Ok, my factory automatic seat belts are shot. The rails are jammed up and the motors are burnt out. I'd like to replace them both with 3 point harnesses. It will be a nice upgrade because I've done a few autoX evens and plan to do more come spring. But, I looking for advice on how to go about mounting them. I've removed my seats and rear carpets to look for potential mounting points but haven't found any "stock" holes that would really work. I would appreciate any input and pictures.

 

Did you try searching?

Did you try getting the OEM belts fixed under warranty?

 

Yes, I did a search and didn't find what I was looking for. If I wanted to repair the OEM seat restraint system this thread would be titled; "OEM Automatic Seat Belt Repair Advice". I'm simply looking for advice or direction (not to be confused with sarcasm) from my fellow FC owners on how they mounted their racing harnesses. If they have such non OEM safety restraint devices installed in said rotary powered automobile.

 

I think you'll need to install some sort of bar to mount the shoulder belts.
I'm not familiar with the details but I do know that the shoulder belts are not supposed to be fixed below a certain installed height or you risk compressing your spine rather than restraining it.

 

Thanks clokker, I did not know that. Although I would be ok with losing a few inches. My idea was to fab a rear strut brace to secure the shoulder belts. Id like to see how others secured the shoulder belts in a non roll caged cabin.

 

Quick and short way ive seen it done is to just buy a rear strut bar and use that for the shoulder belts. Ghetto yes, cheap yes, would i do it? No

 

The S4 OEM 3-point system should be an easy swap. If you are looking aftermarket, you'll probably want a harness bar (usually they are universal by width, pop "harness bar" in google and you should find results) for the shoulder straps. You'll want to mount the harness bar to the same places the automatic system is (will have to drill some holes in the interior plastic on the B-pillars) and remove the OEM lapbelt hardware to reuse those mount points for the new lap belt attachments.

If you don't reuse the stock stuff (already reinforced into the frame/body and solid), you'll have to fab up some new mounts which is probably more than you are looking to do.

 

That was my initial thought. Buy an off the shelf strut bar and find a way to make it work. But, that seems sketchy. I daily this car and would like it to be a secure as possible.

 

Then just go with the stock non electric belt system. Had the same problem as you so i removed the auto belt system and swapped it over.

If you check out clokker's build thread he has a great way of fitting everything. Although i cant remember what page

Now if you wanna be cool and throw some takata harnesess in then do weld in a cage. and do it right
Takatas are super sick

 

Go here to get some basic info on harness mounts from Simpson.
Once you know where the shoulder belts should be you can figure out a bar to do it.

 

After spending the last hour and half reading your build thread clokker I'm seriously considering getting a set of manual belt and swaping them. Your GTU is beautiful by the way. I have a 90 GXL that I know has seen better days as far as the body goes. It was wrecked, not by me. The story I was told by the previous owners father, who also happens to be a rotary only mechanic, is that his daughters then boyfriend decided he was going to give his hand at drifting and put the drivers side quarter panel into a tree. Which is my only real body related issue. Other than not caring for the oem wing. Back on topic I really appreciate the input guys! And Moksha thank you for pointing me to clokkers build thread. I think switching a manual belt is the way to go. This car is first and foremost my daily driver that I happen to autocross once a blue moon.