Roll cage options

[siamak]

Im looking at getting a roll cage for my non-sunroof 180sx, as the yen right now is pretty good.

Had a few silly questions:


Cages aren't legal unless they are engineered correct?
What are the best brands to look into? Cusco etc?
Does anyone here get anyway with the cages with the rear windscreen x bar? Cop bait much?


http://www.nengun.com/cusco/roll-cage-steel-chrome-molly

Would love to hear thoughts and opinions.

Car is going to be used for street and minor track fun.

[Baggus]

I was under the impresion half cages are ok if the car is registered as a 2 seater and the rear seat belt bolt holes had a plate etc welded over it to prevent chopping and changing between cage and rear seats. And the cage has to be padded. Correct me if I'm wrong..

[Tones]

also pretty sure cusco cages ect arent ok with cams or andra

[Chris89]

I have a Cusco cage in my GTR but not a rear x bar and of the numerous times I have been pulled over by the police it has only been an issue once.

[siamak]

What is CAMS approved?

[Buckets]

A Cusco cage is basically some bars to make you look like your awesome that really won't offer anywhere near the protection provided by a real cage. If you want a cage go and see a good fabricator in Perth (check the other related threads for people in Perth who will fab a cage) These people know the in's and outs of what is road legal and what CAMS are after.

[SRE-86]

There is some local cage manufactorys that can offer a cams approved 1/2 cage. Bond roll bars are on that springs to mind. From memory around the same cost as a kit then u need to get it welded. At least then it is cams approved.

[alexinperth]

+1, the jap cages aren't any good for any motorsport that requires a cage.

[joshg123]

All this talk of cams cages, what events are you participating in that REQUIRES a cams approved cage?

[Buckets]

All this talk of cams cages, what events are you participating in that REQUIRES a cams approved cage?

+1 Unless you NEED a cage they are an expensive pain in the arse. If you want one just because I'd give it a miss.

[lambchops]

cams approved cages need to be weld in cages, cusco etc are bolt ins.

[siamak]

I'm more looking at the increased rigidity that a cage might bring, and it would be a bonus for it to be approved for minor sprint events.

[Buckets]

Again not wanting to be a kill joy but what other mods does the 180 have? (I assume yours is in the pic) The increase in rigidity is pointless from a handling point of view unless you have the suspension, rolling stock and skill to make the most out of the increase. Is this your daily or just a track toy?

[DJ84WA]

A Cusco cage is basically some bars to make you look like your awesome that really won't offer anywhere near the protection provided by a real cage.
It will offer enough protection if the car rolls. Obviously the cusco item wont offer the gains a built cage has to offer. But for the small cost it can have good results. :)

Cheers for the reference pics, Flippa! :D

Without cage:

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/163733_102805249796582_100002013219761_15662_81986 _n.jpg

With cage:

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/163752_102807376463036_100002013219761_15740_68307 01_n.jpg

[adzmerc]

I have a cusco half cage that I have in my daily/minor track 180 and I felt quite a bit of an increase in rigidity. I had quite stiff coilovers, bigger sway bars, front and rear strut braces before I put the cage in, and still felt the difference once cage was bolted in.. 3 wheels up driveways :-)
Didn't really get the cage for safety purposes, I just love the car stiff as possible and uncomfortable to drive.... :-)

[ovaxitd]

who is a good person to go to in perth for custom weld in cages- going into a holden ute if that helps... :)

p.s id rather have something than nothing... cusco etc is better than fckall and i did notice the difference of a half cage once installed in my sil80 too and fair ammount of suspension mods ... :)

its more of a mod to your budget topic... always going to get your money back for a jap branded bolt in cage

[Buckets]

who is a good person to go to in perth for custom weld in cages- going into a holden ute if that helps... :)

LF Performance ( Did my cage. I believe they are the best in WA )

Metalcraft Marine ( Come highly recommended from other members )

[joshg123]

who is a good person to go to in perth for custom weld in cages- going into a holden ute if that helps... :)

p.s id rather have something than nothing... cusco etc is better than fckall and i did notice the difference of a half cage once installed in my sil80 too and fair ammount of suspension mods ... :)

its more of a mod to your budget topic... always going to get your money back for a jap branded bolt in cage

PM fetish, he is organising a few i believe. Dont know when would be possible though.

[siamak]

Again not wanting to be a kill joy but what other mods does the 180 have? (I assume yours is in the pic) The increase in rigidity is pointless from a handling point of view unless you have the suspension, rolling stock and skill to make the most out of the increase. Is this your daily or just a track toy?

Neg, not the one in the pic.

Coilovers and strut braces. Also looking at additional bracing ie Nismo Power Brace and boot bracing.

Its going to be my daily but I fucking hate body roll.

[Skipmaster J]

I didn't feel a difference when my bolt in half cage went in.
I don't think a cage will do much about body roll - that's more suspension territory isn't it? Swaybars.

[joshg123]

Body roll wont be changed by a cage, body roll can be reduced with roll centre modifications/ heavier sway bars/ ride height and spring rate changes........

