can i see some pics of the front mounting point of a 10 point cage. where it goes in relation to the dash, in front of it or through it. i've seen far away shots of both and would like some clearer shots. also has anyone kept their cooling ducts as well?

 

I'll show you a pic but you wouldn't like it. The a-piller bar runs through where the "dash" used to be. I've cut the dash to go between the 2 a-piller bars with nothing on the outside of the bars. You can see that I also don't have any real "dash" left either except for the modified dash pad.

I didn't like where the bars would have been if they were mounted in front of the dash. It's hard enough to climb out of the car with the a-piller bars closer to the firewall. I also have X bars for my door bars.

 

stephen....i completely agree with you on this point. i'm 6 foot and 255 and couldn't imagine getting out of the car with the dash bars in front of the dash--cuts off 6inches of room at least. i was hoping for a better solution, but i don't think the bars will go behind the dash and keep a functional heater duct system either. maybe someone else has done it.

 

You could get some bars custom bent to wrap around the dash. Nothing says they have to be straight.

You can also have a swing out door bar to allow you to get in and out easier. Can't be done with X bars like that.

 

I like the A- pillar bars on Tory Hess's car. It looks like the heater might still be functional from the way the bars are mounted more inboard from the pillars.
http://www.rhodescustomauto.com/tory.htm

 

i seriously doubt that this competition engineering kit that i bought could keep a functional heater as well. i guess time will tell on what my options are. seeing the welder this week.

thanks for the link as well.

 

I did mine very similar to Tory's car. I even removed my armrests like he did so I could kick out the side bars for additional arm room. While I did take my heater out (and it never did have AC), I don't see any problem with keeping the heater functional. I even put in a dash bar and was able to retain the defroster duct. The only real concern would be for the blower motor, if you plan on running bars through your firewall, which I did also. When you got to have your cage done, be sure to take your dash carrier, pad and heater case (and other interior parts where the bars will run close by) along with you for mock-up fitting.

 

Here's another with the dash out where you can see how the tubes intersect each other. You can also see where the bar goes through the firewall to the strut tower:

 

One more to show the relationship of the dash carrier and the dash bar (1 1/4" diameter CM). While a dash bar isn't necessary to get the cage certified (with an unmodified firewall), it really helps to tie the front half of the cage together, and is highly recommended. The defroster duct fits "snugly" between the dash bar and the firewall:

 

mike thanks for the pics. i'll bring them to the welder and see what happens.

 

I got this 10 point from SW race cars. 11.89 off the trailer !!!!
Hope this helps.

Moderator edit:
You need to make that picture a lot smaller. Not everyone has broadband. Try to keep it under 800x600

 

why don't you send me that pic since it was deleted.