harness opinions

[johnbasf]

Autopower harnesses. http://www.ioportracing.com/welcomeframes.htm They look good to you?

[johnbasf]

Go to product listing- harness systems

[BOSSMAN]

I run simpsons because of there name and I figure all of the NASCAR teams can't be wrong. But autopower is a good name and they make quality parts.

[redsnake99]

I like the Simpson camlock system which I purchased at the Simpson store adjacent to Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte.
The shoulder harness attaches to my crossbar in a "V" which bolts to a welded tab. The belt straps bolt on the outside to the base of the rollbar, again to a welded on tab. The inside lapbelt uses the same bolt as the stock lapbelt (provides the opportunity to use either the stock ones or the racing ones...if I have the removable crossbar in place). The crotch belt bolts through the floor to the subframe connector.

[mavs99]

I use the 4 point Schroth Harness.

I might switch to Simpson once I install a roll-bar....

I have been very happy with them. They kept me in my seat when I went off the track at ButtonWillow (rain). :)

http://www.mavarner.com/cobra/oil/image10c.jpg

MAV

[MikeD]

Does the Schroth harness you have connect to the stock rear seatbelt brackets? I can't tell from the pic.

[johnbasf]

I oedered the Autopower harnesses last week. I'll let you lnow what they are like.:thumbsup:

[bolt-on]

I recently ordered Schroth Rally 3 ASM. They connect at stock front lap belt floor bolts and the inboard rear seat belt bolt. The Rep I talked to before ordering suggested using the Rally 3 ASM instead of the Rally 4 ASM. The Rally 4 ASM connects to both rear seat lap belt bolts (inboard and outboard) and would make the rear seat useless for passengers. The Rep also said that some customers mount the Schroth harness beneath the stock belts at the mounting bolts so that the stock lap/shoulder belts can be used for everyday driving, and the Schroth harness for performance driving. Of course, if you live in LA or Chicago, everyday is performance driving!

[mavs99]

yes it does.

The biggest problem I had was finding the right Torx bit for the stocker bolts. The front bolts were a piece of cake.

The picture is a little confusing since I buckled the rear stock belts. I know. I know. It looks like a spider web back there.

MAV

[bolt-on]

Mav,
Just returned from a very cold barn where I was trying to install my Rally 3 ASM harness. T-50 is the correct Torx bit for stock belt anchor bolts on my '97. I am having a problem with the tail strap, however. When bolted to the inboard rear seat belt anchor there is not sufficient lead on the tail strap to get the adjuster up through the seat. Any suggestions?

Was just looking at the picture of your installation again for clues and noticed something I should warn you about. You may get a reprimand from the SCMC "fashion police" for what looks like snack wrappers and contents of the mail box in your car's interior :eek: Maybe she doesn't read this forum and you'll be safe :rotf: .

Visited your web site and really enjoyed your track pictures

:thumbsup:

Larry

[mavs99]

I will take some close up pics this weekend. I do remember the rear adjustment straps being a real pain in the a**. I had to let them out all the way and they are still "un-reachable".

DOH! The wrappers are now gone..... :). The guys at the shop also gave me a hard time for litter. Now where did I put that garbage bag......


As soon as I get my new video capture card, I will shrink the vids on the web site.

1 month until race season!!

MAV

[bolt-on]

Called Schroth again and talked to tech rep. He said the Rally Cross and Rally4 ASM harnesses attach to the rear lap belt bolts. First choice for securing the tail strap of the Rally3 ASM, however, is the rear shoulder harness bolt in the C pillar. I have my harness attached that way now, and there is plenty of room for the adjuster. This should also work better for travel to track events as the trunk is usually full of parts, tools and supplies; leaving the back seat for luggage. The tail strap attached to the C pillar keeps the back seat clear. The job is not finished though, I discovered that the factory cross threaded the driver's inboard lap belt bolt :mad: . It's always something. Now need to figure out what metric thread is used and get a matching tap.

Larry

[mavs99]

Damn man. What a hassel!!!

My inboard and outboard front seat bolts were sweet. It was the dang rear seat stuff that took so long.

Here is the pic I promised:

http://www.mavarner.com/cobra/oops/IMAGE001.jpg


MAV

[bolt-on]

The harnesses are finally installed. I ordered Ford part number 386276-S100, which is a longer anchor bolt. Tapped the floor pan anchor plate with a 7/16-20 tap. The cross threading was not too bad, and the anchor plate hole is much deeper than the original anchor bolt. If the threads had been severely damaged the service manual suggests drilling out the anchor plate 27/64, tapping 1/2-13 and using part number 383531-S36 bolt. Luckily I did not have to go to this extreme. If i am able to get a decent photo, I'll post how the installation looks with the tail strap to the C pillar shoulder strap bolt.

Mav, thank you for your photos. They helped me get it right on my installation. I did not order the shoulder pads. After using your harness, are the shoulder pads something I should have?

