Good racing harness installation hack
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From: Highland Park, IL
Good racing harness installation hack
I'm always on the lookout for modifications which can be easily reversed (in case I'm ever compelled to sell my beloved C4). Well, I came across this great installation guide for racing belts: <a href="http://www.pcarracing.homestead.com/harness.html" target="_blank">Harness Installation</a> (caution: don't explore this website if you are prone to envy or covetousness).
I plan to participate in several autocross and drivers education events this year and have read that racing harnesses might help me get more out of these activities. While the hack above seems to be a nice, low-impact installation, I still have a few questions.
- Does a dual sub strap limit lower-body mobility more than a single sub?
- Does the setup presented violate any DE or autocross regulations?
- Should harnesses be avoided unless installed with a roll bar or roll cage?
- Should harnesses be avoided unless installed with a racing seat?
I imagine others are considering this particular upgrade, so to those with experience, what else do we need to know?
I plan to participate in several autocross and drivers education events this year and have read that racing harnesses might help me get more out of these activities. While the hack above seems to be a nice, low-impact installation, I still have a few questions.
- Does a dual sub strap limit lower-body mobility more than a single sub?
- Does the setup presented violate any DE or autocross regulations?
- Should harnesses be avoided unless installed with a roll bar or roll cage?
- Should harnesses be avoided unless installed with a racing seat?
I imagine others are considering this particular upgrade, so to those with experience, what else do we need to know?
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From: Kuwait & Sweden
Joey,
With a harnesses in your car with standard seats you have a problem.
The harnesses can put a loading on the back of the seat (in other words, if the harnesses are
resting on the top of the seatback) then in the event of something going wrong (like, say, rolling it, to take a random choice) there is a big risk that the seat back can collapse and you get a pair of broken collarbones. Or a compressed spine. Neither of which I would recommend.
Bearing in mind that standard seats are heavy and give you no side support, you should really throw in an inexpensive set of race seats for safety, light weight and an even cooler look!
There is another problem with a harness. If you don't have a rollcage and if the rear part is fastened where the original rear belts are fastened (between seat and backrest) and if the harness rest on your shoulders it will be dangerous. I.e. the belt is angled about 45 degrees downwards behind you. It's dangerous, in a frontal accident, because your back will be compressed and that's NOT good.
Conclusion: Never use harness and original seats!
Ciao,
Johannes E.
With a harnesses in your car with standard seats you have a problem.
The harnesses can put a loading on the back of the seat (in other words, if the harnesses are
resting on the top of the seatback) then in the event of something going wrong (like, say, rolling it, to take a random choice) there is a big risk that the seat back can collapse and you get a pair of broken collarbones. Or a compressed spine. Neither of which I would recommend.
Bearing in mind that standard seats are heavy and give you no side support, you should really throw in an inexpensive set of race seats for safety, light weight and an even cooler look!
There is another problem with a harness. If you don't have a rollcage and if the rear part is fastened where the original rear belts are fastened (between seat and backrest) and if the harness rest on your shoulders it will be dangerous. I.e. the belt is angled about 45 degrees downwards behind you. It's dangerous, in a frontal accident, because your back will be compressed and that's NOT good.
Conclusion: Never use harness and original seats!
Ciao,
Johannes E.
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From: Highland Park, IL
Johannes,
Please clarify: "Never use harness and original seats!" The link embedded in my original post detailed the installation of a racing harness used in conjunction with original seats AND a harness guide bar. Doesn't this bar eliminate the concern with belt angle?
Also, it is not exactly clear how an inexpensive racing seat might prevent injury better than an original seat. Could you elaborate?
Please clarify: "Never use harness and original seats!" The link embedded in my original post detailed the installation of a racing harness used in conjunction with original seats AND a harness guide bar. Doesn't this bar eliminate the concern with belt angle?
Also, it is not exactly clear how an inexpensive racing seat might prevent injury better than an original seat. Could you elaborate?
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Joey,
Couple of points. The harnesses going over the harness bar to attach at the rear seat mounts is fine. The harness bar keeps the belts at the right angle, as a rollbar would also work. You don't need a roll cage unless you'll have a prepared racer. If you want something removable, you might also consider a DAS rollbar, sold by both Performance Products and the manufacturer Dougherty in PA (which is what I use in my C2).
However, in our PCA region and others, for example, you can't use shoulder harnesses with stock seats. You have to have seats that are made to accomodate harnesses. Recaro SRD's, for example, or other sports seats that have holes in the seat to guide the harnesses. The concern is that even with a harness bar, the harness can slip off the shoulder or move up the seat in an impact or rollover situation. A side benefit of SRD's (which I have) is that they are cloth and shaped, so you slide around a whole lot less. I know one person who, on his 993, had a local outfit cut a whole in the seat and trim it off, around neck/shoulder level, so he could run his harness's thru the seat. Cost around $150.
You don't need a harness to start either autocross or drivers education. After you've done them a bit, you'll find that a harness and cloth seats help you to stay in the seat.
Couple of points. The harnesses going over the harness bar to attach at the rear seat mounts is fine. The harness bar keeps the belts at the right angle, as a rollbar would also work. You don't need a roll cage unless you'll have a prepared racer. If you want something removable, you might also consider a DAS rollbar, sold by both Performance Products and the manufacturer Dougherty in PA (which is what I use in my C2).
However, in our PCA region and others, for example, you can't use shoulder harnesses with stock seats. You have to have seats that are made to accomodate harnesses. Recaro SRD's, for example, or other sports seats that have holes in the seat to guide the harnesses. The concern is that even with a harness bar, the harness can slip off the shoulder or move up the seat in an impact or rollover situation. A side benefit of SRD's (which I have) is that they are cloth and shaped, so you slide around a whole lot less. I know one person who, on his 993, had a local outfit cut a whole in the seat and trim it off, around neck/shoulder level, so he could run his harness's thru the seat. Cost around $150.
You don't need a harness to start either autocross or drivers education. After you've done them a bit, you'll find that a harness and cloth seats help you to stay in the seat.
