Looking at buying a turbo in the future and think a cage/rollover protection may be important. Just in the planning stages. I'd like to incorporate it into the pillars as much as possible. My question is tubing diameter, what is the smallest diameter and thickness that is reasonable.

Most cages are 1.75 or 2.0" OD x .120 (3mm) thick. Would a 1.250 OD tube with a .238 (6mm) wall thickness be as, or stronger?

Has anyone done a Ruf-type cage where it is almost invisable?

Love to see pics!

Thanks!

 

This all boils down to who is doing your cage and what materials are used.

I would seek out a experianced cage builder to do your car.

I am not a fan of the 1.75 or 2.0 tubing

We generally run 1.50 chromoly tubing with the proper wall thickness.
Chromoly is not easy to work with and requires a lot of work to fit.


If you are having your car tig welded make sure the welder is experianced and knows how to strengthen the welds.

Many builders use mild steel (DOM) and mig weld.


If you were closer we could do it for you

 

quote:
We generally run 1.50 chromoly tubing with the proper wall thickness.
Chromoly is not easy to work with and requires a lot of work to fit.


If you are having your car tig welded make sure the welder is experianced and knows how to strengthen the welds.


100% correct, I use 1.50 chromoly .095wall, (.125 wall in some places) light and super strong. Correct tig welding is a must.

 

If you do go the DOM steel tubing, I'd recommend talking with someone about the weight of the vehicle. 1.5 inch mild steel (I know the others are talking cromoly) probably would require something thicker than .125 walls. I know on my Datsun Zcar's cage, we did 1.5 with .125 wall thickness, but the car weighs in at about 2300#. I'm guessing you'd be stuck with something in the 1 5/8th to 1 3/4 range for a TT. I'd refer to a racing clubs rules/ class requirement for guidelines.

Talk to Mitch at Piper Motorsports in Sterling Va. He did the cage in my Zcar, and it's a work of art.

Mike

 

When I'm ready I plan on calling Piper, I say a silver turbo they did that was fantastic.