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Posted by: Headrage Mar 6 2007, 12:34 PM

Finally scored a harness bar for the car and now need to find a decent 5 point harness. I definitely want the cam-lock style but don't know exactly what will work best.

Are there certain sizes models that fit our cars better than others?

I also want something I can attach to the bar rather than bolt to the firewall.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Mar 6 2007, 12:35 PM

i love the M&R harnesses i got. trek has the same ones....

D-ringing em to the bar is half ass.... ideally you bolt it to the firewall.

Posted by: woobn8r Mar 6 2007, 12:46 PM

Don't discount the "quick release" so hastily...

If you are racing...some cam locks have been known to stick due to non metal parts in the mechanism binding....exaggerated by heat (so you dont want it near fire). If you are just doing AutoX or DE then you should be okay with a cam lock.

Quick release is a bit less user friendly but you can get out quick...

on any harness check the stiching by the mounting points and latch mechanism. look for a "box" stiching with a "zig zag" patten inside for strength. 3" belts are widely approved for racing....

Most harness' are adjustable and can work with a variety of set ups...stay away from "y" harness'...a good 5 point will work fine. You can decide whether you want a bolt in or clip in (at the bottom)....the top should wrap around the bar and be secured with a fastener.

You may wish to check out the SCCA rules on their website.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Mar 6 2007, 12:47 PM

to elaborate further....

clip in's are just that. they clip onto eyebolts... makes it easy to install and remove.

allan, i have a few eyebolts left over, they screw directly into the lower seatbelt bounts (but the inner driverside must be clearanced so it doesnt hit the shift rod.)

Posted by: Headrage Mar 6 2007, 12:58 PM

Anybody have a picture of the clip in style?

Posted by: Johny Blackstain Mar 6 2007, 08:24 PM

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Posted by: Headrage Mar 6 2007, 09:36 PM

So you have the harness shoulder straps looped around the bar?

Posted by: So.Cal.914 Mar 6 2007, 09:56 PM

Yes. That way if you do experiance...rapid deceleration, as you go forward

and the straps are pulled tight they don't press down and compress your spine or

tear your rotators.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Mar 7 2007, 12:36 AM

Kinda like Aarons will.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Mar 7 2007, 12:53 AM

I personally recommend against a five-point belt in a stock seat, unless you have a hole in the proper location in the seat for the sub strap. I prefer the six-point harness, which has a "dual sub strap". You sit on the dual sub, which then attaches to the buckle.

Some people feel that running the sub strap around the front of the seat is acceptable. I do not--I feel that having the latch twist and point into your gut is a Bad Thing.

Latch-lock tends to be cheaper than cam-lock. A bit less convenient.

Crow Enterprises makes good belts for not a ton of money.

--DD

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 7 2007, 12:56 AM

www.IOPORTracing.com

Norcal company for years. The owner Ken is a racer himself and knows his products. He sells cam locks, quick releases, 5 and 6 point systems.
He used to race 914s and knows what works with what.
check them out.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Mar 7 2007, 12:56 AM

wtf?

i have a harness bar dude... just like yours.

the spine compression is if the belts are mounted below your shoulder level... thus the harness bar to get em above your shoulders....

Posted by: Andyrew Mar 7 2007, 01:12 AM

Out of curiosity.. I was wondering if anyone has ever tried the 4 point harnesses on ebay.. They have the standard buckle (easy for non racing/daily driving..)... Probably are safer than the 30 year old belts.. and probably wont get much hastle from the cops because they are 2in,standard buckle's... but give you better restraint...


Heres an example..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-4-POINT-HARNESS-JDM-RACING-SEAT-BELT-BLACK_W0QQitemZ150097968351QQihZ005QQcategoryZ50458QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Anyone seen them?

Andrew

Posted by: TimT Mar 7 2007, 01:30 AM

A bunch of good harness good harness mfgs out there... Look for FIA certs as SFI certified harnesses are only good (in competition) for 2 years. FIA harnesses 5 years.

Try to get pull up lap belts, makes it much easier to cinch the laps down.

The shoulder harnesses can be secured to the harness bar by wrapping around the bar..

The sub belt should really go though the seat and be secured behind the plane of your spine

lots of good harness mounting info http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/docs/Competition_Instructions.pdf

this is published by Schroth for mounting there harnesses, but the info is valid for mounting other harnesses.

BTW Schroth harnesses are uber nice if a bit pricey


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Posted by: TimT Mar 7 2007, 01:38 AM

forgot a pic

how to wrap the harness around the harness bar




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Posted by: Headrage Mar 7 2007, 08:03 AM

Excellent info.

I do plan on having the seat modified for the anti-submarine belt.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Mar 7 2007, 10:05 AM

In general, a four-point belt will tend to ride up so it no longer is across your hips, low, where it is most effective. That is a large part of what the sub strap(s) is/are for. I don't think I'd use that kind of setup.

Remember, PE Parts will sell you fresh refurb'ed seat belts for your 914! Those aren't 30+ years old.

--DD

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 7 2007, 10:32 AM

Another point to consider is if you plan on doing any PCA events in the future.

In 2008 it will be mandatory to have a race style seat that has slots for guiding the shoulder and sub belts. This is if you plan on using 5 or 6 point harnesses.

Stock seats will be required to be used only with stock (3pt ) belts.

So a modified stock seat is OK for this year, but next year you will need a race style seat to use with your 5 or 6 point harnesses.

So I wouldn't spend a lot of money modifying a stock seat....spend the money on the race seat.

Also remember with PCA DE rules the passenger and drivers restraint systems must be equal or better for the passenger seat.

in other words in the future you will need to have stock on both seats or race seat and harnesses on both seats.