Racing seats, roll cage, steering wheel.
 

Hey guys,

I need info on all the items in the title. I'm a stickler for safety, but I also want to change out my steering wheel for a competition use one (sparco, momo, whatever). reason for this is that in competition/track driving, I tend to sit up REAL close (I have short hands) to the wheel, and due to the shape of our beautiful cars, I get a lot less helmet space.

I'm hoping a quick release hub (from Bell labs, IIRC) attached to a competition steering wheel will extend the length of the steering rack towards me (IMO, it's stupid that the econobox Mazda3 gets a full telescopic rack but our "sports cars" don't).

I believe this will result in the removal of the steering wheel airbag. I like feeling safe, so I want a rollcage with a racing seat to attach a six point seat belt to.

Only problem is, I still want some functionality of the rear seats. Perhaps a removable roll cage? The setup also has to be streetable, so I don't want a cage that extends forward on the A-pillars. Just the rear parts. I recently tried getting into a race prepped RX-8, and it's damned near impossible with the door bars (took me like 10mins just to get in!), so I don't want those either.

Any solutions to this?

Who's 8 did you get in? Ours are quite simple to egress in and out, takes about 10 seconds, and we run triple NASCAR style door bars.

Well, to answer your quesion about a cage, in your case a roll bar...Agency Power makes a removable roll bar in a 4pt and 6pt. As for the steering wheel, I like Sparco, it's personal preference though. I'm also partial to the Sparco EVO seats.

I got into Meyer Motorsports' RX-8. Awesome car, and made me want to race prep my 8.

Unfortunately, I still need to daily drive this thing. :p

I like Sparco wheels too. They seem more compact.

I'll look into the Agency Power cage.

EDIT: Did you mean AutoPower? Couldn't find anything on Agency Power's site.

I'll reserve my comments on Meyer Motorsports, but yeah I meant AutoPower...my bad.

What's wrong with Meyer? They were a bunch of really cool dudes.

I think he did. I have a Auto Power street strip roll bar in my 8. Check out the photos near the bottom. Where are you located by the way.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/roll-bar-racing-seat-install-117063/page3/

I'm down at West Lafayette, Indiana!

I have one for SALE in New Jersey, but really would not like to ship it. Looking like I might have to.

We're competitors in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge...that's all. There's some history between the teams...

Just wanted to add, before you start going crazy with a cage and everything, you should really work on a suspension upgrade, some weight reduction, and as may HPDE's you can afford. Driving skill should come first before all the race prep has begun.

roll cages are not streetable. even if you put foam around them, during an accident a non-helmeted head will not be a pleasant sight if it hits it.

Yea, I know that driving skill comes first. This is just so I can actually drive more "comfortably".

And yea, I know Meyer is in KONI as well. :p

That's why I want one that does not extend to the front.

I've had it suggested to me that it is wiser to go with a custom roll cage set up by a reputable race shop vs the alternative. You may pay a little more but the outcome may be well worth it.

I'm with you on the non-telescoping wheel!! :icon_no2: What were they thinking!!

If you find an adaptor solution for a sparco race wheel (particularly one with a one inch extension) be sure to let us know.

Meyer Motorsport's car has an adaptor. It's made by Bell Labs or something like that.

Race Wheel Install
 

Anyone have a decent steering wheel removal/install DIY? I'm waiting on a Daikei steering boss for this http://www.sparcousa.com/productImages/281.jpg