18 replies to this topic

[Firthy]

Hi All, I was checking out cliffe's and 5 o'clocks car at Autosport show (which was fantastic both the show and vx line up!) and I happened to notice they had removed the plastic covers that attach to the roll bar head restraints. Therefore I was wondering why they were removed and if it was related to visibility benefits? Looking at the silverstone gp picks from last year it looks to let more light in as well? I am not a big fan of the plastic covers and would be keen to get a bit more light / visibility if it’s worth it.. just want to get some opinions before removing those three fiddly bolts!! Firthy

[smiley]

Weight save, and better visibility.
Next more drastic step is to grind off the pads that hold the plastics completely, like this:

[markvx220]

I'm quite sure the plastic covering is for asthetic value, It will save weight removing the entire thing but I believe the purpose of them are to stop the engine going into the cabin in a bad rear smash. Not 100% but worth considering if safety is on your mind

[chris_uk]

I'm quite sure the plastic covering is for asthetic value, It will save weight removing the entire thing but I believe the purpose of them are to stop the engine going into the cabin in a bad rear smash. Not 100% but worth considering if safety is on your mind

they would not stop an engine hitting you on the back of the head, the elise doesnt have the either.



more of an OEM look



visability is much better when on the motorway, i dont have a rear view mirror atm so looking straight back is a no no, but i cant imagine that it would be worse than with them on.

[mandarinvx]

I bashed my head on the plastic/foam rollbar cover in my crash in the old car - there's a surprising amount of flex in the seats! Resulted in a lot of bruising - dread to think what would have happened if it were just the metal lip that's left over after removing them

[Firthy]

Hi guys thanks for the replies i should of explained it better however.... the metal support is still left in place its just the plastic that is removed.... You are then left with the frame the plastic is mounted to which has a couple of large holes in it which looks like it aids visibility through the rear of the car? I don't want to chop them off completely for safety reasons.. Firthy

[siztenboots]

having a harness bar at above shoulder height gives some a bit of protection, some plastic film over the glass would help for shatter protection. It has been known for road chippings to break the glass when roof is off.

[Ormes]

I'm quite sure the plastic covering is for asthetic value, It will save weight removing the entire thing but I believe the purpose of them are to stop the engine going into the cabin in a bad rear smash. Not 100% but worth considering if safety is on your mind

Won't stop the fuel tank being pushed up your... though.

[chris_uk]

i doubt very much the metal is any part of a safety device. the lotus' dont have them.

[techieboy]

It is a safety device and it's not some kind of styling affectation that Vauxhall randomly inserted for the hell of it. It's there so that in the event of an accident that forces the rollover bar forwards, the padded metal bracket makes contact with the rear of the seat (and presumably pushes the top of the seat forwards) before the rollover bar makes contact with the back of your head. The Lotus doesn't have them as the vertical sections of the rollover hoop are about 50% bigger and less likely to be forced forwards. Can only assume that during development of the VX they realised the VX's rollover hoop wasn't ideal and had to make that modification for NCAP ratings/type approval. Then decided to properly rectify it on the S2 by beefing up their own rollover hoop. Whether it works in practice, I've no idea. Nor do I want to find out.

[Steve B]

Whether it works in practice, I've no idea. Nor do I want to find out.

I ran mine for awhile with the plastic removed then later decided to chop the metal away. I instantly felt a lot safer as rear visability is so much improved - it basically removed a blind spot completely.

[Paulus H]

So there you have it.

Chop them off for better visibility. Also as a taller driver I used to bang my head on the plastic part. Removing the lot has allowed me to move my seat back further.

Or leave them in case you have a big roll over.

Either way I would remove the plastic part. Just doing this alone helps visibility but not as much as removing the metal as well.

Paul

[TubbyNorman]

I go with Techieboy; manufacturers do not fit items because they look nice or whatever, they always have a reason before spending money. Possible insurance invalidation issues here in event of an accident, just a thought. If a safety feature, then they should remain, or try speaking to someone technical at Vauxhall for an insight as to the reason for fitting. Questions are free.

[chris_uk]

I go with Techieboy; manufacturers do not fit items because they look nice or whatever, they always have a reason before spending money. Possible insurance invalidation issues here in event of an accident, just a thought. If a safety feature, then they should remain, or try speaking to someone technical at Vauxhall for an insight as to the reason for fitting. Questions are free.

they fitted the wheels for athetical reasons..

[R20BY_M]

I go with Techieboy; manufacturers do not fit items because they look nice or whatever, they always have a reason before spending money. Possible insurance invalidation issues here in event of an accident, just a thought. If a safety feature, then they should remain, or try speaking to someone technical at Vauxhall for an insight as to the reason for fitting. Questions are free.

they fitted the wheels for athetical reasons..

Vauxhall did indeed specify 17's all round because they looked better than 16's at the front (which unless you're a driving god with a decent suspension setup makes no real difference) - I doubt they specified obstructive random pieces of metal to deter rear visibility and that lotus had to build this in for safety reasons. I would imagine this is a get out clause for insurance should you have a smash up and hurt/maim/kill yourself or others.

[Steve B]

Vauxhall did indeed specify 17's all round because they looked better than 16's at the front (which unless you never push the car or brake hard you'll not really benefit from) - I doubt they specified obstructive random pieces of metal to deter rear visibility and probably asked lotus to include them to get a better ncap rating. I would imagine this makes no difference to insurance unless you have a head injury could be argued resulted from them not being in place.

EFA

If you've ever had a close look at the stock hoop its all rather naff (used as an argument to disallow VX's racing in Elise series). When I've some spare penny's it is being replaced with a Nickson Motorsport continuous bar without the stupid cut out sections where these offending items are welded in and rear supports of MSA approved tubing and main hoop incorporating a swept back harness bar with guides.

[speedster]

Did anybody ever install a third party roll cage? Nickson Motorsport seem to be pretty handy.

[2-20]

It is a safety device and it's not some kind of styling affectation that Vauxhall randomly inserted for the hell of it.It's there so that in the event of an accident that forces the rollover bar forwards, the padded metal bracket makes contact with the rear of the seat (and presumably pushes the top of the seat forwards) before the rollover bar makes contact with the back of your head.The Lotus doesn't have them as the vertical sections of the rollover hoop are about 50% bigger and less likely to be forced forwards. Can only assume that during development of the VX they realised the VX's rollover hoop wasn't ideal and had to make that modification for NCAP ratings/type approval. Then decided to properly rectify it on the S2 by beefing up their own rollover hoop.Whether it works in practice, I've no idea. Nor do I want to find out.

From what i can see on a photo, the S2 rollover hoop vertical section is not 50% bigger...
But the horizontal section might be 50% smaller.

[2-20]

https://www.v-eight....20/IMG_2446.JPG