dj_silencer200399

iTrader: (2)

I just bought a 1991 mazda rx-7 and got a 4 point racing harness how do i put it in or really just bolt it in at using exsisting bolts? Thnaks johnathan

Black91n/a

First of all, there's no such thing as a 4 point racing harness. All REAL racing harnesses are 5 points MINIMUM.

I really don't like 4 point harnesses, I truly feel that they're DANGEROUS! Think about it, in an accident your body wants to keep going forward, pulling on the shoulder belts, which are attached to the lap belts in the middle, pulling them up into your gut. This is VERY BAD, and will seriously amplify any injuries. This is why real racing harnesses have the extra strap(s), not so much to keep you from submarining under the belts, but to keep the belts from riding up into your gut (at least in anything but a formula car when you're practically laying down). It'll also hold you to the seat, limiting your ability to reach and to properly shoulder check. It'll also hold you upright should the car roll, making you more likely to be more seriously injured or die. A roll bar is the solution to that problem (not that that's not without it's own issues with possible brain injuries should you hit your head on it), and is needed anyway, as there's no appropriate place to mount harnesses on a stock FC. They'll either be at far too great an angle, causing spinal compression in an accident, or they'll be far too long, making them stretch far too much and let you slip out, or a combination of the two. You also need to consider that stock seats aren't designed for harnesses and most don't work with them, as the harnesses need to pass through the seat, otherwise the seat is constantly pulling them off your shoulders.

So, basically you need to look at it as a system. If you want harnesses, get yourself a roll bar and some proper seats. It's worth it to do it right, after all it's your life that we're talking about..

hurleysurf24

iTrader: (3)

you kind of need a harness bar ...

Falcoms

All racing harnesses should be installed to a roll bar minimum due to the fact that factory 3 point harnesses allow for you to lean to the side in a roll over accident or any accident involving the roof collapsing in. A true racing harness does not allow for this side to side movement, so if the roof collapses in, you don't have anywhere to move your head. The roll bar/cage allows for the mounting as well as protection from roof collapse. You can purchase a harness bar from I/O port racing which you can mount the shoulder belts to, but they are only recommended for low speeds and only serve the purpose of holding you in the seat better (I.E. parking lot autocross, not street use). I/O port also supplies roll bars and roll cages, both bolt in and weld in, and they are very high quality, too, as well as made to fit with the stock interior with as little modification as possible.

Black91n/a

They list it as a harness guide bar, and it's universal, so I don't think that's a solution, and then there's still the issues with rollover.

Safety stuff works as a SYSTEM, it must be treated as such.

Go48

iTrader: (7)

You need a good rollbar w/harness bar, 5-point harnesses and seats that are either designed to maintain the position of the shoulder harnesses. Or a mod to the existing seats to add harness ports like shown in the image.

ProjectR13B

iTrader: (1)

Racing seat doesn't hurt either.

Black91n/a

If you use a harness bar without a roll bar you run an increased risk of injury or death in case of a rollover, since you can no longer slide sideways in the seat, so you're more likely to be crushed.

wrankin

Before everyone jumps down your throat (too late! ) what brand of 4-point harness did you get. Some of them (eg. Schroth) are okay to mount, and DOT approved, while others are not for the reasons stated above.

-bill

Rotors R Cool

If I'm correct, there is ONLY ONE D.O.T. approved 4-point. Don't ask which it is because I don't know...

Black91n/a

I'm pretty sure there's more than one DOT approved harness. There's only the one ASM, which is somewhat safer than a regular 4 point, but it's still nowhere near as good as a 5 point. Also, no matter what you use, there is no place in a stock FC where you can safely mount the shoulder straps of a harness, you NEED a roll bar with a harness bar to do so safely. If you look at the videos on the Scroth site you'll see another reason why stock seats aren't a good idea, they compress quite a lot in an accident, allowing the harnesses to shift positions as you move down in the seat.

If you are dead set of 4 points, then the Scroth ASM is the way to go, but if it were me, I'd be using stock 3 points or a 5+ point harness. I just don't feel that 4 points are safe, no matter what extra technology is in them, the load paths are all wrong.

Rotors R Cool

^I'd have to agree^