I was at a party and a bunch of Auto-X guys were there, and I started talking to a guy who builds roll cages for a living.

He said that even though a chromemoly steel cage will be stronger and lighter, a mild steel cage might be safer because it has malleability (easier to bend). Say if I get into a side impact crash, the mild steel would bend slightly, soaking up the impact where as a chromemoly cage would be more rigid. Instead of bending, just break and then I'd be completely hosed.

I wanted to get your guys take before I grab a Wolf Racecraft 6 point cage, whether chromemoly or mild steel would be safer in a crash, or would the rigidity be more advantageous in a roll over accident?

 

You might want to review this thread from the Advanced Tech board, which tries to separate the facts and the myths about chrome moly vs. low carbon steels.

 

You also have to ask yourself if you have access to or know someone with welding equipement. CM has to be welded in with a TIG welder. MS can be MIG or TIG.

 

Very nice, thanks Fred!

Yup, I've got a guy lined up who's got a reputation of being a damn good welder. I'm gonna run by his shop and double check his work. Regardless of what type of cage I get, I'm gonna have it TIG welded.

 

Actually, CM COULD be MIG welded, but for it to be NHRA legal, it must be TIG welded. I would TIG weld everything if I could, just because it looks better!