[iluv2moan]

cams approved cages need to be weld in cages, cusco etc are bolt ins.


not true

[mitcho]

I also didn't notice a difference when going a 6 point bolt in jap cage in the 32.

Still rolls around a bit too much for my liking, and although I liked the idea of having it whilst the car was still registered/ drifter thats what ended up giving me my yellow.

If I were to have another street reg/ drift/ track car I wouldn't bother with a cage, just play with suspension and bracing more.

[duste]

Still rolls around a bit too much for my liking, and although I liked the idea of having it whilst the car was still registered/ drifter thats what ended up giving me my yellow.


Body roll wont be changed by a cage, body roll can be reduced with roll centre modifications/ heavier sway bars/ ride height and spring rate changes........

If anything it could potentially give more body roll because you're adding more weight to the vehicle. As Josh has said, if you want to reduce body roll you have to sort it out by adjusting your suspension-affected geometry.

A better option for you JDM guys with lowered cars (particularly Nissans, because there's a buttfuck-load of options available on the market) would be a pair of 'Roll Centre Adjusters' or adjustable LCAs. Keep that LCA as horizontal as possible and you'll be laughing at your previous body-roll.

[siamak]

So a cage will only increase rigidity, as in less chassis flex? helps with steering response and feedback?

Does anybody have experience with fender braces and nismo power braces?

Are the drift works range worth looking into?

http://www.driftworks.com/shop/suspension/nissan-suspension/driftworks-front-rear-adjustable-lower-arms-s13-s14.html

[duste]

So a cage will only increase rigidity, as in less chassis flex?

The increased rigidity from a bolt-in cage will be nothing compared to that of a weld-in cage with gussets at the A-, B- and C-pillars. Have you got the usual strut braces? I'd be giving them a shot first before you go getting a bolt-in cage to try and increase rigidity.


helps with steering response and feedback?

Marginally, your best bet here would be stiffer bushes or (even better) aftermarket arms (as per below).


Are the drift works range worth looking into?

http://www.driftworks.com/shop/suspension/nissan-suspension/driftworks-front-rear-adjustable-lower-arms-s13-s14.html

They look the business and, going by the "benefits" listed, they'll do the job. They don't mention anything about roll-centre adjustability, but it could be easily done by adjusting the length of the "ball-joint" rod-end bolt/stud (getting a longer one, for example).

[4A10SHN]

The increased rigidity from a bolt-in cage will be nothing compared to that of a weld-in cage with gussets at the A-, B- and C-pillars. Have you got the usual strut braces? I'd be giving them a shot first before you go getting a bolt-in cage to try and increase rigidity.


x2

I refuse to do bolt in cages, such a waste of time. Either do it right or don't do it at all....

[Tre-Cool]

x2

I refuse to do bolt in cages, such a waste of time. Either do it right or don't do it at all....
I think you mean not at all ever... im still waiting for the call so you can do my utes 6 point.
:-p


apart from that. i have a 4 point in my vy ute, that is only a bolt in and it made a big difference around wanneroo.

street car with interior = bolt in fine.
all out race = go weld in

[Buckets]

x2

I refuse to do bolt in cages, such a waste of time. Either do it right or don't do it at all....

Someone got the right idea !

[4A10SHN]

I think you mean not at all ever... im still waiting for the call so you can do my utes 6 point.
:-p


apart from that. i have a 4 point in my vy ute, that is only a bolt in and it made a big difference around wanneroo.

street car with interior = bolt in fine.
all out race = go weld in

I'm too scared of catching aids off that car, you need to tidy it up to a metalcraft level! :)

[180SXTCY]

^KEKE

[mitchy]

So a cage will only increase rigidity, as in less chassis flex? helps with steering response and feedback?

Does anybody have experience with fender braces and nismo power braces?

Are the drift works range worth looking into?

http://www.driftworks.com/shop/suspension/nissan-suspension/driftworks-front-rear-adjustable-lower-arms-s13-s14.html

my 33 handled like a go cart with essentially the cusco catalogue thrown at it.
upper/lower arms front and rear, castor rods, sway bars, solid cradle mounts, front strut brace, b pillar brace, rear strut brace, front fender braces, some obscure tein coilovers with swift springs and helper springs, hicas lock bar... i there there were a few other things too..

point being it sat flat (which on the street was useless, and anoying at times) but would have been perfect on a track.

[JBAE]

LOL^ as if you care about handling or "rigidity" of your vehicles!

[Tre-Cool]

I'm too scared of catching aids off that car, you need to tidy it up to a metalcraft level! :)
doesnt need to look pretty. it only goes in a straight line, turns around. rinse & repeat. put back on trailer till next event.

[duste]

my 33 handled like a go cart with essentially the cusco catalogue thrown at it.
upper/lower arms front and rear, castor rods, sway bars, solid cradle mounts, front strut brace, b pillar brace, rear strut brace, front fender braces, some obscure tein coilovers with swift springs and helper springs, hicas lock bar... i there there were a few other things too..

point being it sat flat (which on the street was useless, and anoying at times) but would have been perfect on a track.

http://th749.photobucket.com/albums/xx131/DB81397/th_lolface.jpg