Half cage versus full cage versus none
Turbo Mini Forums

Help us settle a debate over on another forum.

Is a half cage any better than none at all?

We figured it might be in a low speed roll, but a proper full on crash would be different.

The car in question is a MkII Golf.

Thanks

Edited by Nicky on 20th Feb, 2006.

BTW- this is in reference to this thread (kicks off on page 2/3)

HA HA HA HA HA HA

Its a good job they don't come on here, they'd soon get upset with our level of banter.

Alex you gay twat........ :) :)

Hah, they did didn't they. However, recent post that a half roll cage improves body stiffening when only bolted to the floor.

You know when you have to stuff your fist into your mouth to shut yourself up?

"oh lee, you are but a flowerly faggot for your half polished cage of rolling, i shall taunt you on the streets by waving my mincy gloves at you"

Right, here are some pics I've had for a few years, but have relented from putting on any forum - but this reminded me of it, and as it's been several years.....
This was/is a very large manufacturing plant somewhere in England. The story goes, that on the night shift - one of the lads (either leaving or arriving) lost control of his mini in the carpark, and this was the outset.

Note this was a relativly new Cooper, not some bodged up rusty mess.

I believe, the lad driving lost one or more fingers from the roof/tarmac coming down onto the steering wheel - but I can't confirm this. Other than that; he was unhurt. In short - don't ask me any more about the accident; don't take guesses at where it is becuase I'll neither admit nor deny; just look at the pictures...

I've said several times, that the next mini I build will have a decent welded in T45 cage. I just hope I NEVER need one in my current mini.


http://www.davecoxon.co.uk/x1x1.jpg
http://www.davecoxon.co.uk/x1x2.jpg
http://www.davecoxon.co.uk/x1x3.jpg
http://www.davecoxon.co.uk/x1x4.jpg
http://www.davecoxon.co.uk/x1x5.jpg
http://www.davecoxon.co.uk/x1x6.jpg

Edited by turbodave16v on 20th Feb, 2006.

Wow that place is like a parallel universe (I suspect it is actually).

There is no right or wrong to this one.

If you fit a cage to a car and drive around with no helmet, then in some accidents it'll save your life and in otheres it'll kill you.

Petrsonally I think in a Mini you'd be better with it, but in a golf it'd be debatable. Probably still with it, at least in the early ones.

wil

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Dave, how the hell did he manage that?

AlexF

jesus, thats awful. looks like it was just dropped onto its roof.

that could have been easily obtained if driving quickly forward, catching something with the lower front wing would flip it onto its roof like that.... having dealt with a few crashes, and ones involving minis, i would only put a full cage in, as in a front end smash the half cage does not stop the engine / wheels / other car landing on your lap, i will dig out the photos of a mini gt having a head on with a lorry, needless to say a FATAL ! both front doors popped open and the front of the car crushed back to make the front doors slide over the rear wings , so it looked like a bootlid and two doors !!!! a cage would have made the car bounce back away from the loory, rather than the soft metal absorbing the shock. i am with dave on this one get a full cage welded in proper if you want fast minis on roads n tracks

Edited by Richie on 21st Feb, 2006.

______________________________________________________
TRADER HALL OF FAME
BENROSS...MINIMARK..WOLFIE (comic genius).....CARL....MARTPAUL.......AXEL
______________________________________________________
TRADERS OF SHAME
1 user....pm me 4 details

LEGENDS
MikeRace, Mini13

I agree with what you say but I do think if you hit an HGV head on with a mini with a full roll cage welded in you will probably be in a fatal accident and it wont be the lorry driver that will be having a funeral.

ps please dont try it to prove me wrong.

Edited by AllanMcD on 21st Feb, 2006.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Back to the original question:

Yes, and no.

In a roll, sure the car would be better. There's more structure over the drivers head.

In a front crash, I can't really see any change. Any strengthening required would be infront of the driver to make any difference.

In a rear end shunt, no. Much worse. It'd transfer the forces directly from the rear wheels to the seatbelt anchor points/sill. This would effectively move the weak point of the structure to the front floor, which would crumple and crush the driver into the firewall.

______________________________________________________
TRADER HALL OF FAME
BENROSS...MINIMARK..WOLFIE (comic genius).....CARL....MARTPAUL.......AXEL
______________________________________________________
TRADERS OF SHAME
1 user....pm me 4 details

LEGENDS
MikeRace, Mini13

IMO this has got to be better than nothing

Team Racing

Bloomin 'eck Jimster! Now that's a cage!

MFT, that wasn't the question. The question was only about a rear cage. I agree with you though if it were a full cage.

appologies ! i read the title :(

______________________________________________________
TRADER HALL OF FAME
BENROSS...MINIMARK..WOLFIE (comic genius).....CARL....MARTPAUL.......AXEL
______________________________________________________
TRADERS OF SHAME
1 user....pm me 4 details

LEGENDS
MikeRace, Mini13

Thanks Pete,

sorry for the shameless plug, but if anyone is interested in having a cage like mine in T45 contact Endaf www.owensfabrication.com

Team Racing

I like jimster roll cage is it home made

1293 Turbo mini

Jimmy, the cage was made by Endaf Owens www.owensfabrication.com it is all t45

Team Racing

any excuse for jimster to flash his cage

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

what is it his new toy for drag racing :cool:

1293 Turbo mini

its his old drag racing toy

pmsl

:p

Alex

AlexF

they are old pics now, that was done a a few years back

Team Racing