Coochas

The cage in my '99 986 is almost done,...FINALLY!

My builder is Kenny Conway (www.conwayautoworks.com). He is the guy who also did Charlie and Colin's cages. While I am no expert, I think Kenny's work is amazing both from design and execution points of view. His TIG welds are perfection!

In the pics shown here, the door bars and harness bars are still absent. Also some of the welds around the floor plates and the rear shock towers need to be finalized.

Just thought I'd post a few pics to share my excitement. If my recent neck injury doesn't hold me back, I'll have the inaugural cruise at Monticello in 3 weeks!

VERBOTN

Very nice, not sure if a spec-rule limits this but I also connected the rear shock towers with a loop that hugs the rear bulkhead.

kgorman

Dave,

Very nice. Love it. Heal that neck!

Brian A.

Dave, that looks awesome. Kenny does great work, I can't wait to see it at NHMS on May 7th.

DrJupeman

Kenny does amazing work. I drove 23 hours to get my cage done by him. No grinding on those welds, he's that good! He also prides himself on making the cage tight to the structure and roofline which is a real plus in the headroom challenged Boxster.

onefastviking

5 bends in main hoop ?
Is it made from 1 size larger than required ?
That is the rule in NASA CCR,with prior approval from tech, should you plan on racing it there. Not sure of PCA's rule on this off the top of my head.

38D

PCA does not specify the number of bends.

In NASA you are allowed more bends in the main if you use the next size up in the table. Since these cars are under 2500lbs, the "normal" tube size is 1.5 x 0.095 DOM. In this case the main is 1.5 x 0.120 DOM. So short answer is that its legal. Here's the specific language in the rule book.

15.6.19 Bending Allowances
If the maximum number of bends permitted for any one bar is exceeded, all required components shall be made from the tubing size listed for the next heavier category and must be approved by a NASA race tech shop or scrutineer.

15.6.18 Roll Cage Tubing Sizes
For the purposes of determining roll bar tubing sizes, vehicle weight is as raced, but without fuel and driver. Note: There is an allowance of minus 0.010 inches on all tubing thicknesses. Minimum tubing size for the roll cage is:
1501 - 2500 lbs.
1.500” x 0.095” Chrome-moly / Seamless mild steel (CDS or DOM)
2501 - 3000 lbs.
1.500” x 0.120” Chrome-moly / Seamless mild steel (CDS or DOM)
1.750” x 0.095” Chrome-moly / Seamless mild steel (CDS or DOM)
...

trackjunky

So does this mean the main hoop cannot be matched to the curvature of the roof? (given that this long bend would be the fifth bend of course)

38D

Btw, I will take some pictures of my cage, but I have to say, Kenny's (www.conwayautoworks.com) work is amazing. I've seen some pictures of amazing bad welding recently, which make me appreciate Kenny's work all the more. Even his MIG welds on the base plates are a thing of beauty.

38D

See post #7 above

Gary R.

SPBox is under 2500 LB? Nice!

Brian P

The spec is 2650 but that includes the driver

onefastviking

Yeah I couldn't tell from the pics what size it was, especially the thickness ; )

+1 on the recent cage weld pics I have seen around here !

onefastviking

That's an interesting interpretation of the rules ! It sounds like something I would come up with, a definte grey area ! One constant bend would follow the rules, although it wouldn't be very safe. I, personally, always consider safety first, then I consider stiffness benefit. Straight main hoop with few bends is safer than many bends. Sometimes you can get away with two bends, four is easy, while 5 adds a slight amount of vision sometimes it usually is not really needed, especially if the seat is mounted at the proper(very low) level.
Just my opinion, take it for what you paid for it.

Coochas

I'm glad I posted....I'm learning alot about my cage!