Alexandrius

I took some heat for announcing I was daily driving my passat recently...

So i'm making the Austin south-north commute in this puppy. Installed schroth 6 pts, BK mounting hardware, bolted into floor, with Cantrell half-cage/rollbar installed by ATX Autosport in Austin. Looks factory, totally reversible, and back seats retained as well as bose speakers!

Additionally the roll-bar mounts into shock towers and plates welded to chassis behind the seat, so my car feels much more rigid and is as securely attached as a simple half-cage, RS style, should be.

Rounding the package out is the OMP HTE-R carbon seat and OMP cup steeringwheel.

Hope you guys like it! Car is stock on the outside; just safety improvements and factory short shift kit.

Drive to work has been cut a few minutes at least Can't wait to get out to Cota again soon.

Sorry not sure why or how I posted the pic twice...

Quadcammer

not concerned about hitting your head on the rollbar in a collision without helmet?

Alexandrius

I won't even try to argue that would be bad. It's true. But given in Texas im most likely to be killed from a rear collision with a Ford F-250 decapitating me im like "meh".

Really, the steeringwheel with no airbag is even more of a threat if I crash it, anecdotally.

I figure I still have better odds than a motorcyclist.

Plus most of this cars miles in the future will be track. I've just been enjoying it around town.

*also would like to note visibility in a 997 even with halo seats is really a non issue. I'm kind of surprised people complain about that, they don't affect my vision at all.

BIG smoke

Five point harnesses, leave funny marks in your jacket, pants and tie.

Alexandrius

Yeah on "suit days" I have to go with the backup.

I still have the three point seatbelt and buckle mounted and use those when no Hans is on (I don't wear a helmet and Hans on street haha).

nwGTS

Looks great and I will be doing similar mods come spring (already have the same wheel!). Outside of the clear safety benefit on the track (half cage + harness debates aside) I am almost positive side head restraints on a seat are not street legal. Two different racing shops confirmed this with me (at least on IL roads) and is why I've been looking at other seats.

The reason if anyone is wondering why 4/5/6 pt belts are not street legal is DOT requires one big red button to be pushed to release any driver/passenger restraint system and there aren't many 4/5/6 pt systems that have this feature. Schroth has one back in the day but not sure if they still sell that.

I'd really check with a LEO on that seat though.

Alexandrius

I'm using the standard 3pt stock dot approved belts, I just additionally have the harness installed for when I have Hans and helmet on track. As for legality of halos, I've read the laws in Texas and spoken with people, and there's no issue with the seats. There isn't even anything close to a legitimate case against it. Maybe it's different elsewhere. I highly suggest these seats, or you could go for the sparco ones with removable halos and just put them on when on track, but I didn't realize it's illegal in Illinois. Weird.

JuanK20

You're interior looks awesome. I love it. Might as well take the back seats out tho. Enjoy it.

Alexandrius

Thanks. Really the looks are just function looking good. I should remove the back seats just having fun driving at the moment. Also, I definitely notice the half cage added a ton of rigidity to the chassis.

Carmichael

That would be the Schroth Rallye 4 harness. I have them in my DSM track car.

Mine is a 4 point, though. Not exactly safe, even with Schroth's ASR loops.

Alexandrius, how do you check your blind spot with a seat with head restraints?

Alexandrius

I'm tall enough to see right over them. They are a complete non issue for me. Visibility is better than my Lexus IS.

jsalah

But you would look pretty bad-*** if you did, getting out of the car for a business meeting and having to remove your helmet and Hans... You might try that some day if you really want to make an impression

(P.s. I'm from Austin originally (mostly)... say hi to my old hometown. Love it there...)

CP911

Can you elaborate on this point? Thanks!

Carmichael

https://www.schrothracing.com/tuning/rallye/rallye-4

I don't like these. It's better to have a crotch/middle strap which will hold your hips in place.

It's ASM, not ASR, sorry.

CP911

Certainly appreciate the info.

I'm enjoying this thread and the comments. Thanks for sharing OP! It looks nice. Can we see the exterior as well?

I've been contemplating going a similar route with my 997.1S. When I purchased it (used.. my first Porsche and sports car), I wanted something that was as original as possible to ensure reliability and dependability for a DD. Now, after 2 months and 3.5k miles later, I'm finding that I'm moving around too much to have the control over the pedals that I would like to fully extract the fun out of this beast. Thinking some minor mods like what you've done would go a long way. The 4pt vs. 5pt harness thing is interesting. I wonder if something like a 4pt harness + a CG-Lock for the stock lap belt would be a good compromise as far as safety and still being able to use the 4pt seat/harness setup that you want. I was looking at Recaro Sportster CS seats w/ a 4pt harness myself, but now Carmichael has me rethinking things!