Adding 5-pt harnesses to my 914, Best types for a CSOB street/AX Options

[Chris Pincetich]

I found myself really hangin on tight to the wheel while AXing last year because my stock 3 pt belts did not match the G-forces as I cranked through turns. Adding harnesses this year is a MUST, for AX and my late 07-2008 DE/track goal. I plan to keep the OK backpad and drill through it to mount the top straps through the firewall. I also "want" to get long eye bolts that I can bolt through my stock belts at the lower mounts, keep the stock belts, and clip in the lower belts for weekend AX duties.

Sound like an OK plan? Any PCA or SCCA rules to watch out for?

What would youz guyz advize for harness brands and styles?? I want to spend $300 or less for a pair of black 5-point harnesses. How much better is the cam lock vs. latch? Pull up or pull down?

I like the IMPACT Racing 5-pt adjustable latch and the G-Force 5-pt cam so far, these both fit my budget. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[jhadler]

I actually like the cam. But not all cam latches are the same. Yes, the latch is sometimes easier to line up and get locked together. But part of that is (IMHO) that the latch mechanism is larger. For me (not a large person), the latch is too big against my lap, and I find it uncomfortable after a while. The cam, being smaller, isn't digging in as much.

The difference in price wasn't a whole heck of a lot when I bought my harnesses.

As for the 4-pointers?

Having just done a lot of research on 4-pointers, for use in high speed track programs, there would only be one that I would even consider putting into my car. The Schroth Profi. Why? For one, Schroth is the only 4-point harness that incorporates any kind of design to prevent submarining. All other 4-point systems I've see are simply 5 point harnesses without the sub-strap (some have different seat-belt style latches, but they still basically the same). Which, IMHO, make them potentially more hazardous than a working OEM 3 point belt.

A regular harness is fixed, and requires the use of a sub-strap to prevent the passenger from sliding under the lap belt. (I say "passenger", because if you're in a situation where you're relying on the harness to save your a**, you are no longer in control of the car, hence, passenger). Anyway... The shoulder straps of a conventional harness hold your body to the seat, and given that most seats have some degree of layback, they act as a wedge, and can actually -drive- you under the lap belt in an impact. That's why the sub strap is so important in harness systems. Even better to have the 6 point belts and help protect the family jewels.

The only 4 point belt that does anything to prevent submarining under the lap belt is Schroth. One shoulder strap has a small extra loop of fabric sewn in that will "unfold" in an impact. This allows the torso to rotate slightly and force the body to bend slightly at the lap belt, preventing submaringing. And the Schroth Profi is also SFI/FIA rated. The Schroth Rallye (the lower end model) is not SFI/FIA rated.

Still, when all is said and done, I'd prefer a full harness. And my personal preference is for the cam-lock. I have the G-Force cam-lock in my car. Good, but not GREAT. Next harnesses will probably be Sparco or Schroth as their webbing seems to be more comfortable.

-Josh2