I'm in the process of installing a ten point roll cage in my 78 Malibu. We got the main hoop in, the back braces, the halo, and one front support. The main hoop sits just behind the quarter pillar, and is partially visible in the quarter glass, following the contour of the quarter pillar.

We stopped for the day. The next morning I started eyeballing the main hoop and where it sat in relation to the original seat mounting bolts...uh, oh. I tossed an old, nasty, bucket seat in there and set it at where I think I would be comfortable to drive. I had a friend measure from my head to the main hoop at 12". Take away about an inch for the helmet and that leaves me about 11" from the main hoop. The NHRA reg's require 6" from the main hoop to head for a roll bar, but doesn't specify a distance for a roll cage. I'm assuming it's the same measurement for a roll cage.

At this point I'm not sure whether I should grind all my tack welds out and start over. I know my local track is not too particular about tech inspection, but my desire is to wander off to other tracks later down the road. Do you guys suggest just letting it fly, as is, and finish the job? Or do you guys suggest tearing it all apart and starting over?

I've got a Jegs poly seat on the way, but it's a week out for shipping. I should have had the seat with me, and fab'd up some brackets, installed them, and then installed the main hoop. Lesson learned. :mad:

Not sure what the answer is re cage vs bar (I would agree that it makes sense to have same requirements...6") but if I were you I would say do it right now....

Just my opinion.

its the same 6" .. if you want it to pass Tech .. you have no choice but to stop, cut it out and relocate the main hoop. Which in turn might scrap your rear struts.

Well, I've got a Jeg's seat on order. It'll take a week to get hear. I'll fab up some brackets and get the seat installed. That brings up another question. Can I use the original seat bolts, which are already sticking up out of the floor pan, or is there something special that needs to be done to get the seat mounted on the floor?

I found out the right rear frame rail was bent down from a rear impact. The quarter was buckled just a bit, but enough to tweek the frame rail downwards at the weak spot where the last body mount bushing is. We're going to heat up the frame and bend it back up, and gusset it, if necessary. We're also going to fab up a rear crossmember to tie the frame rails together. The frame rails have to be shaved at the rear wheel well area to fit the 28x11.5 M/T tires.

The gas tank has been discarded, and I gutted out the spare tire well. I had to cut the front seat passenger floor pan out because of rust. I'll replace the spare well, passenger floor and rear firewall, at the seatback, with .032 aluminum sheetmetal.

This has turned into a huge project, which will probably take the rest of the summer...