I need to make a decision. I currently have an Autopower rollbar in my 05 GSR. Has a sunroof now, eventually I will remove it either by going with an AMS CF roof or a delete panel of some sort. That will be a while down the road.

My car is mostly gutted, including the headliner. Without the headliner there is quite a bit of space between the top of the main hoop and the roof. I'm going to be selling my rollbar to a local guy and ordering a 6 point Autopower rollcage---can't afford full custom at this point.
I need to decide if I want to order it for a non-sunroof car or a sunroof car. Doesn't anyone know for sure the exact height difference?
I don't mind if I need to cut off the rear parts of the tracks, since I don't use it anyway.

 

Nevermind--after looking closer while warming the car up after work, there's no way a non-sunroof version will fit.

 

My suggestion is get a cage u really want. Cage if its real good, not changable. Save some money dont settle.

 

Read the official autopower roll bar thread and you will see how people use plates to make the bolt in cage better. If you have the roll bar already, you can just buy the front section and have it put together that way. It will require a little welding but not a lot.

With that being said, i agree with Rob. I would never skimp on buying a bolt in roll bar vs a "real" cage.

 

Thanks for the info, guys.
Fred

 

Agreed. A cage is a really bad thing to cheap out on. Better to do it once right.

 

The car will really only be used for HPDEs. You guys don't think a bolt in cage is sufficient?

 

I think a bolt in cage will work fine and i am not really sure there is much evidence to the contrary out there. (as long as you address the feet mounting points) In fact, bolt in cages are legal in just about any form of racing.

With that being said, what you get from a custom cage is just MUCH better fitment. The bolt in cages come down before the dash and mount to the floor. You will loose a lot of room and vision problems with it being like that. You will be amazed at how much the little details matter in comfort in regards to how a cage is constructed and how close they can get it to the body. (and away from your body)

A bolt in cage is better then nothing and is quite a bit cheaper then a custom cage. So, i can totally understand going that route.

 

If youre just doing track days why go the cage route. Sounds like you just need a roll bar (properly installed of course)

Not supposed be street driving w/ a full cage anyway

 

as someone who had the bolt in 6pt autopower..... get a real cage, this is not something you wanna cheap out on

 

why do you say that?

i still believe that the autopower is good middleground for an HPDE car. im just not ready to cut up/real cage the whole thing yet.

 

Jeremy look at this...
It is not a show cusco cage it is should be a race version. Its a different design from the a blue show cage. And somewhat "Certified" also.
Some pictures about it and how dangerous is when a **** hits a fan....
I do believe you can not compere the real weld in cage to the bolt in cage. Based on my own experience. Granted its not AP.

You can see the Certification and a drilled whole etc sticker on teh passenger side door B pillar tube.




more pics










these are the plates to secure the cage under on the car.





after accident

 

This is just my opinion so take it as you will. First, a cage is a silly thing to skimp on. Second, the pictures Robevo RS posted have nothing to do with rolling. If all you're trying to achieve is resistance to crushing the roof downward then I would say that bolt in cage is fine and certainly better than just a bar. You would have to have a pretty pricey cage to resist the directional impact that car took. Even with door bars and a dash bar that's a really low and weird angle.

 

I ran the autopower cage for 2 years in my Daily Driver/HPDE Evo. Obviously, it can't be compared to a race cage, but would offer some help in the event of a roll over (certainly better than nothing!)

 

did you run just the 4 point or the full 6 point?

i was contemplating the safety devices full bolt in (has feet welded to the door jams) but its tough to get in the us and weighs almost 100 pounds. the autopower 6 point isnt ideal imho, so im really leaning towards the 4 point just so i can run a seat and properly installed harness. i have no illusion that its as good as full cage.