twinvipers
Enthusiast
Went to put my new BTR roll bar in today. After 4 hours of work , it's still not in. Definitely not a simple bolt-in procedure. Will keep you posted tomorrow with pic's also.
Not having fun with my roll bar install
- Thread starter twinvipers
- Start date
ViperRay
Enthusiast
I've been wanting to do this but after installing Teamtech harnesses, and having fun with the bulkheads, I'm not looking to torture myself again just yet. What parts are you having difficulty with?
Dr Roof
Enthusiast
TWINVIPERS
it will be worth the pain of installing it. Nothing better than having a good safety net!
You making plans to come to Bowling Green, Ky for the V-10 Nationals? 10.80 on pilots would yield a very Low 10 on slicks. could run strong in the super Pro Street class!
it will be worth the pain of installing it. Nothing better than having a good safety net!
You making plans to come to Bowling Green, Ky for the V-10 Nationals? 10.80 on pilots would yield a very Low 10 on slicks. could run strong in the super Pro Street class!
Joseph Dell
Enthusiast
I can tell you that the Autoform was 3 hrs and a piece of cake. At least that is w/o the side bars... I'll get to those eventually.
JD
JD
TorQ Junkie
Enthusiast
I bought a BTR bar as well. Waiting for a full day to install replacement harness, seat lowering kit and the roll bar.
Hopefull you will have enough pics for a 'HowTo' posting.
Looking forward to the progress report.
Hopefull you will have enough pics for a 'HowTo' posting.
Looking forward to the progress report.
twinvipers
Enthusiast
Anyone from the New York area going to KY.? How far of a ride ? What are the dates ?
Dr Roof
Enthusiast
Dates
April 16-17
Mike Moundir might make the trip and maybe a couple others.
It will be worth your trip if you love Vipers, If you love to race it is even better!
April 16-17
Mike Moundir might make the trip and maybe a couple others.
It will be worth your trip if you love Vipers, If you love to race it is even better!
twinvipers
Enthusiast
Where would I find info on the event including lodgeing ?
Dr Roof
Enthusiast
twinvipers
Enthusiast
Moundir
I'd say I'm also in around 75% as of now.
I might not finish this roll bat install by then...
I'd say I'm also in around 75% as of now.
I might not finish this roll bat install by then...
PhilC
Enthusiast
Jeff:
I wasn't lying when I told you of my experience with that bar. Never fit right, never will. Sorry to hear of your difficulties though I know how frustrating it is.
Phil
I wasn't lying when I told you of my experience with that bar. Never fit right, never will. Sorry to hear of your difficulties though I know how frustrating it is.
Phil
twinvipers
Enthusiast
I should have listened, but a few guys said it was OK. What a mistake. The piece that the swing out fits onto doesn't even come close to the right angle. I have to have someone now cut and weld my new bar. We have been cutting out the fiberglass on the panel behind the seats for 2 days. What a waste of money. Should of had a custom one put in for less money. Live and learn. BTR says it bolts right in, what a joke...
ViperRay
Enthusiast
I guess I'll reconsider the Autoform bar. Any other positive experiences with the Autoform other than Joe's above?
Dr Roof
Enthusiast
TwinVIpers
Call Tom and see if he can help you out. I have never installed one but I am sure it is not easy.
Call Tom and see if he can help you out. I have never installed one but I am sure it is not easy.
Hoosier Daddy
Enthusiast
Autoform one ain't much easier, you still have to saw off the back fiberglass lip. I had them install mine and they worked like mad at the track and with 2 guys they had it done in 5 hours. You will loose some rearward seat travel also.
Joseph Dell
Enthusiast
No rearward seat travel loss on the RT/10 w/ my autoform. Or at least I don't think so... and I'm 6'0". I had to saw off a little fiberglass as well, but it wasn't hard and the bar fit perfectly.
JD
JD
Hi Twinvipers,
Been there done that, just last week. We're doing a custom project GTS and the owner purchased a BTR bar.
The mounting hole angle of where the bar comes down to the upper seatbelt area was straight, where it needed to be angled to match up with the factory threaded holes. Once we moved the holes in the bar mounting plates 1/2", it fit ok. Yes, we had to cut the fiberglass lip also. The lower plates to the floor needed to have the inside corners cut off so the seat bracket could be bolted back in and I think we also did something to either the holes or the plate to floor angle. That got the main hoop in.
To get the side bar to go in simply required cutting off the original end with the quick pin and changing the angle so the bar would come down on the forward end the 6" it needed to get to the floor. Then we cut the mounting tab off the plate on the forward end and changed the angle so the plate would sit flat on the floor. Then put everything in place, tack welded it, took it out and welded it on the bench. Then we finished up by having the side bar and mounting plate re-powder-coated red.
Oh, we also had to drill out some of the original holes to get the bolts to go through and had to grind some to get the side bar to slip onto its tabs on each end. Took about 9 hours.
Hope that helps,
Regards,
Sean
Been there done that, just last week. We're doing a custom project GTS and the owner purchased a BTR bar.
The mounting hole angle of where the bar comes down to the upper seatbelt area was straight, where it needed to be angled to match up with the factory threaded holes. Once we moved the holes in the bar mounting plates 1/2", it fit ok. Yes, we had to cut the fiberglass lip also. The lower plates to the floor needed to have the inside corners cut off so the seat bracket could be bolted back in and I think we also did something to either the holes or the plate to floor angle. That got the main hoop in.
To get the side bar to go in simply required cutting off the original end with the quick pin and changing the angle so the bar would come down on the forward end the 6" it needed to get to the floor. Then we cut the mounting tab off the plate on the forward end and changed the angle so the plate would sit flat on the floor. Then put everything in place, tack welded it, took it out and welded it on the bench. Then we finished up by having the side bar and mounting plate re-powder-coated red.
Oh, we also had to drill out some of the original holes to get the bolts to go through and had to grind some to get the side bar to slip onto its tabs on each end. Took about 9 hours.
Hope that helps,
Regards,
Sean
twinvipers
Enthusiast
Spoke with Tom and he said he never heard of anyone having the wrong angle or anyone having to trim or cut the fiberglass and here are 3 people saying they had to. Very dissapointed. I'm also going to have to cut and re-weld as well as re-powder coat. I'll try and take some pic's today as I will be working on this project AGAIN.
ViperRay
Enthusiast
I'm glad it's a "bolt-on" product.
V10 MOJO
Enthusiast
and this is EXACTLY why i procrastinate for certain items and upgrades.
i though this rollbar did NOT interfere with seat travel? seems it does though?
itd be nice of someone with a BTR rollbar for an RT could chime in; three things
fit under roof (either hard or soft)
seat travel normal
install like supposed to, without jerryrigging
i though this rollbar did NOT interfere with seat travel? seems it does though?
itd be nice of someone with a BTR rollbar for an RT could chime in; three things
fit under roof (either hard or soft)
seat travel normal
install like supposed to, without jerryrigging
TorQ Junkie
Enthusiast
Has anyone been able to "bolt-in" this BTR bar? Perhaps the fabricators screwed up the jig at some point in time.
97 GTS - I was surprised that it fit so well, it was as though BTR used my car for a template, no cutting, simple install. Make sure you place some protection on the sills/top plate, because, it is difficult to pull the seat out without dragging across the sill and they will get scratched.
ViperRay
Enthusiast
I don't get how there can be such disparate experiences with these bars. Is it quality control (hard to believe with such low volume). It sure can't be technical expertise on the part of the installer if Sean has difficulty. It requires an explanation for those of us interested in doing this mod.
dancojax
Enthusiast
I happened to be at Roe Racing Today getting our GTS Dyno'ed and looked at the finished installation he described in this thread. NICE JOB - LOOKS GREAT -- not sure Nancy could move the seat far enough forward to suit her, but just fine for tall person. The door side bar laps over the door-edge of the driver's seat cushion and might make it a little hard to move the seat all the way forward.
Take Sean's word for what was done - Looks great red!!!!!
Take Sean's word for what was done - Looks great red!!!!!
Jerry Dobson
Enthusiast
I put in a roll bar in my Porsche 15 years ago. It did not fit. I would have thought things were better today.
I too am considering this mod for my GTS
I too am considering this mod for my GTS
twinvipers
Enthusiast
Finally got the bar in and the interior back together. The angle of the swing-out bar is not even close to where it should be. Now I'll have to cut and re-weld. What a joke (bolt-in application).
TorQ Junkie
Enthusiast
Any additional tips on the final install? Did you have to modify the main hoop in any drastic way?
Not looking forward to this potential hair pulling event...
Not looking forward to this potential hair pulling event...
twinvipers
Enthusiast
We had to cut the fibergalss of the rear panel,cut the track on the drivers seat a little and now we have the swing-out nightmare to deal with. Wanted to go to the track today, but I guess that won't happen.
Good luck on your install...let us know how it works for you
P.S. we even had to drill out the holes for the swing-out pin.
Good luck on your install...let us know how it works for you
P.S. we even had to drill out the holes for the swing-out pin.
