Thoughts about a Heigo cage?

[misteralz]

I blame my eldest. Most of you have seen my 964. It's 'usable' rather than Concours, which means I'm not actually afraid to use it. And improve it - the B6s, Eibach springs, and the Wiechers strutbrace have all made it just that little bit more fun without being a nightmare. The carbon fibre tinware should get a decent amount of weight out of the back of it as well. Anyway. My eldest. He doesn't fit in the back seat anymore. Neither does my youngest. Which prompted him to ask when I'm getting rid of the back seats and putting a cage in. I told him not to be stupid. However. The thought has been nagging away at me. FVD do a Heigo cage that bolts in. It looks cool. I could mount my fire extinguisher to it, rather than have it rolling around in a rear footwell. It might tighten up the shell a touch? I don't know.
Does anyone here have a cage in a 'street' car, and if so, what are their thoughts?

[hot66]

I use my rear seats in the 964 for luggage space …. Make sure any cage doesn’t render the space useless… don’t forget to tell your insurance too

[DustyM]

Yes I’ve had them in my previous 964 and will fit one (also Heigo) into my current project. Benefit on the street is probably negligible, but it’s a comfort having it there on track.


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[yoda]

I had one in my 964 RS and always liked it. Can’t comment on the performance improvements but it looked cool. I always wanted a 911 with a roll cage in it!

My early 911 has a full race cage in it and it makes a substantial difference to the rigidity of the car.

Bin the fire extinguisher and buy a Firestick. Smaller, lighter, lasts longer, easier to use etc. and a no brainer in my view.

[misteralz]

James, yep, I do as well. Seats flat, beer crates on top, contraband in the hollow formed between the seat bases and backs. Not really required these days. Insurance not a worry here - it'd be noted at the next valuation.

DustyM, I'm not one for track work, but never say never. Do you have any pics of it installed? Seems hard to find, and I'm curious as to where the main hoop ends up, especially as I'm 6'2" so typically have a bit of recline going on.

Yoda, yeah. Looks ace! Not going to go full cage though, as it needs to remain usable. Been meaning to check out Firesticks after chatting with Gary about them at CLM in '22...

[DustyM]

I don’t have any good pictures but you can just about make it out here


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[KS]

Best I can do... Williams Crawford ST currently for sale.

[misteralz]

Thanks guys. Looks like the main hoop wants to be where my head usually is. Nice excuse for some ABEs or Pole Positions, I guess...

[911hillclimber]

I fitted a full 6 point motorsport approved cage in my road/hillclimb 73T after a good thump at Shelsley Walsh in 1993.
Cage still in the car, but now this last year without the rear diagonal bar for better visibility, easier to clean the inside of the rear screen, and less of the boy-racer look. It has no rear seats.

To comply with motorsport, the cage must be covered in correct density impact foam tube locally where you helmet might impact.

I think this is a wise thing when driving the car on the road too, so my cage is protected for the driver and passenger sides.

The cage above is a 4 point design so no tubes around the windscreen and down close to the A pillars which cramp getting in/out of the car somewhat.

All in all, a caged 911 is safer in an impact than one without, but not sure just how serious a thought that is, but lots of 2+ tonne Range rovers and EV's out there now looking to race you!

[matteo68]

Carpoint do a 4 point hoop with the diagonal going the other way, just like the 21 2.5 S-Rs had…




https://www.carpoint.de/en/porsche-spar ... _1245_2176

[misteralz]

That's very cool, Matt. Very attractive price, too! Looks like it bolts to the tops of the sills, though? The thing that attracted me to the Heigo one is that it's located by the seatbelt mounts, which are designed to take some serious loads. And it's obviously reversible!
And always good to hear real-world experiences. Hadn't even thought about cleaning the rear glass being more of an arse.

[matteo68]

Yes it does. It’s a replica of the original hoop included in the ‘70-‘73 Porsche serial (and competition) parts list (albeit with the diagonal going the other way):




The feet are attached to threaded crows’ feet plates which are welded into place on the door sills just behind the opening:

[911hillclimber]

Not sure if these will help or hinder, but some pics from way way back with the cage going it, diy of course. This was in 1993 ish, my little daughter is now 39!
This cage is tight to the inside of the car, and was hard to get the loop into the shell.
In this design you loose the sun visors so the car has a deep tint film on the inside of the top of the screen.

[misteralz]

Very helpful posts both, thank you. I've got a pair of Pole Positions in my Marktplaats saved items now. Because of course I'd have to go all in.

[911hillclimber]

As I commented earlier, this is my ex hillclimb car, and built when old 911's were cheap, and I've never been a stickler for originality!
I still have the car.

If the car gets into a crunch the cage must be deeply secure and this is why the mounting plates are substantial and need good welds, and high tensile M10 bolts.
There are 16 such bolts holding the cage to the shell.

I did the same to my next hillclimb car, a fast Impreza. When I sold it to build my Lola the next owner flew through the air literally and barrel rolled the car at 80 mph, the first impact was on the driver's side front top corner...

The cage and my welds stood up and he got out with a cracked rib, a a bill to re-shell the car.

Cages (for me) make for a safe feeling esp if the going can get tough, road or track, but many disagree.