A1 cage

[Grumpa]

I am considering fabricating a new cage for my A1. A few questions/thoughts in regards to the subject. 1) Should the rear main hoop bracing tie into the top of the rear shock mounts? 2) Is it legal to mount the rear hoop in the "pockets" that are just behind the front seats? Is this area considered the floor of the car? I am tall (6'4") and the extra leg room would be nice. 3) The car was registered prior to '95, however, fabrication of a new cage would require adherence to the 100 square inch rule regarding mounting plates. Correct? 4) With the exception of the heater, is it legal for the dashboard to be gutted internally? Also, does a replacement gauge panel have to fit in the original OEM space? 5) Should the forward braces (+2 option) tie into the front wheel wells as high as possible? Or would projecting the tube downward to the well from the windshield angle of the front brace be better? Thanks for your input on this subject. One other thought, unrelated to the cage. Is it legal to use the washer bottle as a breather?

[lateapex911]

I am not a VW guy, so my free opinion counts even less!

1- I'll pass...
2- Probably...generally, the interpretations on this aspect are rather loose. Many cages have just a corner of the big plate contacting the "floor" of the car.
3- I believe any new cage must meet current specs...you will be getting it restamped, which will result in a "new" logbook, correct?
4- I don't think so. You may only remove items that are specifically listed in the GCR. *If* you need to run a cage tube and there are items that interfere, it is permissable to modify those items. Which is not to say build a cross car tube shaped like a big "W" and remove the whole dash!
5- Dunno
6- sure, why not? As long as all the washer bottle parts (ie: any attached pumps,hoses, etc) are not removed, you should be fine. Be sure to cut the trigger wire to any pumps though, so that in the event of an accidental application of washer fluid you don't oil down your windshield!
4

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[Dave Zaslow]

Before we go on, please observe a second of silence for my rabbit which went to the crusher this week ........................................

OK, now to some answers:

IMHO

1. Just below the top and wrapping around the wheelwell from front to back. Tubes tie into plate at the front and a secondary tube should go between both sides.

2. Yes,if the plate extends down the rockers to the floor.

3. Yes.

4a. No, except where needed for the optional cross bar and the installation of guages.

4b. No, but the space where the radio used to be, the space immediatly to its right, and the open box above the vents are an easy an visible spot for a ton of gauges.

5. I prefer high. Leaves the wheelwell as the dead padal.

6. Keep the washer bottle functional. There will come a time that someone blows up in front of you. Go to home depot and by a 4" strap metal pipe hanger. Find a beverage bottle of suitable diameter and capacity, then hog out the top to the size of your breather hose. Attach part A to car, insert part B into part A. Place hose into B. Done. This will fit especially nicely into the spot immediatly behind the washer.

Good Luck,

Dave Z

[Speed Raycer]

Originally posted by Dave Zaslow:
5. I prefer high. Leaves the wheelwell as the dead padal.

That's a little scary when you think about it. I've always viewed the optional forward brace on the drivers side as protecting the drivers foot from intrusion from the tire or other object in an offangle collision.



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Scott Rhea
It's not what you build...
it's how you build it

Izzy's Custom Cages

[theenico]

Here's the optional tubes in my 83 Scirocco. They tie in to the backside of where the firewall, wheel well, and crush tubes overlap.

Drivers side:


Passenger side:


By the way, it's for sale in the classified section.

Sorry for the shameless plug

Nico