Experiences With The Bk Rollbar Extension

[adsach]

from another thread

I notice that your car has a Brey Krause rollbar extension. I want to do a posting shortly about how this extension is installed, any disadvantages or problems, etc. But, I have not yet searched the old postings to see if this has been discussed in the past. If I can't find anything I will put it on the BBS, I would appreciate your views.

Since I barely pass broomstick with my helmet off, to go to a DE day I had to either lower my seats (expensive) or get a higher rollbar. I went the usual route and purchased a BK rollbar extension. Why?

Quoting my self in an email

The choices for Boxster roll bar are:

BK rollbar extension - most popular choice. Clamps onto the roll hoops after removing the padding and screens. It can be removed and installed in about 1 hour so easy to take on and off for track days. About $450-500 used . $800 used with the (brain saving) padding

http://www.bkauto.com/porsche/r9050.php

Stable energies roll cage. After removing the Roll hoops, uses the same mounting points for the rear of the cage, uses welded in brackets in the footwell area for the front mount points. Requires cutting the carpet for the brackets and blocks the final 1-2" of seat travel on the passenger side. Think of this as a permanently installed, mostly reversible modification. Unlike the BK rollbar, many PCA clubs allow Boxsters to track with top down if the have a full roll cage. $1000-$1200 new. A used one was available on the Boxster Racing Board a few weeks ago for around $600.

http://stable-energies.com/prodinfo.asp?nu...item=6&mitem=30

Make-your-own: If you have a good shop in you area, they can probably bend you a welded in roll cage for around $500-$800. There would be no point in a make-your-own rollbar extension as it would cost more and probably be rejected as unsafe by more track day organizers.

Experiences:

Easy to install:

This part fits nicely. It takes about 20 minutes to install - and 20 minutes to de-install.

Temporary install:

This is a nicely made device for the track - but annoying for street use. With BK bar installed, the plastic mesh screens that fit inside the roll hoops cannot be used as the main mounting clamps for the rollbar circle the factory roll hoops. Since the BK bar sits above the windshield it brings swirling air into the cabin. It's OK for a few days, but I prefer the Boxster airflow without the rollbar. If I always wanted my beard blowing sideways, I could have bought a Mercedes convertible.

Safety concerns:

I would NEVER use the BK rollbar extention without the safety pads. I am very surprised BK would sell the bar without them.

I do not leave the BK on full time, partly due to safety concerns. Even though I have the official BK pads, they are meant to protect against a helmet impacting the rollbar. A bare head impacting the rollbar pads would be a bad thing, and a tall person with the seat leaned back comes too close for my comfort.

Scratches or goo:

1-2 weeks before a DE day your car must be inspected. This is mostly mechanical, but the inspector is also checking for a track ready car with all the safety equipment installed. I leave the harnesses and fire extinguisher in place for 2 weeks but have to choose between the extra risk of scratches and paint chipping on the roll hoops or having 2 weeks of racers tape on the rollbar. In my experience, racers tape left on 1 or 2 days comes off clean. Racers tape clamped into position and left on for 2 weeks leaves a gooey duct tape residue on the roll hoops.

This problem may be that I am using the wrong kind of tape. I purchased my BK rollbar used so I never saw the original tape. I recently thought of clear '3M stone guard' permanently installed to pad my roll hoops Anyone have a pair of 2 inch by 4 inch StoneGuard strips left over that I can have?

Appearance:

The BK rollbar looks (and is) serious safety equipment. With the roll hoop padding removed, the harnesses installed, the fire extinguisher in place, the BK rollbar extension provides a critical element of the DE 'Bad Girl' look. Pull up the carpeting above the engine and behind the seats and she looks like the kind of girl you don't take home to momma. :censored: