8 point roll bar comparison

Robert Swartz · 03-13-2010, 01:24 PM

Looking to purchase a roll bar for my Firebird, want some opinions from any that have installed one. Before we start, I know S&W is a sponcer of the site. I'm not putting a Chrome Moly bar in this thing. I'm looking at their "EWS" kit.

Am looking for a comparison of the S&W roll bar against the Jeg's kit. I know both offer a kit that allows you to retain the back seat, as well. I intend to leave the back seat in place. I have a good feeling I want to retain the rear weight, a late model F-body is nose heavy, want to push as much weight toward the rear as I possibly can.

I have heard many good things regarding the fit and finish of the S&W roll bars. A kicker here, my partner works in Columbus, Ohio frequently. So, in essence, I can purchase a Jeg's kit and pay no freight or shipping. So, unless these two kits are worlds apart, I have to put this in the consideration column because that's money that can be concentrated elseware.

art leong · 03-13-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Swartz

Looking to purchase a roll bar for my Firebird, want some opinions from any that have installed one. Before we start, I know S&W is a sponcer of the site. I'm not putting a Chrome Moly bar in this thing. I'm looking at their "EWS" kit.

Am looking for a comparison of the S&W roll bar against the Jeg's kit. I know both offer a kit that allows you to retain the back seat, as well. I intend to leave the back seat in place. I have a good feeling I want to retain the rear weight, a late model F-body is nose heavy, want to push as much weight toward the rear as I possibly can.

I have heard many good things regarding the fit and finish of the S&W roll bars. A kicker here, my partner works in Columbus, Ohio frequently. So, in essence, I can purchase a Jeg's kit and pay no freight or shipping. So, unless these two kits are worlds apart, I have to put this in the consideration column because that's money that can be concentrated elseware.

The S&W kit fit perfectly in my Neon. I'm running mild steel not chormemoly.

Doug Domm · 03-13-2010, 04:05 PM

I couldn't be happier with the S&W fit in my Chevelle. I added the kit with the rear bars through the parcel shelf. So easy a caveman could do it! Trust me this kit was dead easy to make look custom fit. Doug

Run to Rund · 03-13-2010, 05:36 PM

Proper fitting and welding is the major part of the cost. It will be hard to route the bars to optimal points and retain the rear seat. Why not put a weight box in the trunk if you need the weight that a seat would add? I would also rethink chrome moly for the same reason. A simple 6 poiint bar will drop from about 75 lb. to about 45 lb. with CM vs. mild. A good chassis shop like S&W could weld either for similar cost. Quality workmanship and welds helps in tech, as might a prestigious name shop. Bars are not certified with stickers so you go through inspection every time.

Tom Goldman · 03-13-2010, 07:18 PM

Weight vs. wallet, and/ or skill level. .........1 5/8....083 CM 1.5 # per foot .....ERW .1 5/8 .134 wall 2.13 # per foot. ............30 % weight savings regardless of number of points of attachment ,all things being equal ........And oh by the way about double the price just for materials,not counting additional time / skill for fitting and welding. ......I just compleated a '56 Chevy Gaser with a S&W ERW cage fit perfectly and the pre notching was very close. ......I TIG all my cages and the .134 tube welds ok , but takes quite a bit more heat. ......Tom

treessavoy · 03-13-2010, 10:04 PM

I've used S&W ever since I bought my first roll bar and they have always fit right. Find a good race shop to install it for you to avoid any problems with tech.

JimR

03-13-2010, 01:24 PM	#1
Robert Swartz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nineveh, Indiana Posts: 512 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	8 point roll bar comparison Looking to purchase a roll bar for my Firebird, want some opinions from any that have installed one. Before we start, I know S&W is a sponcer of the site. I'm not putting a Chrome Moly bar in this thing. I'm looking at their "EWS" kit. Am looking for a comparison of the S&W roll bar against the Jeg's kit. I know both offer a kit that allows you to retain the back seat, as well. I intend to leave the back seat in place. I have a good feeling I want to retain the rear weight, a late model F-body is nose heavy, want to push as much weight toward the rear as I possibly can. I have heard many good things regarding the fit and finish of the S&W roll bars. A kicker here, my partner works in Columbus, Ohio frequently. So, in essence, I can purchase a Jeg's kit and pay no freight or shipping. So, unless these two kits are worlds apart, I have to put this in the consideration column because that's money that can be concentrated elseware. __________________ Robert Swartz - Swartz & Lane 66 Chevy II Pro 95 Achieva EF/SA, 78 Mustang II U/SA (work in progress) #354 stock

03-13-2010, 04:05 PM	#3
Doug Domm Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: canada Posts: 251 Likes: 29 Liked 84 Times in 21 Posts	Re: 8 point roll bar comparison I couldn't be happier with the S&W fit in my Chevelle. I added the kit with the rear bars through the parcel shelf. So easy a caveman could do it! Trust me this kit was dead easy to make look custom fit. Doug

03-13-2010, 05:36 PM	#4
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	Re: 8 point roll bar comparison Proper fitting and welding is the major part of the cost. It will be hard to route the bars to optimal points and retain the rear seat. Why not put a weight box in the trunk if you need the weight that a seat would add? I would also rethink chrome moly for the same reason. A simple 6 poiint bar will drop from about 75 lb. to about 45 lb. with CM vs. mild. A good chassis shop like S&W could weld either for similar cost. Quality workmanship and welds helps in tech, as might a prestigious name shop. Bars are not certified with stickers so you go through inspection every time.

03-13-2010, 07:18 PM	#5
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,477 Likes: 891 Liked 882 Times in 236 Posts	Re: 8 point roll bar comparison Weight vs. wallet, and/ or skill level. .........1 5/8....083 CM 1.5 # per foot .....ERW .1 5/8 .134 wall 2.13 # per foot. ............30 % weight savings regardless of number of points of attachment ,all things being equal ........And oh by the way about double the price just for materials,not counting additional time / skill for fitting and welding. ......I just compleated a '56 Chevy Gaser with a S&W ERW cage fit perfectly and the pre notching was very close. ......I TIG all my cages and the .134 tube welds ok , but takes quite a bit more heat. ......Tom __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK Last edited by Tom Goldman; 03-14-2010 at 01:20 AM.

03-13-2010, 10:04 PM	#6
treessavoy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dunnellon,FL Posts: 1,103 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 8 point roll bar comparison I've used S&W ever since I bought my first roll bar and they have always fit right. Find a good race shop to install it for you to avoid any problems with tech. JimR __________________ Jim Rountree

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