CKarras

The DAS bar, if mounted with a plate, is supposedly good for SCCA and PCA club racing. so that is where I am headed.

Cupcar

So called "Grade 8" automotive bolts speced as a 150,000 PSI tensile strength bolt, the testing and standardization of which is suspect and they are widely counterfeited.

If you really want a strong bolt, find NAS 624 external wrenching 12 point bolts. They are aircraft grade 180,000 PSI bolts. Buy from a manufacturer such as SPS. Use them with the correct internally radiused washer.

Sloth

From what I understand, the washer is key in keeping the bolt head from scoring and preserve strength of the bolt.

Cupcar

Also, on the NAS bolt there is a radius of material in the angle between the head and the grip of the bolt (a 90 degree angle on other bolts). This radius improves the strength of the bolt but will hang up if the installation hole diameter is a net fit to the grip diameter.

Bob Rouleau

RR - is this for a track only car? A full cage is illegal on the street in most jurisdictions and dangerous because a minor accident can bash an unhelmeted head on the cage. The RS cage with bolt in front sections would be a good alternative but it is not a complete bolt in for a regular GT3.

I also suggest you consider the bar/cage/seat as a "system". The GT3 seats and the TE bar are designed as a system - the seat is designed to prevent your unhelmeted head from contacting the roll bar if you are rear ended. I don't know how the DAS bar works - it has a good reputation but I would be very wary of using it with any seat which could allow your head to come in contact with it should you be driving on the street.

If this is for a track only car then a full cage and proper seats afford the maximum protection as you know.

Best,

Larry Herman

Bob, the crossbar for the GT3 DAS unit is closer to the roofline, so it is actually farther away from your head than with the tequipment bar.

Cupcar

For those of you who may not of seen them here are pictures I took of the GT3RS roll bar installation: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-gt2-gt3-forum/158649-gt3-rs-roll-bar-pictures.html

BTW the part number for the GT3 RS bar is: 996.580.982.02, I think this includes installation parts.

Bob Rouleau

Thanks Larry. My concern would be if my head could hit the bar if I got smacked in the rear. That's more about the seat than the bar I think. If you get hit from behind you'll be thrown backwards very hard and in some cases, upwards as well. Sometimes the seat collapses and you hit a cross member (if there is one). That's why I stress the seat and bar are a system and need to work together.

An acquaintance of mine is an engineer specializing in this sort of thing and he sensitized me to some things I never thought about before.

CKarras

Is the summary of this, no roll bar unless you have the GT3 seats? Is it also the case that only the DAS bar with the mounting plate installed on the car does the trick for any sort of approved event (SCCA or PCA club racing)?

Bob Rouleau

Chris - is this a track only car which will only be driven while wearing a helmet? If so, you still need a proper (approved) race seat and possibly a back brace (depends on the seat).

If a street car you need a seat which will protect you from the roll bar. The GT3 seat is popular but there are plenty of others too. A good shop will be able to advise you.

CKarras

Bob, this will be 85% street and 15% track, but the track will be PCA DE events and not racing. Were I to get a rollbar, however, I'd be inclined to get one that is as effective as can be. Who knows, I could do club racing at some point I suppose. Getting a bolt-in bar with no, or not visible, modifications to the car is attractive.

For seats I'm happy to have further suggestions, particluarly as to how they feel on the street. The GT3 seats seem to be popular.

Bob Rouleau

I'm 80 percent track 20 percent street. I am happy with GT3 seats and the TE roll bar with Scroth harnesses i.e the clubsport kit from www.Carnewal.com