Official AutoPower Roll Bar Thread
 

Track Day /HPDE / Street

This thread is dedicated to only the AutoPower bolt-in roll bar using part no. 60952 (Race), 61952 (Street) & the sunroof R/B (Part no. 60952S). Note: I am not associated w/ AP & have never bought anything from them. My bar is a take-off & I suggest you go that route before buying new

Post up pics of your installs / questions regarding the installation & overall feel of the EVO uni-body after the installation (What a difference IMO)

How to install here by EGBeater:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...l#post10567078
Reinforcing Plates by Xtnct:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/mo...ng-plates.html

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.evo...27b6585656.jpg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.evo...27b6585656.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.evo...27b6585656.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.evo...27b6585656.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.evo...27b6585656.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.evo...27b6585656.jpg

I thought I was crazy when I went on the first drive after installing mine. What a difference!!! I got the 6-point, it does feel different, way stiffer, less torsonial flex. Love it.

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I've been thinking about it, but afraid of the reliability of the roll bar in an accident.
http://www.mustang-parts.org/news/wp...lett-carfx.jpg
http://www.mustang-parts.org/news/wp...ipped-over.jpg
this is a Bolt on autopower cage inside the mustang- if this happens and you are wearing a harness, you could very well be dead (luckily this guy was not!)

Not for nothing but its not that bad. Could have been worse.

Really! Cant believe it! I thought it would actually be better than nothing. Got a link to an article about the rollover?

the "cage" might provide rigidity, but the floor isn't going to hold the cage in during a rollover like the mustang. needs to be mounted to a stiff point not a floorpan

I see it now!

A couple of quick cell phone shots

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I would never ever use harnesses in a car that doesn't have at least a real half (4 pt. rear) cage in it (i.e. mounted so the force can be distributed properly instead of being pushed through the floor pan). Being stuck vertically in place when your roof is not = bad news. If that guy in the mustang had his harnesses on he would definitely be dead.

Just spoke w/ Don at AutoPower. He was not aware of the Mustang incident so I fwd'd the pics to him. He did note the following:
All of their bars are built to match SCCA specifications regarding tubing type, thicknesses, mounting pads & number & type of fasteners.
My thoughts are:

1.Its possible that bar was not an Autopower in which case AP was not aware of the incident.
2.It possible the installation was not proper. I.e. backer plates not used or fasteners not torqued
3. Obviously it was a high load impact in which case the RB may have saved the driver & a final roll or impact fatigued the floor pan enough to split

Anyway, God willing my EVO will never test those limits but Ill tell you this, After the install & torquing my fasteners to the hilt, this RB is now part of EVO. I can feel the body stiffness. I feel safer on the track with it vs w/out:D

it has to do with the fact that the bottom sections that secure to the floor do not have a big enough footprint to properly disperse the force. Also the floorpan isn't strong enough to hold that force. Real cages use a mounting point that welds into the step up into the area where the rear seat would sit down to the floorboard. It's not just a little footprint, it is attached to several structural points (including the floor plan) to properly disperse force and avoid just punching through like it did with the mustang.

In short, there is a reason NO BOLT IN is acceptable in ANY wheel to wheel racing. Always properly installed WELDED in cages. Again, being strapped in place and having your roof cave into you = death. To each his own, but I will never use harnesses w/o a true cage.

I remember this..there was a vid awhile back.. you can watch where the roll bar pushes through the bottom of the car and can be seen in this last pic

I understand your comment. Ive been working in a mechanical engineering dept for over 23 years

Lets be clear. These AP bolt-in's are "Track Day" bars & certainly not intended for full open racing conditions.

SCCA would not have sanctioned these installations if they didnt provide a level of protection.

It would require a (near death)high G load into the roof structure to push the "sandwiched" foot through the EVO floor pan IMO.

Again. Its a "TRACK DAY" RB:D

For the guys posting up their installations, please include a couple of overall car shots as well

Thanks for posting

Joe

Well going back to our unsecure cages, now we need sone form of seat delete ;)

ah this thread makes me want one even more now!