car and weld in the cage. Although i do like the idea of the bolt on cage.

Thanks Blackwidow...

As for bolt on rollbar on a track locost... I think that you're better with a properlly welded cage. You can built-it integrated to the chassis, why will offer better strength, plus if you crash seriously enought that you require a complete chassis, I wouldn't be surprise if the cage would be tweaked.

Here a picture that really shows well why you need those bars sticking out.


Cheers,

Fred

I can see very clearly now why the bars are outside the car. Great picture. Thanks for posting that.

Mike G