I just ordered a chrome moly 8pt cage from S&W racecars i went with that because i dont think i want to hack my dash all to crap and im not sure about the whole welding up tward the roof of the car and messing the paint all up. i should have posted before i ordered it but i had a few questions....
I talked to the guy and i know its no problem adding on the bars later on if need be. also i plan on running as close to 10.0 as possible and hopefully actually getting into the 9s where i would need the 10pt. i also know that you would need the 10pt if you have a modified firewall or subframe or both. i want the car to be stiff since ill be pushing 520-550whp and a 6-speed car. The problem with adding the bars later would be the fact that the size of the bars for the roof hoop and a-pilar bars would be different thickness. it still is legal in NHRA.
i didnt know if there was a trick to welding without messing the paint all up. with the 8pt i know there is no problem what so ever.... but i do plan on trying to get into the 9's. the first year ill be just trying to get the bugs out of the car on the track then shoot for the 9's the following year.
Im probably not going to put alot of the interior back in it so adding the bars later wont be a big issue. Am i worrying too much? our local track has 9 second stock body cars where the guys are just wearing helmets! lol i want to be more safe but it just shows this track is not very good at checking what people have. but i want to run at lebannon valley a few times and they are 100% more strick down there....
i think i just made this post to get my thoughts out and see what you guys think.