*Not my words
“Planning on adding a roll bar/cage of some sorts to my ride and in doing so was searching all over the forums and came across this piece of sexyness.
Worst idea ever, was the frist thing that popped into my head but apparently it’s gonging to be full FIA approved and already TUV approved. Is 100% carbon, not some steel or chromoly wraped gig here, with “anti-splinter” technology and is 75% lighter than a steel cage.
Developed by Oakley Design for 996 and 997’s only at the moment.
Pretty sweet.”
eek, I would be very very wary of something like that. For a few reasons:
carbon fiber’s strength is often greater on paper than it is in application… the airbus for an example had a problem with its wings not being able to hold the weight that the computer model said it could. (they did eventually figure out their issue
transitions at the base of the cage are most likely done with some sort of bonding agent which while probably very very strong it is subject to many more problems than welds. Everything from shear strength, strength in different humidity, strength in different temperatures (does it get brittle when cold?) etc.
Hidden defects. I’m not sure of what the manufacturer uses to inspect the quality of the cage but unless they have an incredibly advanced and expensive technique this would be subject to minor defects, bubbles, cracks, etc which would go unnoticed and completely undermine the strength of the entire system.
with that being said I’m sure if you charge enough money it can be done. Cars like the CGT and Enzo utilize carbon fiber in ways that really pushes it to its limits. of course both of those cars have a million dollar price tag. I would expect an equally expensive price tag on this piece.
The TUV only certifies that things are as safe as stock using reasonable estimates. Since few road cars come with cages from the factory :shifty, they’ve determined it’s safer than not having one… which some smart people will disagree with as well.
I bet the FIA hasnt certified it for very much. Anyone have a cert #?
That cage must have MASSIVe amounts of R&D put into it if it passes FIA certification.
Here’s my input…cages are designed to ABSORD the impact by deformation and energy transferral. Cages give and bend in an impact to reduce the shock load and keep the drivers safe. Good cages are designed to direct the energy of an impact around the occupants.
CF is different. In an impact carbon composite crash structures absorb and dissipate crash energy by self destrucing. Prime example are the nose cones of F1 cars. The composites literally blow apart in a controlled manner, dissipating the energy of the impact as it goes. this cage would have to do the same in one manner or another.
Oakley doesn’t screw around, they do exhorbant amounts of research in their products and I’m sure that this part has just that, but at a HUGE price. http://start.fedoraproject.org/
second point I’ll make on this…I typically build most cages from DOM. The reason being is that DOM, unlike chromoly or CF in this case, can be repaired. In the event of a slight impact, say to the door bars, you can cut/form, bend and repair the cage with new DOM. Chromoly you can’t due to the nature of the material and how it transfers energy and often fracture during an impact. CF…forget it. If you do a small shot to the car in the same manner as above, the cage would have to be completely thrown out. The complete structural integrity of the cage is compromised and 99% of it wouldn’t be visible. In the event of a larger impact, that compromised cage could become projectiles or worse, collapse and turn you into a human shish kabob.
so…point blank if you have the stupid money to spend on such a cage go for it, but be prepared to toss it away in even a small fender bender…
Why would you want something so ludicrous? Cars with cages are made to be destroyed…THAT is not made to be destroyed…It’s made to look good…steel is your best friend in a serious rollover or tire wall impact…simple and plain.
Oh, no no no no no! I just spotted this little bit on the internets and wanted to see what the rest of you think. Not everything I post is something I plan to install in my car.
Thats cool, but honestly probably won’t be in anything I will get to drive in my life time, so I will never really need to find out if it is safe enough.
