Roll Cage Weight???

[KillerWolf]

Hey Guys,

Does anyone have the approx. weight on a typical 10-12pt. roll cage?? I believe chrome moly is suppossed to be about 30% lighter. Is that true?

thanx,
scotty H.

["THE GMR"]

Hey Guys,

Does anyone have the approx. weight on a typical 10-12pt. roll cage?? I believe chrome moly is suppossed to be about 30% lighter. Is that true?

thanx,
scotty H.

I do not know the exact weight off the top of my head because there are too many variables to factor in. The only real way is to measure the amount of feet used and multiply that by the weight per foot of the given tubing.

Now, the whole concept that Chromoly is lighter is a "wives tale"! The metal itself is not lighter, the weight of the tube is overall lighter because you can use smaller wall thickness to achieve the same strength. That is where the weight reduction happens. SO, Instead of using .120 wall DOM you can use .095 chromoly and gain the weight reduction from the thinner wall tubing. The other added benefit is the reduction of center of gravity. This is only a small difference between the two but for serious racers it can mean a reduction in lap time. This happens because there is less weight above the COG when using the thinner wall Chromoly versus the .120 wall DOM.

IMHO, I would be more concerned with the design of the cage rather than the weight. This is a structure that is built to save your life, nothing more. Safety ALWAYS comes first, and then you can consider things like weight reduction and style.


Jason

[rocketman]

I never weighted a cage, but I would guess 200-250 pounds, if your doing a full nhra style cage

[David Pozzi]

here is a weight per foot chart:
http://www.auto-ware.com/techref/tubeweight.htm

[chassisguy]

1 5/8 .125 wall mild steel is 2.0 lbs per foot
1 5/8 .083 wall chromoly is 1.375lbs per foot

[silver69camaro]

Depends on the car, but 110-160lbs is common for .134" HREW 10-pt.

[KillerWolf]

Thanx guys.

I'm aware of the thiner wall on moly tube & strength is of utmost importance to me (I plan on running 200+). I'm just trying to figure if moly is worth the extra expense & tig welding needed.

I want to be legal for scca & open road racing. I believe that they require a 1-3/4 tube, but I'm not sure if the wall thickness is the same. Guess I'd better get a rulebook, huh?

Once again, you guys are the best.

thanx,
scotty H.

[David Pozzi]

I don't think SCCA allows Chrome Moly roll bars any more. You'd better check on that. The main hoops are of main concern as far as wall thickness, the other bracing can be lighter tube in some cases.
If they do, it needs to be 4130 condition N. Tig welding is required.
David

[High Plains Mopars]

Why don't you contact some of the sponsors on here and ask them what the shipping weight of a cage kit is. Sure, there is some cardboard and packaging material, but it will be in the ball park.

[David Pozzi]

Here is something I saved from a forum post. It is a Camaro but I don't know any more than that.
Main Hoop: 14.164 lbs
Rear Struts: 12.809 lbs pr
SFC Gussets: 2.769 lbs pr
Floor Plates: 10lbs (8)
Cross Bar: 3.393 lbs
Door Bars: 10.346 lbs (pr)
Diagonal cross bar: 3.702 lbs
Head Rest/bracket: 3-4lbs est.

61.183 lbs total

dynamat just installed = 36 lbs,

[KillerWolf]

Thanx David,

That is really what I'm looking for. So I would imagine if that cage is moly, a mild steel one would be about 25lbs. more (give or take)

I believe I'll be going with a 1-3/4 DOM cage. Gotta check scca but Silver State will allow .093 wall.

thanks again,
scotty

ps yes, High Plaines, but that would make waaaay to much sense

[Speed Raycer]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I don't get here as much as I'd like :D

A typical 8 point SCCA style cage in a large sedan usually runs around 80-85' of 1.75x.095. With 100 sq. inch pads you're probably looking at under 175 lbs for a cage. You can use the required minimum tube for all of the main elements and use thinner wall/smaller diameter tube for the non required tubes (x bars, triangulation bars and gussets)

SCCA is no longer giving the weight break to 4130. Same size Mild as Alloy for any new builds/logbooks. Been that way for about the last 3 or 4 years.