14901490

So I am now looking at the Autopower roll bar vs. Corbeau harness bar for my 05 GT. Application is Road track DE s ( Watkins Glen )

Want to leave the stock seat alone at this point.

Condsidering Schroth 4 point ASM -( anti submarining tech. ) Harnesses.

No one rides in the back - IE no kids, not a daily commuter - but also not a strictly track car either..

Appreciate any input especially from those who have used either set-up .. pros & cons

Thanks

danbevsv6rumbler

Just seeing my buddy wreck his s2000 really made me want to invest in something a little more safe for myself - a rollbar. The mustang has high crash ratings, and it's coupe design (assuming yours is a coupe) helps. But I also feel the extra $200 is worth the extra protection that a roll-bar could provide over a harness bar.

I, like you, have been debating between these two types of setups. Everything seems to point at a roll-bar as being the overall better investment.

Sleeper_08

One concern I have with the roll bar, which is actually what I would prefer to do, is what an insurance company would say f they saw it in the car? Has anyone dealt with this potential problem?

Hootna

I do not think my insurance would like to see my car. So it is my opinion if you cant afford to write it off you shouldnt take it to the track. I have looked into track insurance and was quoted $1200 for 10 HPDE / Autocross events with a replacement value of $35K. I havent done it yet but will most likely do it next year when the season starts. I did my last event for the next few months yesterday. It was 92 degrees and is only going to get hotter for the next few months.

As to the Rollbar I am glad I went with mine and the Schroth Harness system. I am not sure how well it is going to work with the stock seats. I have Sparco's seats they are the original "Steel seat" now they are called R100s.
www.sparcousa.com/pseats_street.asp?id=690

I do think it would be a good idea to upgrade the seats. I am not sure I would feel to confident with the stock seats not to mention you will drop a bunch of weight. The powered seat weighs a ton.

I would have gone with the one piece seat as well but I am a big guy and this seat is really thin not much padding that gives me extra room. It is very comfortable as well.

I also think you can upgrade the Autopower rollbar if you ever want to go full on road racing. I havent actually verified but looks like they make a kit that they sell on their website.

Just need to figure out how useless you want to make your car. Mine is about 90% useless and am striving for 99% in the near future.

14901490

Anyone actually do the install of the Autopower rollbar themselves? How easy or difficult is this to do ?

danbevsv6rumbler

Doesn't look too difficult:

http://mustanglife.tenmagazines.com/...ticle&aid=3659

Texotic

All the guys that I've known that have wrecked at the track just have their car towed to a shop and claim it was wrecked on a "private road", which is an accurate statement. No one has had any problems yet. Not sure which agencies they had insurance through, though.

randomskater7

maximum motorsports came out with a 6 point bolt in rollbar too. might be something good.

http://50mustangsuperfords.automotiv...bar/index.html

VistaBlueFrank68

2008 and newer don't require roll-bars below 130? 120?, Don't take out those heavy seats that's what holds your wheels down so they don't spin, actually you should commute, 2xCorbeau 5 Points with Corbeau harness bar $299, AM, 5 Pnt $150 ea and install maybe an equal amount $$$$ Notice the tubes hiding behind the lap belts bolted to the floor, good as a backseat Boss brace for body flex.

notsofast

I agree. Plus with the half-cage you can use dedicated racing seats and a 5/6-point harness, HANS/Nexsgen. This will be safer and hold you in your seat better than you can do with stock seats. I've also seen the back of a stock seat snap at a DE when an M3 went backwards into a wall. How much is your safety worth? The more you track the car the more you need to at least consider these options.