E30 rollcages *re-opened*

[Beemer Redeemer]

Re-opened - scroll down

Weld in multipoint cages

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Guys, just bought a 320i 2dr which im evolving into a 'budget racer' so to speak.

for the guys with roll cages; what types have you got, make ? and where from etc. rough price guide ?

been looking around quickly and see there are weld in ones and bolt in ones, multi point ones etc etc. I must have one thats FIA approved (but it looks like most companies produce to that standard anyway)

saftey devices look like the market leaders totalling about Ԛ£550 for a front and rear bolt in cage. whereas OMP do 6 point bolt in cage (front and rear) FIA approved for just over Ԛ£300. Is that going to be pants for the money or is it just a good deal etc ?

thanks for you time in advance, James.

[Taffy]

The cage is THE most important part of any track/race car & get the best you can afford, your life may depend on it. Personally I would go for a weld in multipoint

SD make a bolt in one & we used it last year before upgrading & it was ok but they're not cheap at Ԛ£570.

Can't really comment on the OMP but personally i'm not a fan of them, I believe Karl on here has fitted one.

Custom Cages do a very good Weld in which we (along with alot of others) use in the Kumho's for about Ԛ£480. But they're a shite company to deal with so make sure you have it writing what you're ordering. Don't believe the crap that has been written about these, they are FIA approved & I know 2 people that have been saved by these cages. If you want to splash out the T45 one is even better but is Ԛ£300 more & only about 15kg's less.

[karlp]

I have fitted an OMP 6 point to an E30 325 and at the moment I am having fitted an OMP T45 full weld in cage into an E30 M3.
The bolt in is easy to do and fits well (even with the sunroof). You will need extra metal plates on the floor panel and OMP seem to forget these. The rear part of the cage fits onto the rear wheel arches - which is not exactly one of the strongest points. It is reasonably priced and is FIA.

The OMP weld in cage is cheaper than Custom Cages and comes part assembled so most of the important weld points have alreadt been done. The only disadvantage with the pre assembled cage is that a much larger panel has to be cut out of the rear firewall to get the legs into the boot area.

The cost to install a fully weld in cage is about Ԛ£700 and the bolt in about Ԛ£300 - Ԛ£350.

Custom Cages will put the cage in for you (price above) but if you intend doing it yourself make sure you get a competant welder otherwise you are wasting your time.

Karl

[Geeman]

I have an OMP 6 point bolt-in cage in my track car that I just use for fun.

Fits in no problems and I think they are fine for track days.

Mine DID come with the extra metal plates too.

Giles.

[davemullender]

We mostly use the SD cages in the Milltek (Seloc) series, quality cages although they can be variable fits!

One thing to bear in mind is some series have regulations specific to cages above and beyond MSA spec so if you're thinking of racing it, its worth checking the series you might be entering before spending out on your hard-earned

Dave

[Beemer Redeemer]

some very useful and good advice there, cheers guys. Something to think about now before going to buy.

Ive emailed a few companies about price and availability but doubt ill get a response til tuesday at the latest now.
Anyone of the top of their head remember how long their cage took to come through / delivery from point of order. I am estimated 1 month hopefully no longer ?

[Geeman]

A week for mine from http://www.needforspeed.co.uk

I've had two cages from there now.

[l88eef]

hi i can offer weld in cage fitment for Ԛ£500 a cage, i have 15years exp and have fitted many cages to a high standard in all makes of car, for more info on cage fitment or shell preperation please call 07779 956804 and ask for andrew. AJH motorsport fabrication&welding.

[Rearwheel_nick]

do any of the cages mentioned here go through the dash? or do they bend the front legs so they clear the dash?

[Taffy]

Custom cages go through the dash but comes up from the floor & then goes through so it's neat & it then triangulates to the front turrets, it also goes to the rear turrets, to my mind this is the best cage bar none unless you want to spend thousands.

[Geeman]

My OMP one bends clear of the dash... only problem is the headlight pull switch catches on it...

Also, the sunblinds are un-useable, as is the manual sunroof mechanism and the seat-belts... though I reckon you could get these to be working with some persuasion...

[Rearwheel_nick]

ah its ok my sunroof is gona go bye bye anyway, i dont have any sunblinds....hmm im not sure if id prefer one that actually went through the dash or not, when ive been in cars with cages where the front legs bend clear of the dash, the distance i have to have my seat from the pedals means it makes it a bit of a job actually climbing in.......

[Geeman]

Piccie time then... hang on

[Geeman]

I've got loads of room to get in and out in mine...



Hope this helps...

Giles.

[Rearwheel_nick]

cool cheers for the pics.

i really like the colour of your car looks much nicer than mine.

i think maybe i should keep looking till i find one that goes through the dash. going for a sort of purpose built racer feel, aswell as it being my only car it is definately lookin pretty close on the headlight switches....

[Taffy]

Here's ours, the cage crosses in the middle of the door & runs down the front pillars & then runs through the dash at where the pillar meets it & then across the front of the bulkhead & also to the floor & to the turrets. It's a pain in the arse to get in & out but it's desgined for rigidity & safety so that's not important, i'd climb through the boot if it meant being safe!



If you're worried about the ease of getting in & out then i wouldn't bother with a cage & spenf the extra on decent shocks

[Rearwheel_nick]

oooh lovely, is that a custom built cage? or an expensive product from someone.

i'd be much happier with door bars like that as opposed to the front bars that go down in front of the dash.

