Roll Bar Question

[releese78]

First, let me say I know most of you are going to think I'm nuts for even thinking of this, but I have my reasons...

I was wondering if the roll-bar serves any structural support for the vehicle other than safety in the event of a roll.

I'm considering taking it out completely along with the soft top for several reasons. First, I have a Zeintop and have no plans what so ever of removing it. I plan on keeping it on year round. Next, I'm 6'4, so the roll bar wouldn't help me anyway if the car did roll. The other reasons are obvious, a little more storage space, easier access to the engine for air filter changes, etc (won't have to take off the hard top to do this) and a cleaner look inside the cabin.

Any thoughts?

[Jaxonalden]

I would think it adds rigidity to the cars uni-body. Think of it as a big strut brace. Also if you take a hit in the side I'm sure it would absorb a great deal of the kinetic energy of the impact. What is top you installed, made of? Would you trust it in a roll over?

[releese78]

The top is fiberglass, I wouldnt trust it in a rollover. I wouldnt trust most other "tin-can" cars either, nor would I trust the rollbar since my head is at the same height as it.

I'm more worried about the uni-body twisting (used to have this problem in my old mustang before I installed sub-frame connectors). You made a good point about side impact, to be honest I don't feel very safe in this car anyway.

...I guess it's like riding a motorcycle, you pray for good fortune.

[Jaxonalden]

"...you pray for good fortune." I'm with ya on that one brother.

[Cloudsurfer]

I am quite certain it offers structural integrity to the uni-body. And, for what its worth, according to the insurance companies, there are actually very safe cars.

That said, I don't think I'd remove it.

Patrick

[racer_d]

Yes, the rollbar is a structural element in the vehicles strength and rigidity. The car was designed with the rollbar elements in mind. In fact, other manufacturers have followed suite (BMW Z roadster for one)

There is the chance that, should you roll the car, you could actively "duck" and have your head below the rollbar height.

Second, consider the impact of a re-sale of the car. It would take a rare buyer to want a car with the rollbar removed, or worse, removed and replaced with questionable welding. Perhaps a Spec Boxster buyer who would put in a cage wouldn't mind?

The fiberglass top will likely shred, dent or, even worse, collapse on your head. Having the rollhoops present may prevent it from impacting even more on your knoggin

[944boy]

Personally I wouldn't remove it, however if you drive any true speedster (especially a 50-60's car) you have 0 protection from the factory.

That being said, I love the feeling of safety snuggled in my caged 944. I still don't feel safe with a 3-point belt either.

It's up to you, but I don't think it will help to remove it. Maybe if you plan on keeping the hardtop on, you could have a custom bar made that would fit to the top. It could be made to give you more storage room and protect you better in case of an accident. That way you wouldn't loose rigidity or safety.

[Paul]

The shoulder belts mount to the roll bar, another point that could take the stress is going to be hard to find.