Time to get caged!

I've got a generous check coming back from the gov't soon, so I can finally afford a roll cage. I really dont want to spend more the $500 on the cage, however. I know a want an 8-point, nothing more or less. Mild Steel vs. Chrome-Moly, whats the differences? Prefered brands?
Also, should I buy a pre-bent cage kit or should I have it custom fab'd at a local welding/racing shop? I may do the welding myself if I get one in the mail, as I am a certified welder. Opinions all?

I prefer chrome-moly, and I would also prefer custom work. Problem is, custom work cost money.

From what I've seen in my area. Shops charge 600-900 for a good custom 8 point cage.

Chrome-Moly can meet track specs and be a lot lighter vs. Mild Steel but chrome-moly cost a lot more.

I like to just get pre-bent which gives you a good base and then modify them a little bit for what you want. I like S&W Race Cars cages so check them out.

I dont know much about cages. But I do know that you want them to fit as tight as possible in order to give the most strength.

Chrome-Moly can meet track specs and be a lot lighter vs. Mild Steel but chrome-moly cost a lot more.

I like to just get pre-bent which gives you a good base and then modify them a little bit for what you want. I like S&W Race Cars cages so check them out.

I checked em out. Good prices, a lot of em too. But no Chrome-Moly option? Also, what do you mean by modify?

I checked em out. Good prices, a lot of em too. But no Chrome-Moly option? Also, what do you mean by modify?

They have Chrome-moly but you have to call for pricing.

By modify I mean you tweak it a lil. My 10-point S&W cage's bars ran infront of the seats at an angle higher than I liked for a car that was still driven a lot on the street. So at my work I had them change the bars that ran across the doors as low to the floor as possible and horizontal instead of an angle to make getting in and out as easy as possible while still passing tech. Also since my hatch was now useless for the look factor we added two bars to make a X in the back which looked mean in the hatchglass from behind.

They have Chrome-moly but you have to call for pricing.

By modify I mean you tweak it a lil. My 10-point S&W cage's bars ran infront of the seats at an angle higher than I liked for a car that was still driven a lot on the street. So at my work I had them change the bars that ran across the doors as low to the floor as possible and horizontal instead of an angle to make getting in and out as easy as possible while still passing tech. Also since my hatch was now useless for the look factor we added two bars to make a X in the back which looked mean in the hatchglass from behind.
You miss that car!!!

I've got a generous check coming back from the gov't soon, so I can finally afford a roll cage. I really dont want to spend more the $500 on the cage, however. I know a want an 8-point, nothing more or less. Mild Steel vs. Chrome-Moly, whats the differences? Prefered brands?
Also, should I buy a pre-bent cage kit or should I have it custom fab'd at a local welding/racing shop? I may do the welding myself if I get one in the mail, as I am a certified welder. Opinions all?

Im definatley gonna have to put one in mine. Especially having a convertable. Im thinking of just somthing along the lines of a nice 4 ot 6 point.
What type of welder are you gonna use? Stick or mig?

So I just got quoted from a local chassis shop(highly recommended) for the install of an 8-point moly cage(providing it myself) for $450. Does that sound right?!! WoW

So I just got quoted from a local chassis shop(highly recommended) for the install of an 8-point moly cage(providing it myself) for $450. Does that sound right?!! WoW


Sadly yes... think they have to take all your interior out weld it in and then put the interior all back in wit modifications to fit round the cage.

No, thats just it. I told them in my email that my interior was already stripped and I would put it back together!

Now I'm not really sure whether I want the chrome-moly over the mild steel. If I get the mild steel bar I'll save $200, which I can use on some other things I really need. I want to get a hood-lift kit and an electric fan(my fan clutch is bad anyways).

So anyways, how much of a weight difference is there between the two metals? Also, what other pros-cons, if any, are there comparing the two? Sorry to keep asking, but I just dont know what to do right now.

Now I'm not really sure whether I want the chrome-moly over the mild steel. If I get the mild steel bar I'll save $200, which I can use on some other things I really need. I want to get a hood-lift kit and an electric fan(my fan clutch is bad anyways).

So anyways, how much of a weight difference is there between the two metals? Also, what other pros-cons, if any, are there comparing the two? Sorry to keep asking, but I just dont know what to do right now.

I don't know what the weight savings is I just know the chrome-moly is stronger so you allowed to use a thinner(lighter) pipe vs mild steel.