Opinions on my car

[Guffinator]

As you guys know (or might not know) I have an '02 Z28.

I've been contemplating just going ahead and installing a roll bar. I just have a hard time doing something so drastic to a basically new car.

Let me hear your opinions.

[White90GT]

Don't do it! If this is your daily driver, it will be a big annoyance. I have seen some custom cages made that aren't very obtrusive (I guess thats the word), but you'll spend a pretty penny to get one made. You might check with Tony Whatley (nineball on ls1tech), I think his is all custom and isn't too bad. You won't be able to carry passengers in the rear safely.
IMO, if you're not pretty deep into the 11s, like mid 11s, its not worth it. When you put it in, unless you go chromoly, you will lose at least a tenth, hell I lost .2 almost .3 when I put in the cage and subframes, but it is a steel setup.
I know it gets annoying having to hit the brakes at the end of the track all the damn, I was there. But remember you'll also need a five point harness and fire jacket which will add another $120 or so to the cost of the roll bar.

[Blue91]

If you get one, make it a bolt-in one so it can be removed easier later if you'd like.

Wolfe Racecraft has some sweet ones ( http://www.wolferacecraft.com/pages/F-body_part/fbrollbar.htm ). The price is a little high, but you get what you pay for when it comes to them. I have their bar in my 91. We put an S&W in Cristina's car, and it sucks in comparison to my wolfe one, fit wise.

You can also get it with swingout door bars, so you can completely remove them when you're daily driving, and just install them when you go to the track. Brent does this with his vert.

The entire thing is NHRA legal EXCEPT for one part. The rear bars on their setup bolt to the main hoop. To be legal, they have to be welded. However, you can get past this by just putting padding over the joint where the rear bars join the main hoop. Ben has done this for 3 years now.

Btw, Wolfe is in Dallas, so IF you chose them, you could go pick it up if the gas money is cheaper than shipping.

[Guffinator]

Well here's a few other bits of info

Yes I daily drive it...but I'm planning on buying a second vehicle here in the near future for that purpose. The Z will become more of a "toy" at that point.

I don't give a rats ass about the back seat or if people can fit back there :D

I guess I'm getting old but I feel that the car is capable of killing me at this point (duh) and I am for the first time in my life actually putting saftey ahead of everything else. The car has the potential to be really fast basically at any time that I choose..but because of fear I choose to run it much slower.

[Blue91]

I still say go with the wolfe (bolt in or weld in, your choice), and get the swing out bars.

:-)

[Saleen91]

I did a bolt in for the same reasons Fred is mentioning. Now that I know the car won't ever been getting any slower I want a weld in roll bar. But the piece of mind in that you can have a roll bar and easily remove it if it "isn't for you" is an awesome compromise.

Just my 4.02

[Guffinator]

I totally agree with that. No telling what the future holds and at some point I may want to sell or trade the car in. I'll definitley do a removable bar.

[Redsnk95]

Guff: Do you know Aric Potter, he has a white 99 T/A from Baytown? We put a Wolfe Racecraft bolt-in 6pt in his car. I must say the fit was AWESOME!!! Aric is one of the pickest people I know and he was very happy with the kit. We also put a Wolfe Racecraft bolt in my buddies 89 LX, and the fit was perfect. And like Fred said, just put some padding over the rear bar/halo mount.

troy

[FE_rex]

Here's a link for some cool swingout bar hardware. http://www.cachassisworks.com/

[nintylx]

Check with Jim at JBZ race cars in tomball.He only does chromolly
and is not the cheep guy, but will put him above wolfe and just bellow Jerry Bickell. Talk with a few people like (outlaw98,TxBandit)FErex you have seen some of his work.Also he did a Super Stock 01 camerslow turnd out great!!!

[FE_rex]

The guy does killer work and welds beautifully

Allan check pm's if you're still up

[HoustonLX]

Originally posted by Redsnk95
Guff: Do you know Aric Potter, he has a white 99 T/A from Baytown? We put a Wolfe Racecraft bolt-in 6pt in his car. I must say the fit was AWESOME!!! Aric is one of the pickest people I know and he was very happy with the kit. We also put a Wolfe Racecraft bolt in my buddies 89 LX, and the fit was perfect. And like Fred said, just put some padding over the rear bar/halo mount.

troy

I know Eric. Its funny I met him before I even knew we shared the same hobby. I actually used to work with him back when we both got hired with Reliant Energy around the same time. At that time, he had the Mustang. I ran into him a lil while back in South Houston on a Friday night. He drove the TA out straight from HRP where he had run a high 10 earlier in the night. Has he sold the TA yet? I couldn't believe when I say the for sale sign in the window. That car is clean as hell and fast to boot. If I remember correctly, his TA has never even been driven in the rain. I guess he wants to see what he can make a ZO6 do now! :D

[Redsnk95]

Well the for sale deal is off. Aric said that if the car wasn't sold by Dec 31st 2002 he was keeping it. Yes the car has not seen rain yet...still very very clean. The car should be back out in about a month..same motor but a little faster...hehe.

troy