Larry

[mavs99]

Yo!

No problem man!

Glad you got the harness in!! Pics!! Send pics!! :)

The pads are a good idea.

Here is what I talked my brother into:

(He has a 2001 Cobra and runs open track on the Texas World Speedway).

http://www.mavarner.com/cobra/bro/bro-schroth.jpg


MAV

[svt_coupe]

You guys who are running harnesses - are you also using a roll bar? Are you aware of the issues with running harness without a roll bar? i.e. it's a major faux pas?

[mavs99]

Yep.

Thought about that too.

Roll bar will be installed shortly. I have to get in line for it.

I am scheduled (this week) to have a 20 gal. fuel cell put in.

:thumbsup:


MAV

[svt_coupe]

good to hear... good to hear...

[johnbasf]

Tom or Dave S, Can you take a pic of the location of your crotch belt? Where in the floor? I noticed a whole in the floorboard where I think it goes. Thanks

[98banana]

Originally posted by johnbasf
Tom or Dave S, Can you take a pic of the location of your crotch belt? Where in the floor? I noticed a whole in the floorboard where I think it goes. Thanks

I attached mine to the seat frame. The frame that comes with the Corbeau seats has a pretty hefty L-angle beam running across at the front.

[johnbasf]

:thumbsup:

[svt_coupe]

DO NOT use the hole in the floorboard that's between the forward seat bolts. That is not a structurally reinforced part of the car and could rip out in a collision.

I chose to go with a 6 pt harness and ran the two straps to the seat bolts. Just be sure that the seat tracks don't rub on the sub straps and cause them to fray.

If you go with a 5 pt, use a very thick, flat washer (I think most racing orgs require a 3" square) underneath the floorboard so it does not rip out of the floor board on impact.

Another thing - if you use an aftermarket seat with a hole for the subs - make sure you mount the subs so the strap leaves the camlock (the part where all starps combine), travel down, then go FOWARD to the point where they are fastened. If they went down, then backwards, you shifting forward in an accident could cause you a bit of pain in the nether region... :(

[98banana]

Originally posted by svt_coupe

...could cause you a bit of pain in the nether region... :(

Very well put! :thumbsup:

[johnbasf]

Thanks Bryan.

[bolt-on]

Originally posted by svt_coupe
You guys who are running harnesses - are you also using a roll bar? Are you aware of the issues with running harness without a roll bar? i.e. it's a major faux pas?

OK, I'll bite. What are these issues. After all, I am a :newbie:

Larry

[98banana]

Originally posted by bolt-on


OK, I'll bite. What are these issues. After all, I am a :newbie:

Larry

One issue I've heard of, and I'm sure Bryan can expand on this much more, is the possibility of compressing the spine from a frontal collision. If the shoulder belts are attached too low, then the belt will actually pull your shoulders downward in a collision.

Bryan, am I right in this? I've heard it about it, but not much...

:confused: :confused:

[Dean95CobraR]

Originally posted by bolt-on


OK, I'll bite. What are these issues. After all, I am a :newbie:

Larry

The biggest safety hazard is in the case of a rollover. If the roof came down and you were belted in, your head would be the only thing stopping the roof. When you use regular seat belts, you have a chance to either slip down or to the side. That option would not work with a full harness.:(

[svt_coupe]

Originally posted by Dean95CobraR


The biggest safety hazard is in the case of a rollover. If the roof came down and you were belted in, your head would be the only thing stopping the roof. When you use regular seat belts, you have a chance to either slip down or to the side. That option would not work with a full harness.:(

You got it... and the spinal compression thing too...

Sorry guys. Didn't mean to leave that open ended. This issue has been hashed out so many times on so many web boards that I didn't want to restate stuff if there wasn't the need...

[svt_coupe]

Originally posted by svt_coupe
Another thing - if you use an aftermarket seat with a hole for the subs - make sure you mount the subs so the strap leaves the camlock (the part where all starps combine), travel down, then go FOWARD to the point where they are fastened. If they went down, then backwards, you shifting forward in an accident could cause you a bit of pain in the nether region... :(


Just want to point this out in case anyone is looking at archived material. In this quote, I was VERY VERY WRONG.

If a harness is mounted properly, pain to the nether region should be a moot point. The sole function of the sub belt is to prevent you from slipping under the lap belt (either by you shifting forward OR the belt moving vertically upwards off of your pelvis) in a forward impact. If the sub does it's job, it holds the lap belt in place. The sub can only do it's job if it goes down through the hole in your seat, travels BACKWARDS, and mounts in a "rear" position (farther back).

For reference, please see this list: http://www.svtcobraclub.com/svtbbs2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1352&highlight=safety+issues

In a conversation between John Pearson and I recently, this thread began to bother me and I wanted to set the record straight on how to properly mount a sub belt.