kitwetzler,

I re- read your post and realize it isn't a slam against this rollcage just a concern, Having installed two sets of these cages (both 5 points) and comparing the stock bars under the plastic hoops, I would much rather have this set-up than just the stock hoops.
I do not see how the bar could collapse backwards after mounting the rear supports and the backing plates that go under the car - I track my car and just didn't like the designs that someone convinced the mighty SCCA to endorse over drinks and a handshake - I expect to get slammed for that one by the way. I bought mine for extra protection and because it was by far the best looking design with the least modifications in a bolt on system (it can be reversed if I decide to sell or upgrade). I have no regrets with this bar and am actually damn proud to have it on my car!
Nick

 

I've actually used a Cusco rollbar in another one of my cars and I was very pleased with it. I don't have any doubt that most of their products are adequately engineered. However, in the US market, most people don't want a full cage, for obvious safety reasons, even with SFI rated high density foam padding, having a hard solid metal object in striking range of your head is a sure recipe for head trauma unless you wear a helmet all the time.

When I said SCCA approved, I meant compliant with SCCA regulations; you're right, I misspoke. However, those regulations are derived from years of racing experience, and, having seen many of the s2k rollbars up close (I instruct at track days in CA) I am very leery of the cusco bar for the S2000. I'm not knocking all of their products but I think that the stock roll hoops provide just as much or more protection without compromising



These mounting plates are horribly undersized.



The rear diagonals are too.

In order not to tear through the sheet metal, either down towards the bottom of the car or up towards the top of the car, the mounting plates have to cover a sufficiently large surface area. The sheet metal, in the areas the Cusco rollbar mounts is pretty flimsy, you can easily dent it with a hammer. Most sanctioning bodies require at least a 4" x 4" mounting plate, neither of the ones above show one of sufficient size.

It's not worth the risk of head trauma, bolting something that close to your head that doesn't significantly improve safety. Please, at very minimum cover the car with SFI rated high density foam padding, over your and your passenger's head. If you are in an accident, (and I hope you never are) get checked out for subdural bleeding, the risk of dying from hematoma is not worth the additional medical bills (usually they will screen you anyway).

 

Ok I will agree with you that padding is a very good choice. Thanks for clearing up everything.

 

i'm not understand how someone would hit there head on the bar in an accident?

 

look at where the cusco bar goes. it sits right by the seat, in an accident, you are flopping around like a wet noodle, if your head can hit a rollbar, it will. and it hurts, really badly. Notice how much dead space there is around the stock rollbars.

 

those are not exactly the best pics to understand what you are saying.

 

Look how close the bar is to the seat. in an accident, especially an offset crash, you are going to bonk, your head on the bar really hard.



You see how close your head is gonna be?

(and mounting harnesses like the above is a really really bad idea)

 

well i don't know my seats don't sit like those mugen,i have the bride pro's and they seat you farther down meaning my head is not that high up so i couldn't see my head going that far over and back. but i get what you are trying to say

 

Here's the thing, your spine can stretch up to 4-5 inches in a collision.

I guess I'm over conscious of this because of a friend of mine was in an auto accident, in his Miata, and was almost killed by a subdural hematoma, that was almost totally undetectable. It was only because we insisted he get a CAT scan that he survived. It literally would've killed him overnight. The biggest danger with a rollbar is being rearended, with a significant speed differential, you not only get whiplash but you get an impact on the metal bar.

Measure the distance from your head to the bar.

I do plan to get an aftermarket rollbar for my s2k, but I will make sure it has SFI rated high density foam padding. Even still, it is a risk. This padding is hard to the touch but absorbs a lot of energy compared to the soft open cell foam padding often sold as rollbar padding.

 

Judging buy the pics, ypu can install the cusco bar with the factory soft top. Is that true? What if you have the glass rear window?