MX5 Mk3 - Safety Devices half-cage install

[MagicalTrevor]

Purely because the Safety Devices half-cage hasn't been installed on its own before (the full-cage normally gets installed in stripped out racing cars), I thought I'd share some photos and details about my install.

I compete in Sprint events so this car is pretty much only used for track/test days and competition. The OEM roll hoop sits too low for (I'm 6ft) and lacks any rear stays. I'm not convinced that it would offer much protection in a crash, especially on track.

At this stage, many people go for a TR Lane or GC Fabrications roll bar. I've no opinions on the quality of these items but they're limited by the need to keep the soft top and that means no rear stays. That didn't sit right with me because I feel that there's potential for an unsupported hoop to bend back or forward(!) in the event of flipping the car.

Caged can do a cage but it was clear that this was custom and therefore expensive! Safety Devices listed the mk3/NC cage on their website and it seemed like a reasonable price. Similar price to the others although installation was going to cost more due to proper welded in mounting plates. I ended up getting Paul Sheard Autos to install the cage for me.

The more difficult task was actually finding a seat that sat low enough for me to sit in with sufficient clearance! I ended up with a Tillet B6F but that's a story for another thread!







You can see from the photos that I had to remove some trim from the OEM hard top to get the cage to fit. The race cars don't have roofs and not do they have road-going trim on their roof!




My next task is to try and refit some interior trim as my Sprint class means I'm expected to not remove trim i.e. it can't compete in its current state.

Here's a shot of seats prior to the cage going in. The harness was mounted like that as a temporary measure... it's not the correct thing to do!!

[MagicalTrevor]

Because the eagle-eyed amongst you will spot it, the white panel at the back replaces the OEM firewall. This is a GRP solution that is currently loose but will be sealed in place. The OEM firewall is full of holes and has gaps around the side. It's not really suitable for competition so this is a much safer option.

[Evoluzione]

Thanks for posting as it's something I have an interest in, but a few things confuse me. This is a GC Fabs rear roll hoop with door bars and rear stays, it can be made for soft top, removable hard top or PRHT:



Your SD seems to have some nasty looking attachments still on it, are you going to cut them off?
I also don't get why the lower seat, to clear what?
Who does the GRP part?

[MagicalTrevor]

Evoluzione said:

Thanks for posting as it's something I have an interest in, but a few things confuse me. This is a GC Fabs rear roll hoop with door bars and rear stays, it can be made for soft top, removable hard top or PRHT:



Your SD seems to have some nasty looking attachments still on it, are you going to cut them off?
I also don't get why the lower seat, to clear what?
Who does the GRP part?

Good questions!

I looked at the GCF/TRL bars and didn’t feel they offered enough support like rear stays. Your pic there looks better but not really enough for my level of cautiousness.

The attachments (lap joints) are to fit the front cage section. SD can produce the cage without these but there’s a 6 week wait and then I’d be unable to upgrade later. My plan is to cover them in rollcage padding but it’s pretty well shrouded by the roof. Not ideal but sufficiently out of the way.

I got a lower seat because the OEM seat sat too high and my 6ft height meant that, with a helmet, the top was too high and I’d have to stoop slightly to fit with the roof up. Also the line from the windscreen to the hoop was too low, the first thing to hit the floor would be my head.

Paul Sheard does the GRP part

[Evoluzione]

MagicalTrevor said:

Good questions!

I looked at the GCF/TRL bars and didn’t feel they offered enough support like rear stays. Your pic there looks better but not really enough for my level of cautiousness.

The attachments (lap joints) are to fit the front cage section. SD can produce the cage without these but there’s a 6 week wait and then I’d be unable to upgrade later. My plan is to cover them in rollcage padding but it’s pretty well shrouded by the roof. Not ideal but sufficiently out of the way.

I got a lower seat because the OEM seat sat too high and my 6ft height meant that, with a helmet, the top was too high and I’d have to stoop slightly to fit with the roof up. Also the line from the windscreen to the hoop was too low, the first thing to hit the floor would be my head.

Paul Sheard does the GRP part

I'll be interested to know what you do with the cup holders in the door, I don't know about you, but they're right where my knee is and they cut in. I should imagine in an accident they'll cause some real damage, why Mazda put them there in the first place is beyond me. They seem to have got so many things just right, but obvious things like that unnoticed until the car is released.
I was really pissed off as a pair of late model door cards (recessed cup holders) came up for sale at a good price, but it was prior to me finding a suitable car for this project so I didn't buy them, regretting it now.
I have yet to get in with helmet on, so no doubt will have worse issues as I have another 1.5" on you. I've pondered over going full cage and found the SD is the one to have, but it's a big step and am worried about actually fitting in it afterwards, probably the GCF pictured will be the one to go for as it seems to tick all boxes.

I think it's about time I opened a thread on my exploits so far....

P.S. I don't think you've discovered the European NC FB page.

[MagicalTrevor]

Oddly, the cup holders don't bother me and now I don't have to brace, probably won't in the future.

In terms of a comparison, the SD half cage isn't THAT much more expensive really.

Thanks for the heads up on the Euro Facebook page

[5er]

Very interesting, this.

I'd love to know more about the seats; what brackets/hardware you've used to fit them, how you went about it, how much room there is? I assume you've got no door cards? I was considering the B6F but as I couldn't find anyone else who'd fitted them on an NC, I've gone with B5s to be on the safe side of sizing (only got one in up to now tho).

Edited by 5er on Friday 20th April 16:57

[MagicalTrevor]

5er said:

Very interesting, this.

I'd love to know more about the seats; what brackets/hardware you've used to fit them, how you went about it, how much room there is? I assume you've got no door cards? I was considering the B6F but as I couldn't find anyone else who'd fitted them on an NC, I've gone with B5s to be on the safe side of sizing (only got one in up to now tho).

Edited by 5er on Friday 20th April 16:57

I’m developing my own mount for sale soon. I found that the other options sat off-centre so I had a prototype commissioned and it’s near readiness.

I have door cards. There’s loads of room now the mount is centralised to the steering wheel (again the other versions are too close to the door).

You’re right, I couldn’t find anybody else that had fitted B6F seats either but the measurements worked out and it was clear that it would fit.

[5er]

I wasn't convinced by the aftermarket options either, I went with some that a chap had fabbed up on the NC Facebook group, and my B5 sits bang on central.

I should have actually said that I was looking at the B6 XL/Screamer version, as I'm quite broad. Steve Tillett suggested I would perhaps better suit the B5 but I remain curious about the B6...