[AWC-F87]

For the rear we laser cut plates and welded those in and then welded the weld nuts to those.

[Dark-Yoda]

thank you very much! that is a great idea, i will probably do something similar. looks like i may have to drill one more hole.
i wanted the cms cage, but i ended up with the ap clubsport cage, it connects to the top of the rear seats the same way the cms does, but without that bend

[Zoomzoommo]

My car is headed up to the CMS shop in Des Moines next month. CMS is planning to use it for templates for a redesigned bolt-in half cage, more similar to their Camaro and Mustang offerings. They are also installing some Cobra Nagaro seats that are inbound from the UK (blue stitching).

Will provide updates as work progresses next month.

[madwheeling]

What size hardware M8 or M10 and what shape of weld in nut? Some of them have different kinds of flanges. I am in the planing stages of a custom roll bar and like that as a mounting for the main hoop.

Also what is the thickness of the mounting plates of your cage?

Originally Posted by AWC-F87

I welded in weld nuts from McMaster Carr. I utilized one existing hole then drilled the other 2. This is best pic I have on my phone. 3 holes per leg of the cage. All weld nuts and arp bolts. It's probably the most rock solid bolt in cage setup for an m2.

Anything that goes through the floor pan behind the front seats is junk! Cough studio cough RSR.

If you want a cage that's safe to strap your life to mount it well.
If you are all show and no go you don't need a cage.

[chief1richard]

Originally Posted by Zoomzoommo

My car is headed up to the CMS shop in Des Moines next month. CMS is planning to use it for templates for a redesigned bolt-in half cage, more similar to their Camaro and Mustang offerings. They are also installing some Cobra Nagaro seats that are inbound from the UK (blue stitching).

Will provide updates as work progresses next month.

Do you know if they are planning on offering these Roll Bars after Mock-up. I am very much interested in their cage as it looks like a quality product. Poster GSRBI has one and looks well made.

[detroitm2]

I'm working with a builder in the UK for mine. They're working out some stuff to get a US distribution hub setup.

Should have more info in the coming months.

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by AWC-F87

For the rear we laser cut plates and welded those in and then welded the weld nuts to those.

How are the fronts mounted on this? Existing holes or did you have drill new ones? Have to weld anything?

[AWC-F87]

Originally Posted by detroitm2

How are the fronts mounted on this? Existing holes or did you have drill new ones? Have to weld anything?

You can see In the pics I posted that we used one existing hole in the front and I had to drill 2 additional holes. Then we welded in weld nuts.

The back doesn't line up to much that's why we welded in plates and welded weld nuts to the plates.

Like I've been ranting. You can't have a safe cage without going balls deep. It's either safe, partially welded in or it's for show. I don't feel there's an in between.

My cage is one off from a shop in NorCal.

[TargaM2]

Originally Posted by AWC-F87

You can see In the pics I posted that we used one existing hole in the front and I had to drill 2 additional holes. Then we welded in weld nuts.

The back doesn't line up to much that's why we welded in plates and welded weld nuts to the plates.

Like I've been ranting. You can't have a safe cage without going balls deep. It's either safe, partially welded in or it's for show. I don't feel there's an in between.

My cage is one off from a shop in NorCal.

A fully welded in cage if done correctly & welded to all pillars etc is stronger (much more important is the cage design) the big benefit of a 'weld in' over a 'bolt in' is structural rigidity which in turn improves a vehicles performance.
A correctly designed & installed 'bolt in' cage is extremely safe (I've had several in my race/rally cars & can speak from experience).
Yes if you buy a poorly engineered cage from some amateur it's unsafe but that applies to any cage be it 'weld in' or 'bolt in' & it won't be allowed through scrutineering at any half decent competitive event anyway.

Highest quality M2 cages & options... https://www.agi-precision.com.au/pro...in/bmw/bmw-m2/
If you want the facts take a look here... https://www.agi-precision.com.au/whi...-best-for-you/

These are as good a cage as you will buy anywhere, are approved for use in national levels & are used in both 'bolt in' & 'weld in' forms in the majority of tarmac rally competition cars I compete with (which is potentialy one of the most dangerous & highly scrutinized forms of Motorsport you will find anywhere).

