Retro fitting a CSX rollbar on a superformance

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Clayboy;1****87

Let's dial this back and revert to the original question that was asked. Can anyone provide the angle of the down tube on a CSX car.
Thanks,
Bob

I would say call McCluskey or Mickmate.

[TN Shelby Cobra]

Higher Single Bar - Olthoff Racing
Dennis sells a higher roll bar!

[Three Peaks]

Frank,
The originals and Superformance have different mounting points and I'm quite sure the trunk is slightly different so the measurements between the two may not make much difference other than the overall height.

A suggestion you may try is to cut some pieces of 1 1/4" EMT in the approximate lengths for the back brace and try to trial fit the pieces together to see where all the pieces will end up to make it all fit. Then you can take all the information and put together the pieces to form the roll bar. You may need to custom fab a rear trunk mount, cut and reweld the rear brace mount on the roll bar, and cut the roll bars to length to make it all fit.
This would be easier to explain and show in person, but this is the process I had to go through to make the roll bars for my Cobra built on one of Roger Bollick's original style chassis.

Good luck with the project. I'd like to see how it comes out when it's done.

Bob

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

A suggestion you may try is to cut some pieces of 1 1/4" EMT in the approximate lengths for the back brace and try to trial fit the pieces together to see where all the pieces will end up to make it all fit.

Bob

Good idea - you could even do it with PVC pipe of appropriate diameter. Just substitute 90 deg elbows and a short piece up top for the hoop portion.

[frankym]

Originally Posted by TN Shelby Cobra

Higher Single Bar - Olthoff Racing
Dennis sells a higher roll bar!

TN Shelby,

Back in 2002, I put the olthoff roll bar onto SPF #1118. The purpose was not to change the look, but to pass the broomstick test for VIR track day. Here are a couple of photos of the rollbar that TN Shelby is referencing. It actually highlights the bad points of the spf rollbar position IMO.

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by frankym

...the Olthoff roll bar...actually highlights the bad points of the SPF rollbar position IMO.

From a purely aesthetics viewpoint I couldn't agree with you more. Sent you a PM, too.

[SPF1061]

Originally Posted by TN Shelby Cobra

Higher Single Bar - Olthoff Racing
Dennis sells a higher roll bar!

Dennis runs what is probably the best SPF support shop in the country. The custom roll bar from Olthoff is made from thicker walled material and is taller than the original SPF. It is designed to pass the VIR "broomstick" test and to provide better protection for the driver in the event of a roll over. I do not think any consideration was given toward making it look more like the original CSX roll bar.
- Oops, read the third page of this thread AFTER I made this post. Didn't mean to be redundant. Full speed ahead. :-)

[frankym]

i didn't receive the new rollbar yet, but i did play around with positioning the stock rollbar 3 inches higher, and placing the extension bar mock. The very top of the rollbar is 14 inches from the cowl. I also made a template for cutting the scallop out of the extension stub. going to a friends in a moment to measure his beautiful ERA rollbar.

[frankym]

trying to do before and after

[frankym]

finished product with rubber grommet:










New Anchor in trunk, bolted to side rail.

[rodneym]

Frankym,
Nice job!
I think you got a lot of SPF owners thinking.
BTW, have you considered mounting a kill switch over that hole?

[Pman1961]

Looks great!! I'll do mine one day. Also, I would like to find another hood to modify such as adding a cowl hood scoop cold air intake and louvers to help reduce engine compartment temps.

[frankym]

Rodney

Are you a kirkham 427 owner? If so, im curious ast to the height of your rollbar. I modeled mine somewhere between KMP and CSX. Im guessing the kirkham is 14 inches vertically perpendicular from cowl to the highest part of the hoop. Mine ended up about 13.5. I am warming to the battery cutoff switch. I'm ordering one, i may like it better when i see it. I have these perfect 3 inch diameter perfect round steel plates that i could punch a whole in for the switch. Seems nobody likes the steering wheel center.

[rodneym]

Frankym,
I'll have those measurements when I get home (and nobody beats me to it).
Kill switches have been put in that area before. They can go pretty much anywhere, plus your battery is right underneath!
Ixnay the steering wheel cap, IMHO. Your car/color combo and now rollbar look awesome.
Congrats.