Heigo Roll Bars/Cages
01-14-2003, 05:32 PM
#1
Driver Carries No Cash
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Heigo Roll Bars/Cages
Has anyone had any experiences with <a href="http://www.heigo.de/2.html" target="_blank">Heigo</a> roll bars or roll cages? In the US they're marketed by <a href="http://www.fvd-usa.com/" target="_blank">FVD</a>.
I have a C4 Cabriolet and I'm prohibited from participating in PCA Driver's Ed events without proper roll-over protection.
I plan to install a pair of Sparco 6 point harnesses. I am not going to install a submarine strap through the floor as you would in a traditional 5 point setup. I'm planning on using an "english harness". Essentially you sit on the straps and it comes up between your legs and into the release mechanism.
I am also planning on removing the rear seat backs and running the shoulder straps over the roll bar and into the rear passenger seatbelt mounting points. Does anyone have any feedback on this installation method vs just wrapping the harnesses around the roll bar.
I have a C4 Cabriolet and I'm prohibited from participating in PCA Driver's Ed events without proper roll-over protection.
I plan to install a pair of Sparco 6 point harnesses. I am not going to install a submarine strap through the floor as you would in a traditional 5 point setup. I'm planning on using an "english harness". Essentially you sit on the straps and it comes up between your legs and into the release mechanism.
I am also planning on removing the rear seat backs and running the shoulder straps over the roll bar and into the rear passenger seatbelt mounting points. Does anyone have any feedback on this installation method vs just wrapping the harnesses around the roll bar.
01-14-2003, 06:47 PM
#2
Technical Specialist
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I'd much rather have the DAS rollbar (or equivalent) where the diagonals are welded, not bolted together (as it appears on the FVD site).
In my coupe, I run the shoulder belts over the DAS rollbar and connect them to eye bolts in place of the rear safety belts.
In my coupe, I run the shoulder belts over the DAS rollbar and connect them to eye bolts in place of the rear safety belts.
01-14-2003, 07:21 PM
#3
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I'll certainly give the DAS bars a second look. (it's been a while since I checked them out)
One of the nice features of the Heigo bars is the ability to unbolt the cross bar in the unfortunate and unlikely event that you need to actually use the rear area of the car.
Why did you choose to mount the harnesses to eyebolts? I figured that the seat belt mount points were "sufficiently hardened" and logically would be the mount point of choice.
One of the nice features of the Heigo bars is the ability to unbolt the cross bar in the unfortunate and unlikely event that you need to actually use the rear area of the car.
Why did you choose to mount the harnesses to eyebolts? I figured that the seat belt mount points were "sufficiently hardened" and logically would be the mount point of choice.
01-14-2003, 07:59 PM
#4
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"><strong>Why did you choose to mount the harnesses to eyebolts? I figured that the seat belt mount points were "sufficiently hardened" and logically would be the mount point of choice.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Terry,
The eyebolts are screwed into the stock seat belt holes for each seat. It's a standard SAE thread. I like the eyebolts, as I can unclip the belts and take them out between events, so things are a little neater.
Regarding taking the cross bars out if you want to use the rear seats, you'd also want to put seat belts back in, and you'd want to have the right type of foam covering all exposed metal surfaces. However, that approach would also leave the stubs that the crossbars attach to exposed, which might really injure someone if they hit one in an accident.
The eyebolts are screwed into the stock seat belt holes for each seat. It's a standard SAE thread. I like the eyebolts, as I can unclip the belts and take them out between events, so things are a little neater.
Regarding taking the cross bars out if you want to use the rear seats, you'd also want to put seat belts back in, and you'd want to have the right type of foam covering all exposed metal surfaces. However, that approach would also leave the stubs that the crossbars attach to exposed, which might really injure someone if they hit one in an accident.
01-14-2003, 10:12 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
You might want to double check your regions DE requirements with regard to roll bar tubing geometry. My region (San Diego) requires 1.75" diameter and 0.120" wall thickness. Last time I looked at the Heigo bars they were only 1.5" diameter and 0.090" wall thickness. One other option for a roll bar is Kirk Racing, I have their bar in my C4 Cab, they cost quite a bit less then DAS. Either vendor may be able to make up a bar for you that has a removable harness bar, but Bill is certainly right about needing to put seat belts back in and padding the remaining tubes. Even then it seems, IMHO, dangerous to have someone riding so close to the steel bars for me.
As far as the sub-straps go, you might consider a 6 point harness system where the sub straps bolt in using the same bolts currently holding down the seat rails. Again, check your PCA region's rules as this may not be legal everywhere.
OF course standard disclaimers apply, no affiliation, etc....
As far as the sub-straps go, you might consider a 6 point harness system where the sub straps bolt in using the same bolts currently holding down the seat rails. Again, check your PCA region's rules as this may not be legal everywhere.
OF course standard disclaimers apply, no affiliation, etc....
01-15-2003, 12:54 AM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Just a FYI. I took the rear seats out of my 993 cab yesterday in preperation for a full bolt in roll cage. The seat back weights 40lbs and is a serious pain in the a** to take out. No way around tearing up the carpet (which will be hidden once you put your seat back in. The DAS bar is a nice set up and you can take it out in just under 30 min. I may have mine for sale if they cant use the DAS as part of the project. It will fit your car without any problem.
01-15-2003, 02:09 AM
#7
Race Car
I will jump in on the DAS discussion to say that DEFINITELY that would be my choice if I just wanted a four point bar installed. 
I have seen TWO Heigo setups, up close, one installed in an RSA, the other a regular C2...IMHO, the setup seemed "cheesy" and the price is a bit too much when you compare their setup to the unbelievable craftsmanship of a DAS bar.
I was convinced that I wanted a DAS bar when I found out that racing with NASA requires a full cage. <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />
I really don't want a full cage, but I'm committed at this point and want to make the car legal to show up at ANY sanctioned event, whether it be SCCA, NASA or PCA Club Racing.
I have seen TWO Heigo setups, up close, one installed in an RSA, the other a regular C2...IMHO, the setup seemed "cheesy" and the price is a bit too much when you compare their setup to the unbelievable craftsmanship of a DAS bar.
I was convinced that I wanted a DAS bar when I found out that racing with NASA requires a full cage. <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />
I really don't want a full cage, but I'm committed at this point and want to make the car legal to show up at ANY sanctioned event, whether it be SCCA, NASA or PCA Club Racing.
