--- david rupnow <rupnowd@inter-global.net> wrote:
> I'm searching for a rollbar for my 1994 Miata. Currently I autox but
> would
> like one that is also road racing compatible. Do I need to go to a
> professional welder? Will the road-racing rollbar cause any
> ingress/egress
> problems or alter daily drivability? How much can I look to spend?
>
> Dave Rupnow
> NNJR region
>
>
>
Dave,
There are really on two major players in Miata roll bars - Autopower
and Hard Dog. I have a Hard Dog Hard Core bar (go to www.teammiata.com
for specs/pics of it). I installed it myself with common hand tools in
about 8 hours. It's a beefy roll bar and will save your life in a
rollover, but mine will not allow use of the hard top. There is a
version that will though. Both are compatable with the soft top. If
you want to see a Hard Dog put to the test, check out:
http://www.viaweb.com/mroadster/roll-style-bars.html
Click on the picture. That bar is the Sport version of mine and it has
smaller tubing. As far as the visability issue goes, it is very good.
The diagonal cuts right across the rear-view mirror, but you get used
to it very quickly. It doesn't even bother my wife when she drives it
(I'd know right away if it did and how much I guarantee you that). As
far as the Autopower bars go, they are a little less expensive if I
recall, but I didn't like the fact that they can interfere with seat
travel more than the Hard Dog bars. My seat travel is not limited at
all, but it does interfere a little bit if you recline you seat back a
lot (which I don't). The Autopower (with diagonal) will cut about 3"
of seat travel on the passenger side and about 1" on the driver's side
and is completely SOLO I legal. The Hard Dog is supposed to be SOLO I
legal too, but there has been some debate on that issue due to where
the diagonal mounts. As you can see from the pics from Team Miata, the
HD bar diagonal mounts from the main hoop to the rear brace. The
Autopower bar diagonal mounts from the main hoop to the lower leg of
the main hoop. If you don't plan on doing any SOLO I it's a moot
point. My bar passes tech for high speed driving schools at Summitt
Point, Road Atlanta, and Watkins Glen for sure. I know of others that
have used them at Laguna Seca, etc. Anyway, my vote is for the Hard
Dog Hard Core bar. Here are some links for the Autopower bar:
http://www.ioportracing.com/rollbar2.htm
http://doc.schdist42.bc.ca/bob/autopower.html
I bought mine from Performance Buyers Club in Manasas, VA because I
could pick it up there instead of having it shipped to MD.
www.teammiata.com
www.performancebuyers.com
www.dlralt.com
www.mroad.com
www.rspeed.net
www.finishlineperformance.com
All good vendors and carry the Hard Dog line. None of them carry the
Autopower. Hard Dog bars are probably the more popular bars being used
by Miata owners. They are both the highest bars available that fit
under the soft top to my knowledge. Any further questions about my
bar, just ask.
Derek Engelhaupt
'97 Miata with rollover protection....just in case.
St.Paul, MN
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