Next month it's finally time to get the rollbar in my car, well at least start ordering parts (will also need seats and harness) For the people who have seen both or know about both of them, what one is better (your opinion or fact) what are the differences between the two, anything you can tell me about the two.

It seems Kirk is more popular from what i have searched on here, but want to know about their compitition.

Also its just a HPDE/Time Attack car, some day it will be a W2W car of some kind. Also still currently daily driven, but will be a weekend toy only once the roll bar goes in.

 

If you went custom, you could just add to the cage later. A custom roll bar would cost a bit more but the fitment would be alot better. Something to think about.

 

differences can be seen in various pics - they use the same materials

Kirk offers a few different configurations (such as the X brace) but that is not legal for race use

Autopower sacrifices a bit more passenger room

As I recall, Kirk is bolt in only, Autopower can be had as bolt in or weld in. If the car is going to see competition use as it's primary function, weld in is much better

 

Whichever you choose, make sure their cage/bar is current with the recent changes in the SCCA GCR. I just sent a guy home from January's race at Auto Club Speedway because his Autopower roll cage (bought brand new) was 1.5" x .120" wall and the rules require1.75" x .095" wall for his 2,700 lb. E30 BMW.

Also, be aware that the roll bar requirements in the SCCA Solo2 rule book conflict with the GCR regarding tubing OD and wall thickness. If you ever, ever plan to move up from a bar to a cage, build to the GCR rules and then argue with any of the Solo2 techs that might bring it up.

And, Kirk sells a weld-in version of their 350Z roll bar and cage.

 

I'm looking forward to the day I can afford to put in a Kirk bolt in kit w/ seats..

Please post up some pics after you have made your choice.

 

i have an autopower, and it was weld in, dont believe they have the option for bolt in. And i heard the opposite that kirk sacrifices more passenger space due to the way it attaches to the car. If i were to do it over again, i would go custom, but at least the good thing about autopower is they sell the pieces if you wish to convert your roll bar to a 6 point.

 

I believe Kirk also have additional weld in parts too. I was thinking bolt in, then weld it, but most likely want weld in.

 

I have a Kirk and it does indeed reduce passenger space. I also would do a custom weld-in if I had to do it again.

 

What is wrong with having the X brace? I ask because I have one sitting in my garage, but if it isn't legal I'm not going to install it...

 

i went custom didnt want to do any shortcuts

 

The X brace is not legal by itself because it isnt considered a rear brace. Here is the NASA CCR rule. The rear braces must extend back to the strut towers.

15.6.11 Rear Braces
The main hoop must have two (2) braces extending to the rear. The braces shall be
attached as near as possible to the top of the main hoop, and no more than six (6)
inches below the top. The braces must not contain any bends*. There must be at
least 30 degrees between the plane of the main hoop and the plane of the rear braces.
The main hoop rear braces shall be installed to form no more than a one hundred five
(105) degree angle or no less than a seventy-five (75) degree angle with the main hoop
when viewed from the top. The main hoop braces may be mounted at the rear shock
mounts or suspension pickup points (providing that the braces remain in compliance with
all other sections of the CCR). They may go through any rear bulkhead(s) provided the
bulkhead(s) is sealed around the cage braces. *There may be certain exceptions
allowed for cars that cannot possible meet this “no bend” requirement. One exception is
listed [Ref15.6.11.A)]. Other exceptions may be made (not guaranteed) if all of the
required bars meet the specifications for a vehicle in the next heavier weight
classification and the alternative design is submitted to the NASA National Office for
special allowance.

 

I have the autopower weld-in bar, and if I could to do it all over again, I'd go custom as well. The autopower unit as a bent diagonal bar, which I don't care much for. I also had to have the welder remove the harness bar, and raise it because the angle of the shoulder harnesses was too steep. Also, the bases of the main hoop is welded to rather thin metal. My welder had to reinforce the connection.

 

Len, go custom. You'll thank us later if/when something bad happens.

 

So if I added rear braces that came off at a 90 degree angle, it would be NASA legal correct?

Sorry for the thread jack...

 

I am not a qualified NASA cage inspector but how would you get bars to come off at 90 degrees in a Z?

 

Yes, 75 to 105 degree angle to the main hoop as viewed from above is good.

 

they offer both weld in and bolt in

 

Well called John at Beta Motorsports and got the Kirk 4 point ordered. Now i have about a month to get seats picked out.

 

I recently purchased a Cobra Evolution Pro and love it. If you have time to wait a few weeks for shipping this is a deal that may make sense for you: http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motors...ness/1761/6967

You should be able to get the seat, harnesses, mounting bolts, and side mounts all for about $1k shipped. Only problem I had was Sube Sports wouldn't/couldn't sell me the Cobra base mount/bracket since I purchased from outside of the US. I would've loved to have purchased from them but the demontweeks deal was to good to pass up.

In the end it worked out, I went w/ a bolt-on bracket (I had to do some drilling but it worked out ok):
http://www.425motorsports.com/produc...402&brand=1343

For the H/N restraint I went w/ the DefNDer, got an awesome deal from Discovery Parts (NASA Sparkle Pony discount): http://www.discoveryparts.com/cgi-bi...efnder&pid=979

I didn't realize how expensive it would be do simply "get a racing seat," and I still need to buy the damn rollbar!