Roof Rails

[canadianrocky]

Does someone have a picture of Roof Rails installed on a car?

Although the original build of the my car will not be for over 200 mph, it will be something I am going to want to do within a few years. I would like to know if it would be a good idea to build it right away, or wait.

So far it is blank piece of paper, but it might be best to put it on before, due to paint or build design.

Also, what purpose do they serve?

[manta22]

The idea is that if a car gets sideways the rails then act as a spoiler and reduce the lift that might otherwise get the car airborn.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Sumner]

You can see them on the Stude here and you would see more in these pictures.........

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bville-cars-1/bville-cars%20index-main.html


....... and as was mentioned they spoil the air over the car if it spins and gets sideways to the air helping to avoid lift, similar to what the NASCAR roof flaps do if the car is backwards to the air (we use one of those also).

c ya,

Sum

[canadianrocky]

You can see them on the Stude here and you would see more in these pictures.........

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bville-cars-1/bville-cars%20index-main.html


....... and as was mentioned they spoil the air over the car if it spins and gets sideways to the air helping to avoid lift, similar to what the NASCAR roof flaps do if the car is backwards to the air (we use one of those also).

c ya,

Sum

Ok, I see them now that I know what I am looking for.

In the spec they call for a minimum of 1/2" to a maximum of 3/4". Does it make much difference between the two, or would that be something that would be dependent on the car chosen.

Also, 4.X says you "only need them where the original body style is coupe or sedan. So, does that then mean you don't need them if you have a convertible with the factory Hard Top installed (Honda S2000)??

Sounds like a question for the tech committee, but now that I have started it in here, maybe someone has knowledge.

[hotrod]

I have several close up shots of roof rails, and will post up images when I can (probably tomorrow).

Most folks seem to just use a piece of over the counter aluminum angle and pop rivet or flush mount screw it to the roof. Generally the foot of the angle is on the inside (toward the center of the car).

1/2 inch or 3/4 inch is mostly a judgement call. 3/4 would do more to spoil the lift but would have slightly more drag than the 1/2. Since the boundary layer gets thicker as you go toward the rear of the car you might want to consider a rail that is 1/2 tall at the front of the roof and tapers to 3/4 tall at the rear.

Larry

[RichFox]

I would count on needing them on the removable hard top. Roadsters don't need them

[dwarner]

How do you plan on retaining the optional hardtop? I don't think that the OEM latches will pass tech, much like the additional straps that are required for T Tops.

DW

[canadianrocky]

How do you plan on retaining the optional hardtop? I don't think that the OEM latches will pass tech, much like the additional straps that are required for T Tops.

DW

That is almost my next question. I would think that being in the pits and talking to tech would be the best way to resolve that. Work got in the way of the August meet, and I still don't know if I can make it down in October either so it might put a hold on the project until next summer. I am not going to start this until I have been on the Salt.

If the s2000 presents itself with more issues than I want to deal with, then I will change to a Firebird, but I don't want to give up on the Honda project unless I have to.

[hotrod]

Added the roof rail pictures.
As you can see in one the builder cut slots in the angle to make it easier to bend the angle to conform to the roof.
The other is bent to conform and mounted with flush head screws.

On some cars with lexan windshields the roof rails go all the way down to the cowl.

Larry

[canadianrocky]

Thanks to all for the picts and the info.

I am sure I will have more, and it is great to have a group of such dedicated individuals on which to gather knowledge from.