C6 Coupes Have Built-In Roll Bar?
07-27-2006, 01:34 AM
#1
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C6 Coupes Have Built-In Roll Bar?
Does anyone know if my 06 C6 Coupe has a Built-In Roll Bar behind the Targa Top? Or is the windshield structure strong enough to act as a Roll Bar? I was wondering how strong the Coupe would be in a roll over wreck. Any knowledge on this matter would be appreciated!
07-27-2006, 02:20 AM
#2
Team Owner
I wouldn't call it a roll bar but it is a structural member that could offer some helpful added protection in a roll over, certainly more than in the convertibles at least.
The windshield header/frame is the same way, very strong though not quite roll bar material.
The windshield header/frame is the same way, very strong though not quite roll bar material.
07-27-2006, 09:04 AM
#3
x
Originally Posted by LS1LT1
I wouldn't call it a roll bar but it is a structural member that could offer some helpful added protection in a roll over, certainly more than in the convertibles at least.
The windshield header/frame is the same way, very strong though not quite roll bar material.
The windshield header/frame is the same way, very strong though not quite roll bar material.
07-27-2006, 02:01 PM
#5
Team Owner
Originally Posted by NOLESRULE
Are you refering to the "halo"???
07-27-2006, 02:26 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
There was a thread several months back that had pictures of a yellow coupe that rolled out at Willow Springs raceway. Someone even had a picture they took of a car in the pits, and in the background was the car as it was rolling. The "hoop" held up OK, but the windshield frame work didn't. I did a quick search but couldn't find the thread. Sorry.
Neither the driver or the passenger were seriously hurt in the mishap, but they both needed fresh underwear.
Neither the driver or the passenger were seriously hurt in the mishap, but they both needed fresh underwear.
07-27-2006, 04:44 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by mlongo99
You mean this car?
That was a pretty extreme case.
That was a pretty extreme case.
In other words, YIKES!
Thanks for finding it.
Don
07-27-2006, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Andrew T. Clifton
Does anyone know if my 06 C6 Coupe has a Built-In Roll Bar behind the Targa Top? Or is the windshield structure strong enough to act as a Roll Bar? I was wondering how strong the Coupe would be in a roll over wreck. Any knowledge on this matter would be appreciated!
07-27-2006, 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by TTRotary
If that had been a vert, both guys would now be dead.
As you can see, the halo is barely enough.
As you can see, the halo is barely enough.
No crash is just a minor crash - Here is a BMW from Mid-Ohio Grand Am race . . . .
http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...=m3flipmp4.flv
and why roll cages and HANS devices are so important. Yes he walked away
Last edited by AU N EGL; 07-27-2006 at 05:57 PM.
07-27-2006, 09:17 PM
#12
Race Director
Holy Sh*t !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Once you are sailing through the infield with both feet in, all bets are off.
One of the reasons I am now in a dedicated race car at the track.
Once you are sailing through the infield with both feet in, all bets are off.
One of the reasons I am now in a dedicated race car at the track.
07-28-2006, 12:21 PM
#14
Race Director
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
No crash is just a minor crash - Here is a BMW from Mid-Ohio Grand Am race . . . .
http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...=m3flipmp4.flv
and why roll cages and HANS devices are so important. Yes he walked away
07-28-2006, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackOps
There was a thread several months back that had pictures of a yellow coupe that rolled out at Willow Springs raceway. Someone even had a picture they took of a car in the pits, and in the background was the car as it was rolling. The "hoop" held up OK, but the windshield frame work didn't. I did a quick search but couldn't find the thread. Sorry.
Neither the driver or the passenger were seriously hurt in the mishap, but they both needed fresh underwear.
Neither the driver or the passenger were seriously hurt in the mishap, but they both needed fresh underwear.
That B-pillar got pushed wayyyyy down. That's really scary. Shouldn't do that. I know it's not a "roll bar" technically, but if the car crushed down that easily from a roof impact, that means the structural member is only adept at addressing torsional rigidity and not actually being able to support the car in a roll-over. And the A-pillar could've killed them as well from that pic. Just plain scary. Definitely getting a roll bar, but darn it for this car not being built better to withstand a flip. Sports cars need to be able to handle high speed mishaps better IMO. Otherwise, they're adding speed potential without more protection--never a smart thing.
07-29-2006, 01:15 AM
#16
A competition grade roll cage would add at least 350 pounds to the weight of the car. What do you want to give up to allow for that weight? Power seats? Power windows? Air conditioning? Stereo? All of the above and more to shed the entire 350 pounds?
Or would you rather the car take the performance hit of the extra weight? Realize that extra weight doesn't just affect acceleration, it also impacts stopping distance and lateral acceleration (ie handling).
Actual race cars are stripped of luxury items to keep their weight in check, but the average guy buying a new Corvette wants all those toys. That's why you have a thin aluminum box section in the B pillar instead of a good steel roll cage.
Or would you rather the car take the performance hit of the extra weight? Realize that extra weight doesn't just affect acceleration, it also impacts stopping distance and lateral acceleration (ie handling).
Actual race cars are stripped of luxury items to keep their weight in check, but the average guy buying a new Corvette wants all those toys. That's why you have a thin aluminum box section in the B pillar instead of a good steel roll cage.
07-29-2006, 02:44 AM
#17
Team Owner
Originally Posted by shopdog
A competition grade roll cage would add at least 350 pounds to the weight of the car.
I know the typical 6 point drag racing roll bar only adds about 40-50 pounds to a C5 and the forward 'A pillar' bars/cages add roughly another 30-40 over that.
I'll assume that a fully triangulated/cross braced/tied to the frame cage is more complicated than even the typical amateur level drag race cage.
07-29-2006, 08:40 AM
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A few pics of the frame.
07-29-2006, 04:04 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by Andrew T. Clifton
Does anyone know if my 06 C6 Coupe has a Built-In Roll Bar behind the Targa Top? Or is the windshield structure strong enough to act as a Roll Bar? I was wondering how strong the Coupe would be in a roll over wreck. Any knowledge on this matter would be appreciated!
I can't find the reference material right now but GM has stated that the C6 was designed as a convertable form the ground up and as such the A pilliar and windshield support structure were strong enough to support the weight of the entire vehicle during a roll over negating the need for a roll bar to meet NHSTA safty requirements.
If your still uncomfortable , add the roll bar ...but remember show bars do very little to protect occupants.
Pat
