Roll cages

[Chad]

As per title,, For a bit of fun Iv bought a e46 m3 body shell , and want to fit a cage,, anybody recommend best cage to go for... I’m thinking fully welded with subframe bracing, Thought I’d do this work first. While I’m looking for a donor car :whistle:

[select]

Is it a completely bare shell? If so, i would go the extra mile and weld a full cell in. With connections to the front and rear struts. The stiffness would be unparalleled in comparison to a half cage.


In your case i wouldn't go for a prefabricated cage but let a good welder fit one in, just mind that it likely needs to adhere to FIA certifications in order to be allowed to race it.

[Chad]

Is it a completely bare shell? If so, i would go the extra mile and weld a full cell in. With connections to the front and rear struts. The stiffness would be unparalleled in comparison to a half cage.


In your case i wouldn't go for a prefabricated cage but let a good welder fit one in, just mind that it likely needs to adhere to FIA certifications in order to be allowed to race it.

Hi Julian,, It’s not a bare shell just yet ,, I bought shell doors boot. All the glass,at the moment screens are still fitted. I’m presuming they will have to come out,, I’ve not checked subframe mount points conditions as yet hopefully it’s not to bad , I expect there will be work needed..I paid what I consider a very fair price, will know more when I get the shell home, It will be a weld in job, to front and rear struts ,, hopefully not an expensive job :whistle:

[khooni]

i agree. fully welded chassis is unbelievable.

while you are at it, also weld the rear subframe to the chassis. then you can forget about subframe cracking issues.


my fully welded chassis is stiffer than my 997 rs

[Chad]

i agree. fully welded chassis is unbelievable.

while you are at it, also weld the rear subframe to the chassis. then you can forget about subframe cracking issues.


my fully welded chassis is stiffer than my 997 rs
Hi it did cross my mind regarding welding in the subframe,, question But would solid bushes be nearly as good?? , depending on how the cage fixed the subframe mount points ,, just for as far as future maintenance ease ??

[Chad]

Shell now on my drive has doors, boot ,subframe ,rear trailing arms, discs ,alloy spring mount arms, L+R drive shafts , All the glass ,, up front wings although corrosion In usually place but repairable for track use ,, front wheel hubs , etc Most of the wiring harnesses, with fuse block ,,, steering column and mount bracket,, Shell does have some cracking on subframe fixing points. But no big deal,welding plates should be enough at first inspection for Trackday slag,,,, I think a fair deal £950,,, condition it’s not half bad for a 02 plate shell,, iv got the thing totally stripped now ready to get stuck in ,, hopefully get some pictures up when I figure out how to ,, :smokin: Something to do now csl is perfect ,,

[Chad]

Getting stuck into this 02 m3 bare shell ,,, picked up some reddish subframe repair plates, I’ve prity much 70 percent done welding them in now,,,,but rain about to stop play so packed up ,,, I’ve got to say I take my hat off to the design of the reddish plates the way they are cut and shape into place ,,, And I’ll take my hat off “”twice “”to anybody that does this repair on a regular basis ,it’s not easy work and I’d say worth the every £ companys like reddish would charge,, :thumbs:

[Mike R]

Speak to Dave Jackson at Divison M, they can do you something :) :

https://www.facebook.com/DivisionMmotorsport/

Tell him Mike R with the CSL sent you his way and that I said he'd look after you :thumbs:.

[Chad]

Speak to Dave Jackson at Divison M, they can do you something :) :

https://www.facebook.com/DivisionMmotorsport/

Tell him Mike R with the CSL sent you his way and that I said he'd look after you :thumbs:.

Thanks for the information mike,, just looked at the work they do almost as good as mine, :smokin: would love to just hand them the shell to do all the prep work ,, I’m sure it will be way above my budget looking at quality and what they do :smt055,,,, I’ll get a lottery ticket this weekend never know :thumbs:

[rstoughy]

My race car has a Custom Cages weld in one. I have yet to tie in the rear sub frame to it though as i had a different option in mind for that. I was going to fit the TrackTec kit but after being targeted by minks nicking stuff out the yard etc and numerous break ins they shut up shop.
I'll do my own version of that this year.

If the car is never going back to a std road car then weld in is the only option really. Bolt ins are a fair bit heavier (SD anyway)

[Mike R]

Thanks for the information mike,, just looked at the work they do almost as good as mine, :smokin: would love to just hand them the shell to do all the prep work ,, I’m sure it will be way above my budget looking at quality and what they do :smt055,,,, I’ll get a lottery ticket this weekend never know :thumbs:

You don't know until you ask ;).

[billyboysm3]

Getting stuck into this 02 m3 bare shell ,,, picked up some reddish subframe repair plates, I’ve prity much 70 percent done welding them in now,,,,but rain about to stop play so packed up ,,, I’ve got to say I take my hat off to the design of the reddish plates the way they are cut and shape into place ,,, And I’ll take my hat off “”twice “”to anybody that does this repair on a regular basis ,it’s not easy work and I’d say worth the every £ companys like reddish would charge,, :thumbs:

I used those reddish plates also but got Bartletts to fit.

GET SOME PICTURES UP.

Mines 02, got it on the wings and rear arches.

[billyboysm3]

My race car has a Custom Cages weld in one. I have yet to tie in the rear sub frame to it though as i had a different option in mind for that. I was going to fit the TrackTec kit but after being targeted by minks nicking stuff out the yard etc and numerous break ins they shut up shop.
I'll do my own version of that this year.

If the car is never going back to a std road car then weld in is the only option really. Bolt ins are a fair bit heavier (SD anyway)

Mines Safety devices one and goes through the dash.

Think its about 75kg from memory.

[khooni]

what's the lightest and best one

[Chad]

what's the lightest and best one

Custom cages t45 tube ,full cage seems to come light at under 50kg about £2000 Plus you then have to get it welded , from my research tig weld , probably a good week to weld up. I think there’s two choices for full t45 cages by them, mike has put a name in the pot regarding cage builders,,but I’ve not enquire as probably out of my price range, I’m hoping todo diy on mine ,, but my welding needs to improve but will get there ,,:smokin:

[select]

Lightest option is a cage made from 25CRMO4 steel.
Or titanium but then its not FIA approved.