I searched, does anyone know of a good descriptive write up w/photos documenting the proper way to install?

Thanks,
Tom

 

I will be doing one next weekend, providing everything shows up.

 

to truly properly install any harness with a sub belt you need to either replace the seat, or cut a hole in the bottom to allow the belt to pass through far enough back. Some people fab a bracket between the front seat mounts and attach the sub belt there routing it around the front of the seat, but IMO this is not the best way to go.

 

Agreed. I will be going through the seat. An upholstery shop will dress up the hole I cut for the sub belts.

 

i went new seat, and made a secure stud through the floor with multiple bracing points.

however, i'm running a 5, not a 6.

 

I know with the 5-point you need to mod the stock seat or replace it. Is it the same for a 6-point? I couldn't find any detailed info on a 6-point on line.

Thanks

 

yeah, a 6 pt just has 2 straps at the bottom, instead of one, i believe, technically, you should have 2 slots, not a center slot through the seat, for a 6 pt.

please correct me if i'm wrong.

 

I believe you will find that the vast majority of the systems people have installed are improperly designed and very, very dangerous. Having been through a bad high-speed crash which could have easily been fatal, this subject means a great deal to me more than before. I cringe when I walk around the track and see what people are running.

Here is a good article which gives an overview and provides a great start for research of this topic:

http://www.corner-carvers.com/wiki/i...ar%20Harnesses

 

That's a great link, confirms most of the data I've come across. Thanks.

 

So it is safe to use a 6-pt with the stock Recaro all the while not having to cut the seat, correct? It appears in the 6-pt the sub belts should route and mount with the lap belts, but the 5 pt needs to use the center hole that is designed into most race buckets.

My CC link

 

That's a good question. But remember that one important job of the sub belts is to oppose the force from the shoulder straps and hold the system down. If you mount the sub belts at the lap belt mounting point, that function is lost and the system less stable. You would essentially have a 4 point system with extra lap straps wrapped around the legs.

Also keep in mind that the ideal sub straps should be separated at the lap belt and should not converge...although the system can work in many cases with them terminating buckled at the center. The loops in the example may prevent submarining, but I'd hate to see what would happen as the legs and hips snap up, forward, and apart on impact...

 

FYI - two proper examples....

http://www.curpiermotorsport.com/xca...6&cat=0&page=1

http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...id=1313&cid=13

 

I'm trying my hardest here to keep my Recaros. Those long trips to the track are a PITA as it is.

So basically the subs, in a 6pt system, should mount forward of the lap belt mounts some distance. I know the lap belts should mount 90* down from the lap, but only be an inch or two forward from the centerline of your back, but where do the subs mount?

Maybe a racing bucket is the only solution.

 

I feel ya! Personally, with my recently purchased Evo, I have resigned to the fact that I will have to use a proper seat to equip the car safely. That will need to include reinforced pickup points for both the lap and sub belts. Why? Well the lap belts are connected to the seat, and I have seen the factory seat rip parts of the floorpan apart from the car on impact. Running cage tubes or plate reinforcement will definitely be in order...

Edit: Oh...to answer your question, I think you would want to oppose the force of the shoulder straps as directly as possible. The proper vertical degrees/forward/behind is a good question I will need to research further...

 

Folks, there is NO safe way to use a 6 point harness with your stock seats - do it right or don't do it at all, seriously. The 3 point plus the stock seat is MUCH safer than an improper install!

Have a REPUTABLE shop install the harness for you and select a comfortable bucket seat. Sparco and Recaro make some very comfortable seats, moreso than stock for larger drivers. Forget looking at a Bride as they are for much smaller drivers, I have 34" hips (not waist) and it is tight on me. Don't mess around cutting into the stock seat - it's not worth it and there is no telling what will happen to the lap belts if the routing is strange. Get a full non reclinable bucket with a sub strap hole. Get a used one if you can't affford one.

You will need to drill the floor to properly mount the anti sub straps. Other locations are not acceptable, including the seat mounting points. Don't do it.

Additionally you will need a rollbar to mount the shoulder straps and preferably some padding to keep the shoulder straps straight.

I also cannot reccomend HANS devices enough. Watch a crash video with and without one and you will quickly understand how valuable they are in a crash. They are pricey but so is your neck.

The main key is to either do it ALL or do none of it. Be prepared to set aside a couple grand on safety. IMO it is the most important "mod" you can do.

This may not be possible for taller drivers. The main idea is that the sub straps should go through the sub-strap hole and behind so that they are parallel at about the chest line at a 20 to 45 degree angle. The sub-straps only function in life is to keep the lap belt from riding up.