Half or full cage
Moderator: martauto
-
Cotty
- Hartge Crew
- Posts: 5926
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Orpington, Kent
I want to put together a basic track day toy. Nothing serious just a 325i with some safety kit like harnesses and bucket seats. I would like a cage but do I need full cage if I am using harnesses or will a half (rear) cage be adequate?

-
harry_p
- Engaged to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 5313
- Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: norfolk
i wouldnt want a harness without a cage, and i wouldnt want a cage without harnesses. if youre going to the trouble of fitting the rear bit of a cage, i wouldnt hesitate to do the forward sections and make it a full cage. e30 pillars are pretty thin, and i know that i wouldnt far rather have a cage there helping hold the front of the roof up should the worst happen! you'll also benefit from far greater shell stiffness improvements than the rear alone would give, plus you'd be able to fit doorbars.
you might not think theyre vital on a trackday toy, but i've seen a lot of cars lose it and hit things sideways.
you might not think theyre vital on a trackday toy, but i've seen a lot of cars lose it and hit things sideways.
cheers,
harry
harry
-
ROC
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 615
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Northants
I agree with harry, got to be a full cage (with harness bars) 
-
Boyraceruk
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 236
- Joined: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: Sheffield
Yeah, not much more work for a lot more benefit. Full cage or nothing.
-
Cotty
- Hartge Crew
- Posts: 5926
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Orpington, Kent
I definately want a harness bar.ROC wrote:I agree with harry, got to be a full cage (with harness bars)

-
finite
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:00 pm
I have a half cage in mine, it is a lot of extra work to fit the front half if you're doing a weld in. I'm not a fan of bolt in cages having seen far too many cages that wouldn't stand up to a low speed smash let alone anything at pace. A good cage should be CDS steel minimum (T45 is better if you can afford it), weld in with no reverse bends (tubes bending back on themselves).
Custom cages are a great company for providing anything from just the basic "clubman" type cages all the way to full FIA approved 6 point +.
While I agree with the previous posts, full cage is better than half, don't be fooled into a "full" cage that's just a badly designed bolt in. A well designed rear cage constructed of CDS or T45 and welded in by a professional welder (preferably with cage experience) will do you far more good than a POS full cage. Having said that obviously a full propper weld in will do better than just the rear.
Custom cages are a great company for providing anything from just the basic "clubman" type cages all the way to full FIA approved 6 point +.
While I agree with the previous posts, full cage is better than half, don't be fooled into a "full" cage that's just a badly designed bolt in. A well designed rear cage constructed of CDS or T45 and welded in by a professional welder (preferably with cage experience) will do you far more good than a POS full cage. Having said that obviously a full propper weld in will do better than just the rear.
-
Cotty
- Hartge Crew
- Posts: 5926
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Orpington, Kent
Cheers for the advice.

-
Black_Potato
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 774
- Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Colchester
I'm removing a Safety devices CDS 6 point bolt-in cage with removable door bars thats in pretty much imaculate condition shortly should you be interested PM me..
It fits infront of the dash so you dont need to cut into your dash as you do with most cages.
Re protection, I dont disagree that a full roll in would give you the best protection but PBMW cars run these 6 point bolt in cages and loads have been written off through impact damage or rolling and they stand up very well.
I wont mention specific makes but I would avoid half cages or anything cheaper than a 6 point safety devices one.
Oh and harness bar is part of the cage.
It fits infront of the dash so you dont need to cut into your dash as you do with most cages.
Re protection, I dont disagree that a full roll in would give you the best protection but PBMW cars run these 6 point bolt in cages and loads have been written off through impact damage or rolling and they stand up very well.
I wont mention specific makes but I would avoid half cages or anything cheaper than a 6 point safety devices one.
Oh and harness bar is part of the cage.
-
Cotty
- Hartge Crew
- Posts: 5926
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Orpington, Kent
I might be interested, is it a sunroof or non sunroof version?
So why are you removing the cage?
So why are you removing the cage?

-
Black_Potato
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 774
- Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Colchester
I'm pretty sure its non sunroof, but I can confirm if needed.
Its being removed as I'm re shelling my car and the donor already has a Safety Devices Bolt in so this one is spare.
Its being removed as I'm re shelling my car and the donor already has a Safety Devices Bolt in so this one is spare.
-
N00b
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 3954
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Purgatory
Even putting the safety issues to one side, the above is reason enough on its own IMHO to go full cage.harry_p wrote:you'll also benefit from far greater shell stiffness improvements than the rear alone would give.
-
Brian28
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1596
- Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Bournemouth
Richard, if this chap doesn't have the cage let me know please, TTRS 318is now looking a definite possibility 
For sale - E30 320i racer project - sold.
-
Black_Potato
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 774
- Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Colchester
Brian you have PM
-
Cotty
- Hartge Crew
- Posts: 5926
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Orpington, Kent
I have not found a suitable base vehicle yet so you can have it you wantBrian28 wrote:Richard, if this chap doesn't have the cage let me know please, TTRS 318is now looking a definite possibility

-
clegy1
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 40
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:00 pm
i have a 320 with a 2.5 in with 97000 on the clock for sale very clean with cobra monaco s buckets, sparco harneses, half a cage already welded in but have the front half to put in just havent got round to doing it yet, has had some engine mods like 6 branch and closed induction kit. its all striped out with a 45 gallon alloy tank in the boot and fuel pipes running through the car
it has all the 2.5 running gear. just past mot and i have just taxed it. i was looking for around £2750 only selling dues to just having A baby and no time for it amy quetions or interest please call dave on 07590058712
it has all the 2.5 running gear. just past mot and i have just taxed it. i was looking for around £2750 only selling dues to just having A baby and no time for it amy quetions or interest please call dave on 07590058712
-
clegy1
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 40
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:00 pm
o it also has full pollycarb windows with the little squre hole sliders i have just spent over 2000 on it in the last year to get it to where she is now
-
N00b
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 3954
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Purgatory
^^^
Cars for sale section?
Cars for sale section?
