Hey all, So I'm digging up an old and much discussed topic, but there doesn't seem to be TOO much on it recently. Thus my post.

I have searched the archives and looked through a couple hundred posts. but here I sit still without the info I need to answer my questions.

1) I drive my s2000 on the track in HPDE's about 12-15 times a year and am looking for a Roll bar solution (such as the ELDA bar ) that can be installed into my car and fit under the softtop (when closed) and permit me to have a harness along with a Race seat to be more safe.

2) I'd like to know what others are doing with this? Lots of clubs are now requiring them to be had (Porsche, BMW & Audi) all of whom I instruct for as a volunteer. Thus, in order for me to be able to drive my cars at their events, I now need to have a roll bar & Harness.

So, what are my options for:

1) Roll Bar?
2) Harness? (schroth?)
3) Seats? (Recaro, & others?) would like to keep it under 650 for 1 seat.


I'd really like to hear what others are doing or have done with respect to having a custom roll bar fabricated etc.. so that when I sell the car, I can just cut it off and be done.

Thanks and I look forward to hopefully having some good answers come about this thread.

David.

 

BUELLER? ANYONE? BUELLER?

Little help here?

 

Your only choice is custom. $1-2K.

 

Thanks for the reply Supersprint, I guess I'm surprised that a custom solution is the only way, my hope was NOT to have to re-invent the wheel and find some sort of option to have a SCCA approved roll bar and figured with the #'s of people who've done this and will do this that I could use their design or (you get the picture).

If there are any fabricators that you would recommend i speak to, please advise.

Lastly, if you have any thoughts, feedback on harness / seats, I'd like to hear them as my goal is to have this all done by Feb. 2006.

again, thanks,

david.

 

Custom is NOT you're only way...

There are a few used roll bars floating around on the For Sale section. One is the Bitterman Bar, and another option is the Elda bar. Both of these are out of production.

There is a third option, by LoveFab. I think there may be a group buy on these rollbars in 2 weeks or so (don't quote me though). PM Tinker219 for details.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'll shoot him a PM right now.

much appreciated.

hate to be a pain, but any opinion on seats that work well for the S2k?

again thanks.

D

 

I run a Bitterman bar. You're looking at $200-250 probably, if you can find one.

Not sure about the Elda, but it does allow you to keep your interior a bit more intact.

 

I installed an Elda bar a little less than two years ago in S2K (and sold the car this past summer). At that time, I ruled out the Bitterbar because I didn't like the forward rake to how it sits in the car, and I feared that it might not withstand a rollover. I admit that I'm no structural engineer, but I wasn't comfortable with the lack of verticality in the structural members. The Cusco bar and some of the JDM stuff seemed (to me) more for show than function, and I ruled them out for that reason.

I thought the Elda bar was a good design, particularly because it met SCCA requirements, and I figured that somebody gave some thought to those requirements, which gave me comfort. It came with a diagonal brace and a harness bar, both of which could be removed when not in use. Overall, I can

 

Thanks for a well written, well thoughtout post.

I appreciate the info and will continue to search for the hope that someone has a used one for sale... or a new batch becomes manuf.

fwiw, I'd assume if you did replace all of the plastic body panels that you could make it look just the same as it did new "should I have to sell it stock" in a couple years...

again thanks,

now get that damn elise so you can give me a ride in it next time I'm @ PIR!

 

You could certainly make the car look as if it had never had a rollbar installed, but (i) you'd have to replace essentially ALL of the plastic behind the seats, including the tray, and (ii) some things, such as the access hole you'll need to cut in the rear wheel wells (which is covered with a tar-backed aluminum material and then sprayed with underbody liner, so it's all but invisible) will remain as teltale signs that the car had been modified, but you'd have to know where to look to ever see those things. In short, sure you can do it, but it'll take some work and $'s.

You're most welcome.
CB