Hey all. (I read the FAQ first...)

I really want a harness to keep my butt planted during HPDE's. I've seen plenty of people run 4/5 point harnesses that latch on the rear seatbelts, but considering how tall I am I don't really want the shoulder strap that vertical (my shoulders are already in the back seat )

I read this article on the install of a harness with a rollbar. It seems like the OEM seat install was easier because the lap belt mounts where the OEM buckle goes. One less bolt/backing plate.
http://www.sandmracing.com/ssabelt.html

So, now, I want a 5-pt harness and rollbar. Great. What about the seats? Do people cut holes in their stock seats for the submarine belt, or run back thru the back of the seat, or run in front of the seat?

I want safety first, cost 2nd, aesthetics 3rd. So, do I get the harness, cut holes in the seats for the submarine belt, and get a rollbar? Or get a new seat (I like the OEM one just fine...)

I'm leaning towards using OEM seats and not cutting anything, just running submarine out the front of the seat. Not quite the right angle, but that's life.

Thx,
Chris

Sorry for re-hashing a beaten subject..
*winces, searches more, and clicks post*

 

I do the same thing with OEM si seats, everyone i asked in person said it was OK. Most of the instructors that have ridden in the car since i got the roll bar are just glad i have one, and 5 points to go along with it. So i would just run the OEM seats, i am kinda of interested what the more expearinced crowd has to say though.

 

first off alot of mounts for seats have the place for the OEM belt, my problem with mounting it there is that its not going to be in the same place on the other side, which in a carsh might cause a problem but more than anything the lengths will be different.

you can get a 6 point harness run the belts the same way as the lab belts and set on them. this is, by some, is said to be safer, and in my book its more comfertable.

DON't cut wholes in the stock seat, and DON'T run the 5th point up in front of the seat, its not safe, and not recomended.

if you want the stock seat look into a 6 point set up

id say get the whole combo, seat, cage, and harness. Its the safest, and the most comfetable.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed_93_hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">first off alot of mounts for seats have the place for the OEM belt, my problem with mounting it there is that its not going to be in the same place on the other side, which in a carsh might cause a problem but more than anything the lengths will be different.

you can get a 6 point harness run the belts the same way as the lab belts and set on them. this is, by some, is said to be safer, and in my book its more comfertable.

DON't cut wholes in the stock seat, and DON'T run the 5th point up in front of the seat, its not safe, and not recomended.

if you want the stock seat look into a 6 point set up

id say get the whole combo, seat, cage, and harness. Its the safest, and the most comfetable.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ahhh... 6 point belt. I never quite figured out why I'd want one, but that makes sense. I guess just run the lap and subs to the stock belt locations?

http://www.schroth.com/produkt...9.htm

 

again debatalbe i would run both to the side of the seat and each to there own mounting points.

We would need Grumpy in here for an offical "tech" call, though.

 

Get a real racing seat and 6 point harness. Attach lap belt to sides, anti sub under seat kinda on the side towards front (difficult to explain with words). I use shoulder pads, more comfortable. You can use OEM mounting points for lap and sub belt and bar for shoulders.

 

In a sedan with upright seat (unlioke formula car where you are laying down) the fifth belt is to hold the lap belt from riding up under the pull of the shoulder belts. As long as it performs this function, all is well. The chance of submarining in a sedan is slight.

The six belt configuration with 5 & 6 going under the driver legs, through the lap belt holes and attaching to the lap mounts is primarily used to prevent submarine and IMHO is not as effective as a 5 point to hold the lap belt in place as your legs are then a pivot point for the 5 & 6 belt. (for sedans)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Grumpy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In a sedan with upright seat (unlioke formula car where you are laying down) the fifth belt is to hold the lap belt from riding up under the pull of the shoulder belts. As long as it performs this function, all is well. The chance of submarining in a sedan is slight.

The six belt configuration with 5 & 6 going under the driver legs, through the lap belt holes and attaching to the lap mounts is primarily used to prevent submarine and IMHO is not as effective as a 5 point to hold the lap belt in place as your legs are then a pivot point for the 5 & 6 belt. (for sedans)

</TD></TR></TABLE>


Thank you Grumpy! That makes sense.

-Chris

 

since i work in tech... and grumpy tends to be around correcting me... let me get come clarification .... do you think in this instance since it is a stock seat... should it have a seat back brace? i know its not a solid back seat so it might do more harm then good.

 

Fries, think of the rollbar/seat/harness as a working combination. It's a safety system designed to work best together. You CAN make it work with some changes (like a stock seat, for example) but it won't be optimal. I know it's been explained in some old post, probably by RJ. I really don't know the technical details of how much worse the stock seat is with a harness, so I can't say how less safe it is, but for what it's worth, when I run harnesses, I use seats made to fit them. If money is available and not too much of an issue, that's what I'd go with.

Above all, as I'm sure you're aware, a rollbar is necessary for either of the other things.

 

OT : Does the Sparco Sprint have the fifth pts hole between the driver's leg ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MMsportsRexSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">since i work in tech... and grumpy tends to be around correcting me... let me get come clarification ..... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Huh?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by STN_Pat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OT : Does the Sparco Sprint have the fifth pts hole between the driver's leg ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope, it doesn't.

And on that note, I have said seat and I am curious which would be the safest harness?

From grumpys post it sounds like the 5 point, since the seat is upright and not lying down, however I don't know how specific "sedan" is. I would assume that is ment that most street cars (sedan/coupe/hatch alike), however I would like to be more certain with something that I am going to trust my life with.

 

If you have a one-piece seat like a Sparco Evo, Pro2000, Corza (or whatever the hell the name is) or something like that, 5 or 6-point doesn't matter beyond personal comfort I think. If it's a stock seat, the 6-point would be the better choice so you don't have to have the subbelt going over the front of the seat.

 

Have you asked the seat maker for their preference?