Autopower Rollbar - Install phase III - *done*
Installation and finish trimming is finally done. I'm happy with the results on many levels. One of the first things I noticed is how much stiffer the car felt. A number of little rattles I would get on the local roads are gone. There is a side effect that is less than desirable though and that's the 65 MPH shimmy seems to be amplified due to the added stiffness of the car. I HAVE to get the resolved. I dn't know if it's the tires, wheels or just a bad balancing job by the local shop but I never had the shimmy with my stock alloy wheels and used-up Azenis Sports.
Here is the final result. Everything bolted down, padding, backing and carpet trimmed, seats re-installed, roof down, window unzipped. Ah I'm sure you get the point! When I ordered the bar I wanted the crossbrace and the person at Autopower said that I might have some issues with the rear window due to the crossbar. I told them the window was a soft window and that it should be OK, I'll take my chances. Glad I did. I think the cross bar adds some needed stiffness, it's legal for harnesses and it's just fine with the window unzipped.
One of my concerns was trimming of the plastic around the seat belt. Basically I'm not all that handy at cutting straight lines in anything much less plastic that will be readily visible. I was apprehensive. But with some care and the use of a jigsaw/sabersaw I was able to get a very nice and tight fitting trim piece on the first try! Yeah.. so I guess I'm sort of proud of how that part of it turned out. Good thing that does not look like the sheetmetal trimming and bending I had to do under the carpet or I'd be ordering some new (or slightly used) parts. Looks pretty good, I think!
Finally a side view to illustrage how the height of the bar ccompars to the hight of the windshield. One Miata.net member noted that his was about equal to the front windshield. Not sure what year/model his car was but there with the bar I have installed that does not appear to be the case for mine. In fact I'm quite concerned that it's too short to pass the 2" inspection requirement when I am in the seat with my helmet on. Might have to pass on the racing seats and harnesses for now and decided if the bar stays. It wouls stink to have to replace it but I'll do what I need to do so it's meets saftey requirements. This is the STREET bar version so.. perhaps that was my error in ordering. Live and learn?Monday will be the first test of the car with the near bar, springs, coil-overs, brakes, competion pads, header, new catalytic converter and.. sheesh.. who knows what else I did since the last race! Looking forward to it for sure!
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