Rollbar :D

[AutOtaku]

Aight yo, so ever since ive gotten my miata ive wanted to get a rollbar cause (while i dont plan to race) im young and stupid and want some security. Ive been looking at HardDogs and am considering the HardCore (possibly hard top ver.) Or the sport. MY QUESTION (which i know has probably been answered thousands of times): What is the actual differance, i know the tube diameter is differant but does one sit closer to the seats? Btw, im about 5`10 and have stock seats. Also is the padding worth buying?

[JamieH]

Yeah, the hardcore bars are made from larger diameter tubing, have straight back legs, and sit further forward. The Sport bars allow for more seat travel, but also sit lower. I don't think the Sport bars meet SCCA rules for 3 reasons. Sit to low and won't pass the broomstick test, diameter of tubing is too small, and the back legs bend down.

[AutOtaku]

By bend down, what do you mean? Like the way they are bent when made or in a roll over situation?

[Andy]

Bossfrog also makes some nice bars. You might like their clear view bar.

[AutOtaku]

Bossfrog is a bit too rich for my blood haha

[Andy]

Price for the single hoop I do not remember being bad. Somewhere around $550. Check out moss. My personal preference favors boss frog.

[Pfunk]

Regardless of which model, please make sure to have proper padding; the dual density option might be best for street use. Look up the story RevLimiter posted about being rear-ended. I ran my BF bar without padding until I read his story, and ordered padding the same day. The picture under my name is 'before' but when my new interior is done I'll post 'after' with the custom Nakamae covers I had made.

[Andy]

This a million times. Also make sure to get a cover for the padding. Uv light quickly deteriorates good quality padding.

[BoBo]

Hardcore bars are a bit thicker and the rollbar placing all depends on model and if the bar you are getting is for soft top only or both HT & ST . The hardtop version sits a bit lower, adding the padding would be great. My favorite is the M1 Hardcore with 2 diagonals, but I'm still saving up for it.

[AutOtaku]

I have the money for the hardtop version as im considering finding one. I checked the price on the padding+cove and dont mind paying for the padding but might get some cheap fabric and make a sUpErTyGhT JaYeDeEeM looking one XD

[Andy]

Well this is part of my personal reasoning for bossfrog. They have custom form fitting foam for the bars and covers that actually fit well.

[BoBo]

I have the money for the hardtop version as im considering finding one. I checked the price on the padding+cove and dont mind paying for the padding but might get some cheap fabric and make a sUpErTyGhT JaYeDeEeM looking one XD

You can buy foam padding at saferacer for cheap and just cut & trim it to fit just about any bar, it's not gonna look as good as the oem padding and cover, but you save more money. I got the basic hard dog hard bar and I paid I believe $3 on the foam padding and just zip tied it.

[AutOtaku]

is the padding actually thick enough to keep my eggs from gettong cracked? Also like i said id make a cover, im pretty handy with a thread and needle

[Pfunk]

It's not the usual pool-noodle foam; it's actually quite dense.

[kung fu jesus]

Padding is definitely worth it.

I have owned a number of Harddog product in a few different Miatas and have always been happy with their products.

The key here is buying the rollbar for your needs. If you are going to track the car, certain requirements mentioned above are needed (one or two diagonals). Otherwise, if you want one to protect you in a rollover, a simpler version is fine. NB rollbars also fit in the NAs.

[AutOtaku]

Im looking at the sport mainly for the price, i like the kinda spartan look of two diagonals and for that price its not bad. Plus never enoug protection right?

[JamieH]

By bend down, what do you mean? Like the way they are bent when made or in a roll over situation?

Here's a M1 (NA) Sport bar showing the bend I'm talking about on the rear legs.

http://www.bethania-garage.com/images/hs2dh.jpg

The bend is towards the bottom of the legs on the M1 Sport bars.

But, on the M2 (NB) Sport bars the bend is higher up, as shown here.

http://www.bethania-garage.com/images/m2_sport_mazdaspeed.JPG

The difference is the the M1 is designed for the NA's plastic rear window top while the M2 is designed for the NB's glass rear window top.

Finally, here an pic of a M1 Hardcore bar showing the completely straight rear legs.

http://www.bethania-garage.com/images/ab1.jpg

The reason for the bend on the Sport bars is to allow for more seat travel. But like I said in the first post, some racing sanctioning groups only allow for certain roll bar designs and materials. And what will be allowed depends on the group/officials. Some are lax, some are strict.

Here's Bethania's application guide on their website. (http://www.bethania-garage.com/guide.htm) It tells you just about everything you need to know to pick the bar that will be best for you and your uses if you decide to go with a HardDog roll bar.

Everything everyone else has said is great info as well. Hope ya find a bar that suits ya.

[AutOtaku]

Since i really dont plan on racing the car in anything more than an autox event (if i ever have time to go -_-) im most likely gonna go with the sport as it looks great, the price is good, and the bracing factor is good. Thanks all for the help. Now i just need my check card to arrive.....

[roadracemiata]

Make sure to buy a three foot drill bit to make install easy, you can drill down through the body from up top with the convertible top down no problem.

[BoBo]

is the padding actually thick enough to keep my eggs from gettong cracked? Also like i said id make a cover, im pretty handy with a thread and needle

They sell good stuff at Saferacer. Like the other guy said, it's not that typical pool noodle stuff for kids.Most tracks want the typical triangulated roll bar, but if your just doing mainly AutoX I would just get the basic hoop bar. But again the beefier the bar is, the more protection you will have when it rolls over. In addition, having a lower seat will be better from a roll over.

This is a picture of my basic hoop bar w/ safe racer rollbar padding. I didn't pay a lot for the hoop bar, but it was enough to go into AutoX and few tracks like Horse Thief Mile & Button Willow. It only cost me $235+ shipping from GWR.

Right now I'm saving up for a beefier roll bar and frog arms to add stiffness to the chassis. I'm slowly converting my miata to 50% track and 50% commute.

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu129/MR2SW21/96%20miata/HardBar2_zpsbb987277.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/MR2SW21/media/96%20miata/HardBar2_zpsbb987277.jpg.html)

[Rogue]

Aight yo, so ever since ive gotten my miata ive wanted to get a rollbar cause (while i dont plan to race) im young and stupid and want some security.

Reality (http://www.click2houston.com/news/headon-car-collision-leaves-four-people-dead/25563516)

[Demon I Am]

Reality (http://www.click2houston.com/news/headon-car-collision-leaves-four-people-dead/25563516)

holy crap