[OG Shark]

For those that have kept (or plan to keep) their rear seats installed with a half cage - I am curious why? I cannot think of any reasons to keep them but do see it done pretty regularly. I'm definitely not trying to be a smart ass - I'm really curious why keep the seats when it seems like there is much more positive in removing them.

Benefits to removing the rear seat - negate the weight gain, do not have to mod the seat assembly (better if want to sell or reinstall), a close out kit can be a much cleaner look, more versatility with the space, etc.

Can't really think of any benefit to keeping the rear seat in place unless maybe you have no where to store it or prefer the aesthetics with it in?

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by AWC-F87

You can see In the pics I posted that we used one existing hole in the front and I had to drill 2 additional holes. Then we welded in weld nuts.

The back doesn't line up to much that's why we welded in plates and welded weld nuts to the plates.

Like I've been ranting. You can't have a safe cage without going balls deep. It's either safe, partially welded in or it's for show. I don't feel there's an in between.

My cage is one off from a shop in NorCal.

How difficult was it to get to the holes to weld the nuts in? Did you have to drop the gas tank?

[TargaM2]

Originally Posted by OG Shark

For those that have kept (or plan to keep) their rear seats installed with a half cage - I am curious why? I cannot think of any reasons to keep them but do see it done pretty regularly. I'm definitely not trying to be a smart ass - I'm really curious why keep the seats when it seems like there is much more positive in removing them.

Benefits to removing the rear seat - negate the weight gain, do not have to mod the seat assembly (better if want to sell or reinstall), a close out kit can be a much cleaner look, more versatility with the space, etc.

Can't really think of any benefit to keeping the rear seat in place unless maybe you have no where to store it or prefer the aesthetics with it in?

Keeping the rear seats with a half cage is illegal here. If you fit a half cage to a road car in Aus you must remove the rear seats & have the car re-engineered as a 2 seater (same rule in various countries).
Which is why my 275R & other cars with factory fitted cages such as GT3 & CSL etc have no rear seat from the factory & are classed as 2 seaters.
There are some very stupid regulations in the US which I don't understand, but for safety reasons alone you obviously should be removing the rear seat if your fitting a half cage as you don't want anyone back there, plus there's the added weight savings etc.

[OG Shark]

Originally Posted by TargaM2

Keeping the rear seats with a half cage is illegal here. If you fit a half cage to a road car in Aus you must remove the rear seats & have the car re-engineered as a 2 seater (same rule in various countries).
Which is why my 275R & other cars with factory fitted cages such as GT3 & CSL etc have no rear seat from the factory & are classed as 2 seaters.
There are some very stupid regulations in the US which I don't understand, but for safety reasons alone you obviously should be removing the rear seat if your fitting a half cage as you don't want anyone back there, plus there's the added weight savings etc.

That is why I'm asking because you still see some people running both - and to me it does not make sense to do so. Now I can't imagine the people that do actually try to carry passengers back there so I'm wondering why they still keep the seat - I assume they have a reason for it.

On your very stupid regulations comment - eh, we have plenty & do not need the government stepping even further into anything else.

[AWC-F87]

Originally Posted by TargaM2

A fully welded in cage if done correctly & welded to all pillars etc is stronger (much more important is the cage design) the big benefit of a 'weld in' over a 'bolt in' is structural rigidity which in turn improves a vehicles performance.
A correctly designed & installed 'bolt in' cage is extremely safe (I've had several in my race/rally cars & can speak from experience).
Yes if you buy a poorly engineered cage from some amateur it's unsafe but that applies to any cage be it 'weld in' or 'bolt in' & it won't be allowed through scrutineering at any half decent competitive event anyway.

