I know a 3 pt harness bolts into one latch in the back and a 4 pt bolts into two latches. But why would someone choose a 4 pt over a 3 pt. Also I have seen a 3pt double point release..can someone tell me what that is? This is for autocrossing.


[Modified by Airtracks, 12:18 PM 12/18/2002]

 

I have no idea. Personal preference I guess.

Never heard of it.

All harness should be used with proper rollover protection (rollbar or rollcage). And, although a 3/4 point maybe adequate for autocross, it is totally unsafe for high speed track use. For track events, use a 5 or 6 point (with a proper anti-sub strap).

 

4 pt vs 3 pt depends on the mounting points available in your car for the shoulder belts. In a car like yours, a 3 point is recommended and the shoulder harness is mounted on the C-pillar, atleast thats how I installed my 3 point (Schroth Rallye 3) when I had my Integra Type R.

The double point release you mentioned is just a quick release on the shoulder harness that allows the belts to drop down out of the way for access to the rear seats.

More here: http://www.soloracer.com/harnschrothfaq.html


[Modified by Brett@SoloRacer.com, 1:08 PM 12/18/2002]

 

Separate shoulder straps will be subject to less force per strap compared to a single (combined) strap. As a result, they will be less prone to fail and will stretch less. Also, the combined single strap version must be mounted *directly* behind the driver, not off to the side.

 

This is not entirely true. Take a look at the Schroth diagram about halfway down the page here (labled Rallye 3): http://www.soloracer.com/harnschrothfaq.html

 

Yea, I see the diagram, but I don't have to like it There are a lot of mounting points labled "okay" on that diagram that are far from ideal (and would be downright dangerous in a smaller car like my CRX where there isn't much room to begin with). I can't see a good safety argument for mounting the single combined shoulder belt off center. If it were my *** in the seat, you can bet I'd center it

 

While I'm not disagreeing with you, I have to say that Schroth probably knows more about restraint systems than any of us since that is their specialty. I can't see them recommending the belts be installed that way if it wasn't safe.

For cars like your CRX though, I agree, the C pillar is probably not a good place to mount the harness, since the angle would be exagerated like in the "E" mounting point in that diagram (which has a red X thru it).

 

What about the factory seat belts? In an impact, all the load is on one shoulder...and the mounting point is off to an angle towards the outside of the car. Rallye 3's mounted as shown in that diagram should be fine, especially since we are talking about autocross use where high speed frontal impacts are not much of a concern. The belts main purpose is to hold you in place in the car.

 

On factory seat belts the waist belt is supposed to tighten before the shoulder strap. The opposite is true on racing harnesses... hence submarining.