Is this cheap because it is terrible???
 

I was talking to my autox s2000 buddy about the $400 roll bar I needed before I could track my car, he said his only cost him $200 and sent me this link.

4 Point Roll Bar - 90-98 MIATA

I'm A LOT of skeptical. But it passes inspection at the track.

Yes, it is cheap because it is terrible. I don't even think it will pass SCCA tech without diagonals. It's also a weld-in bar, and the odds of it fitting properly out of the box are nonexistent. Stop listening to your buddy about safety upgrades.

I just sometimes :facepalm:

If that's an accurate picture, then it doesn't fit very well.

--Ian

Not defending them but they do have option for diagonal.
(Its 25 dollars more, farther pressing me to question quality)

Strongly doubt its an accurate picture (the same shot for all makes and models on that site)

Why only sometimes and not always? (Especially when its me)

I'm not going to sugar coat it because some clueless kid will end up hurting himself with this pile... :facepalm:

That POS kit is made with ERW tubing.
Does ERW mean anything to you?
Yes? No?
Put the welder down and call some roll bar manufacturer that makes real roll bars, send your payment and follow the installation instructions when you get it.

No one that knows what ERW means would even think about buying that crap in the first place because roll over structures are made out of DOM.
See how when you specify that you want the kit with DOM tubing the price goes up to $400?!
Not that killer deal anymore.

I will compare it for convenience sake to a single diagonal Blackbird Fabworx roll bar, which is a 4 point roll bar that is made out of the right materials, thicknesses, legal for SCCA and NASA sanctioned events, comes with detailed instructions, powder coated for a beautiful finish and was designed by someone that actually knows what he's doing (imagine that!), all for $495.
That is $95 difference for all the important know-how, all the manufacturing processes, powder coating and instructions.
Why in the world would anyone want to buy one of those kits?!

BTW, your buddy might be skating by tech because he probably painted the bar which hides the fact that it's the wrong tubing, ERW is not legal as a material to use for roll over structure.

OP if you've having a hard time justifying buying expensive if quality parts just remember the resale value. This is a weld in bar which will be a bitch to fit in, and a bitch to take out when sell it. Very few if any people will want a bar like this and you will lose money. Where as if you get a quality Blackbird Fabworx, Boss Frog etc. they will hold their value MUCH better by the end and basically you will end up spending less long-term. Do it right, don't skimp on safety equipment.

His life is worth $95 apparently

$96.05, because freedom isn't free.

To get the correct material on the sight it adds 200 bucks (DOM). Then it's closer to 400 bucks. You'll need to add a cross brace, add a few more bucks. Sounds like you'll need a tube notcher, ones that aren't awful are 200 bucks. Without considering paint, or welding equipment you're in around 600 bucks. Or you can call up moti and have a really nice gt3 bar. your call.

I gave you a prop because you were skeptical enough to question before buying, and this thread may seem pointless, but if it stops just one person from making the mistake of buying that bar, starting this thread was worth it.

Aside from safety aspects, buying a nice bar from a fabricator like Blackbird ensures you will have a straightforward installation process that has been designed to pick up the right points on the chassis, and he will make recommendations to do things like add the proper SFI padding to the bar so it doesn't split your skull open. This is a good thing.

On the other hand, the bar fabbed out of crap material by "Bub" will probably not fit right at all and take days of blood, sweat, and cursing to install.

There is a race shop down the street called Lyfe motorsports and thats where I started my roll bar journey. I spoke with a gentleman called ron and he and his team could fab me one for about 1500. With what in mind I started counting my pennies because I knew safety wouldn't come cheap. In searching I found sever in the 400-600 range from hard dog, boss frog, and blackbird. So when my buddy told me about this one and it was "trackable", I couldn't help but investigate.

Your buddy is a moron. Tell him to stop being a moron :)

We work with lyfe. They are one of the best car builders in the country. If you want it done right, take it there. They will be on the high cost side of the scale.

1500 for a roll cage or roll bar? if the latter, it better be gold plated and come with a hand job

GT-R shop. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ac4bb60d15.jpg

O I see. Maybe they can sell him a test pipe for $1200 too

As far as the fitment goes i'm sure it would be way off and probably wouldn't work with a hard top. Even my quality roll bar that was designed to fit under the hard top has slight fitment issues with the clips on the hard top rubbing just a slight bit so if that happens with a quality roll bar I cant imagine fitment issues with this thing and it being weld in not just for hard top applications but fitment in general.

GUUUYYYS.....Guuuys......guys.

Its totally cool I found this one on ebay. Its shiny so I know its good.

For 1990 2005 Mazda Miata MX5 Polish Stainless Steel Stabilize Support Roll Bar | eBay