I need to know what other track guys have done regarding 5/6 point belts and the factory seats. I've had a Sparco 3" belt set up (2" sub belts) in my car for years now and did realize the trouble with the sub belts, just not the severity. At first I read about people that mounted the sub belts to the two front bolts of the seat (the way mine are mounted). The initial advice was to make sure the belts were routed inside the arm/bar that allows the seat to move. Although this was obvious to me, it was good advice. Since then I've had several knowledgeable drivers say this mounting arrangement for the sub belts was bad news. Bottom line is I haven't been using the dual (6 point) sub belts for the last 3 or so seasons. Lately I've been aware that the 4 point belts without the sub belt are most likely less safe than the factory 3 point belts (still installed for street use). Unfortunately I can't go back to 3 point belts as I get thrown around in the seat way too much on track. What I'm asking here is what have you guys (and gals if we have any) done regarding the trade off's between removing the stock Recaro's and installing two dedicated race seats with cut outs for sub belts and/or trying to modify the stock Recaro's to "properly accommodate anti sub belts? I know as an alternative Schroth makes a 4 point belt with (ASM) technology to keep from submarining, and this would eliminate this sub belt issue altogether. Chime in please on what works and what doesn't?

 

You're exactly right. I fought this idea last year, and did not want to pay for - nor install - race seats in car yet. You can put in the special Scroth 4pt's with anti-sub as you mention or modify the stock seats. Those are the options I know of.

You can modify the factory seats to allow for the lower sub-belt in 5/6pt harnesses. I seen a fellow Evo do this - and I followed suit. I bolted through the floor with the D-rings to support the lower belts. I used the factory seat belt mounting spots for the sides. Upgraded the bolts everywhere of course. I used an Autopower Rollbar for the shoulder straps. I can snap more pics if you want; lemme know.
Btw, my seats are for sale...

I'll throw up some pics....

 

The cut and paste job on the seats looks really professional. Nice. Although I'm still interested in what others have done, I already ordered Sparco seats to replace the factory OEM's. Side bolster support from the factory seats is a bit lacking for me. Also decided if I ever sell the car I can just thrown the originals back in.

 

I hear ya. I had a local upholstery shop do the work and it really came out nice. Did an excellent job of holding me in last year. I got a lot of positive comments at events - even from the Tech crews!

But I'm with ya, looking at getting a Sparco seat myself as I need more support with more cornering speed now!

 

I have been thinking about this also. I have an autopower bar ordered for the shoulder straps and I have a Recaro SRD race seat in the closet to replace the existing seat since I think it's important to have the sub belt also.
The mod to the oem seat looks professional tho....

 

Oh nice...I need to do that too. Is there a DYI link on how to do that? Your seats look done very professional. Can you do a closeup pic of the hole in the seat and how you trimmed it? Did you use extra material to trim the hole? Where did you get the matching fabric from? Maybe some hints if there is no DYI link you followed? THanks.

 

I put the stock seats in on the street and swap in race seats (with their own brackets) for the track. That way you maintain comfort and visibility on the street and safety on the track. My track seats sit extrmely low compared to stock and the sub belt attaches right to the seat bracket, so it all comes in and out pretty easily. A race seat will hold you in much more securely than a stock seat, even with harnesses. They will also offer a lot more protection in an impact, particularly if you have head restraints and/or a HANS.

 

I ran my stock seat on "custom" lowering brackets, with a typical 4 point harness for a few years. Then a local club mandated that all 4 point harnesses be Schroth with ASM technology. At that point I swapped in a Sparco with dedicated brackets and a proper 5 point harness with a sub strap.

I still use the Recaros on lowering brackets for daily driving and swap seats before events. It's easy with brackets and the harness staying on the race seat full-time.

 

Don't know if you plan on continuing to street your car, but if you are.... it bears knowing that the only street legal race legal harnesses out there Schroth harnesses. It's not likely that you will get pulled over for your belts but if you are, Schroth is the only DOT approved race harness.

We know this because as a Rally competitor, we have to be DOT legal as we transit on public roads.

Scott

 

You wouldn't believe the stuff I've got through tech inspection with a little talking. "I'll get new harnesses next rally, I didn't know these had expired". I've never found an inspector to care much about DOT compliance either, just class based-performance stuff. Unless someone gets butt-hurt in your class and wants you out.

 

DO NOT use competition belts in a car without a roll bar. If the roof collapses you will be dead wearing belts that will not let you slump over the center of the car. If you are going to make a safe up grade in a street car that is used on the track just use a competition lap belt in addition to your stock belt. the lap belt will hold your butt in the seat and the stock belts will work properly without the threat of being held solidly in the seat as the roof collapses and breaks your neck!

 

As far as streetability, I've never had a race seat that allowed the factory seat belts to lie flat across my waste. They always end up riding on the side bolsters. Also, the shoulder belts don't usually route correctly either. Swapping seats back and forth for the street/track is really the best option.

 

What would you guy's recommend for Drag racing?

I currently have the Sparco 4pts, I believe they are 2".

I would like to upgrade to 5pt, or 6 pt 3" belts, but, I really don't know what's recommended. I currently have a half cage in the car, I'll probably replace it with a full cage, and install a full race seat. I'm getting to the point where I have alot of scarry power, and need to upgrade my safety equipment.

I defenitly like red, would you guy's send me links to your belt recommendations it would be great.


05 MR good thread, safety is important!!

 

takata belt ftw

 

I looked into this at one point, and I recall that some of the clubs specifically do not allow you to use a seat that had to be modified to accept racing harnesses, however I have seen numerous people doing it and doubt that anyone would ever really throw you out for it

However, the stock seats probably are not as strong as far as the hinge point is as a dedicated track setup, so it is up to you as to how much safety is worth to you. Personally, I plan on doing it with the track car I am building up to when I start racing wheel to wheel and they start getting strict