Highest quality M2 cages & options... https://www.agi-precision.com.au/pro...in/bmw/bmw-m2/
If you want the facts take a look here... https://www.agi-precision.com.au/whi...-best-for-you/

These are as good a cage as you will buy anywhere, are approved for use in national levels & are used in both 'bolt in' & 'weld in' forms in the majority of tarmac rally competition cars I compete with (which is potentialy one of the most dangerous & highly scrutinized forms of Motorsport you will find anywhere).

I disagree that the bolt in cage from your link goes through the floor pan. There is no way that's safe. Have you seen the floor pan in the m2? It's paper thin. I could stab a butter knife through it.

I'm very well aware of what a safely built cage is. My shop neighbor/ friend is Kibbetech off-road. Check out his YouTube. I had him inspect my cage and he said it looked perfect and very structural.

The only safe way to go to the floor pan is with huge plates supporting the legs.

[AWC-F87]

Originally Posted by detroitm2

How difficult was it to get to the holes to weld the nuts in? Did you have to drop the gas tank?

We welded inside the car man. I had the back panels all out and we used weld blankets to weld inside.

The cars are made from multiple layers of metal. (EXCEPT THE FLOOR PAN) lol so the areas my cage is bolted/welded to are not accessible from under the car.

[TargaM2]

Originally Posted by AWC-F87

I disagree that the bolt in cage from your link goes through the floor pan. There is no way that's safe. Have you seen the floor pan in the m2? It's paper thin. I could stab a butter knife through it.

I'm very well aware of what a safely built cage is. My shop neighbor/ friend is Kibbetech off-road. Check out his YouTube. I had him inspect my cage and he said it looked perfect and very structural.

The only safe way to go to the floor pan is with huge plates supporting the legs.

Look again sunshine they are all built with plates on the upper & underside that sandwich the floor pan. Adam Gotch is ex F1 (Schumacher amongst others ) & knows a little more than some chop shop that builds paddock bashers. Also these cages must be engineer approved & inspected by the FIA governing body not by your neighbor/mate. Lol. Sorry but your way out of your league.

[AWC-F87]

Originally Posted by TargaM2

Look again sunshine they are all built with plates on the upper & underside that sandwich the floor pan. Adam Gotch is ex F1 (Schumacher amongst others) & knows a little more than some chop shop that builds paddock bashers. Also these cages must be engineer approved & inspected by the FIA governing body not by your neighbor/mate. Lol. Sorry but your way out of your league.

Haha cool

[TargaM2]

I'll just leave this here.... https://www.agi-precision.com.au/history/

I suggest you take a look & reconsider your opinions, you might even learn something.
AGI builds 40 cages a month & has done for over 10 years, Adam also builds true turret to turret weld in cages (not half arsed shit) for WRC, ARC, WEC, TCA, ANDRA, WTA, TAC & anything else you care to mention. AGIs cages for the M2 (or anything else) are as good/safe if not more so than you will get anywhere. Conceited Americans .

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by AWC-F87

We welded inside the car man. I had the back panels all out and we used weld blankets to weld inside.

The cars are made from multiple layers of metal. (EXCEPT THE FLOOR PAN) lol so the areas my cage is bolted/welded to are not accessible from under the car.

I see. I always thought that weld nuts needed to be welded from the back side. Assuming you're using some sort of surface mount type?

[AWC-F87]

Originally Posted by detroitm2

I see. I always thought that weld nuts needed to be welded from the back side. Assuming you're using some sort of surface mount type?

I'll post a picture of the nuts for you later. I spoke with the race shop in NorCal that built the cage and did it how they said. Then backed that up with the guys at kibbetech and they said it would be plenty strong.

[Zoomzoommo]

Originally Posted by chief1richard

Do you know if they are planning on offering these Roll Bars after Mock-up. I am very much interested in their cage as it looks like a quality product. Poster GSRBI has one and looks well made.

Yes. It’s my understanding that CM will be adding M2 half cages to their line up. I’m the guinea pig.

[chief1richard]

Originally Posted by Zoomzoommo

Yes. It’s my understanding that CM will be adding M2 half cages to their line up. I’m the guinea pig.

That's good news. I will be very much interested in their Half Cage.