[Taffy]

That's the Custom Cages cage Ԛ£480 for the CDS & Ԛ£765 for the T45 jobbie. It' stronger & lighter than any of the opposition as it's a full multipoint FIA jobbie. Custom Cages can be found in 85% of the Kumho race cars including the E36 & E46 M3's & most of the Britcar M3's as well, it's simply the best but you'll need someone very good to put it all together & weld it in & it's best done with the roof removed so it'll cost but at the end of the day it'll save your life if you ever put yourself in the position that you'll need a cage

[Rearwheel_nick]

wow sounds impressive

best get saving my pennies if i want something like that.

thanks for the info mate

[JimmyC]

Just ordered my custom cages cage sounds like the business and from reading around leaps and bounds about the rest.

Just got to get it fitted now

[Sjoerd320i]

I really like taffys one

lol at Geeman electric windows in a track car

[Motorhole]

Has anyone had any dealings with safety devices?? PPC Mag had one fitted to their track-day 325i, but with no indication of the cost...

[Widge]

Thought saftey devices had gone under?

[JimmyC]

back in business again, see here

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=11764

[Beemer Redeemer]

Christ, i started this thread 2.5 years ago and im just getting round to ordering a cage now.....

Car is 99% ready for the cage now. Just finishing the OSR 1/4 panel.



So ive decided on a multipoint weld-in, something like Gary's or Jimmy's.
I know yours is Custom Cages Gary, is yours also CC Jimmy ?

So its either the CC T45 with profiles ends.....




or


the OMP multi-point weld in (cr mo)


which ive found a picture of the cage (the bolt in version)


As you can see, the OMP cage looks like it picks up off the diff mount area and also touches on the rear trans tunnel/centre back seat area.

Also it looks like it comes partially assembled/welded, as someone mentioned in an above post - but that could be just the bolt in version.


Has anyone bought or dealt with this OMP cage ?

Both cages have pro's and con's i guess. Its just working out which is best for my needs.

Cheers
James

[handpaper]

I've just been looking at the VLN technical regs and welded-in cages are forbidden. I'm not sure why this should be so.

[northloop]

Strange one that James .......

The drive I had was in a class that needed door cards etc in place. Perhaps it's something to do with the car having to remain close to standard without too many tie in points. Surely that can't be the case though.

Maybe they are worried about weld failure........that cant be right either.


I will see if I can find out

[handpaper]

The reg is HERE, page 8.
Mounts for a cage may be welded in, but the cage must be bolted to these mounts. Reading the relevant regulation, it seems they're worried about the cage being weakened by welding, which sounds like nonsense to me - cages are made from mild steel (those that aren't carbon ) and welded together!
A chat I had with Marc at TTE last month may provide a clue; in Germany you must buy a cage from somebody who has had it certified by TuV (or similar, can't remember now). Fabricating your own cage is not permitted, even for a road car.
Welding a cage in would change it slightly from the state in which it was certified, bolting it in using fixings provided would not, maybe that's why?
Marc seemed to have trouble with the very concept of a self-built cage, strange for someone who fits them himself.
I imagine he'd choke on his coffee if he saw my anti-roll bar mod

[Beemer Redeemer]

Strange they're worried about the cage being weaked by welding. Should only make the whole setup stronger.

What series is this for ?

[JimmyC]

James

What series are you going to be running in?

Jimmy

[Beemer Redeemer]

PBMW.

Thats the one your in right ?

Cheers
James

[JimmyC]

Yep that is indeed, in which case the CC T45 cage is against regs mate!! CDS only

I have the CC CDS cage, its a great cage but the parts supplied lead a little bit to be desired- if your a dab hand with a welder, and have some patience you'll be fine. Also we've found it easier to by lengths of uncut un profiled bar.

The OMP looks good, I have heard of a number of issues reguarding the OMP bolt in cages fitment, not heard anything on the weld in though.

If your looking at OMP we have a drivers deal set up with Automac uk (cabrio on here) drop me an email and i'll send you all the deal info (sorry cant really post a link here )

Nice to see someone else with a car in a similar stat to what mine was a month or so ago

My email BTW is jimmycuthbert@googlemail.com, i'll reply with my mobile if its easier to talk on the phone.

[zaust]

I can supply ethier, But I use the sd and highly recomend it...

[Beemer Redeemer]

Yep that is indeed, in which case the CC T45 cage is against regs mate!! CDS only

I have the CC CDS cage, its a great cage but the parts supplied lead a little bit to be desired- if your a dab hand with a welder, and have some patience you'll be fine. Also we've found it easier to by lengths of uncut un profiled bar.

The OMP looks good, I have heard of a number of issues reguarding the OMP bolt in cages fitment, not heard anything on the weld in though.

If your looking at OMP we have a drivers deal set up with Automac uk (cabrio on here) drop me an email and i'll send you all the deal info (sorry cant really post a link here )

Nice to see someone else with a car in a similar stat to what mine was a month or so ago

My email BTW is jimmycuthbert@googlemail.com, i'll reply with my mobile if its easier to talk on the phone.

Jimmy, thats brilliant news thanks for that. Its made the decision for me now, so thats alot easier.
I'm gunna go for the CC CDS
Made my day that has

I'm following your progress with alot of interest. Your's and Gary's pictures and great write ups have been great to read.
Ive purchased some new panels today....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/ ... CT9922.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/ ... CT9928.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/ ... CT9930.jpg

Hopefully order the cage next week then.
Cheers for your details Jimmy, i'm sure you'll be a useful contact indeed.

James

[Beemer Redeemer]

I can supply ethier, But I use the sd and highly recomend it...

Hi Zaust, thanks for the reply mate.
Ive decided to go for the CC and go direct to them as i'll be purchasing 2 cages.
Cheers
James