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Roll Bar or Harness Bar?

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Old 06-16-20, 08:27 AM
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Roll Bar or Harness Bar?

Obviously since I'm planning on tracking my 7, I want to get a seat/harness setup. Those stock seats do nothing to hold you in. My question is am I better off going with AutoPowers Sport roll bar, or NRGs harness bar? Ive heard some people say that using a harness without a rollbar is highly unsafe, but other people say that Mazda developed the FC RX7 with a built in sort of roll cage.

Im probably never doing competitive wheel to wheel racing, just HPDE and Open Track events. Maybe some open AutoX events too.

Obviously weight savings are critical and if the roll bar is just gonna be dead weight in the end and I would have been find with the Harness bar, id rather do that.
Old 06-16-20, 01:55 PM
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IMO: I wouldn't trust the NRG harness bar. I've looked into it and it seemed weak in terms of the mounting points. The Autopower roll bar is meant to be drilled and bolted through the frame. They also specialized in roll bars as oppose to NRG who makes a little of everything. I'm in the process of ordering the Autopower 5 point bar for my FC. When it comes to personal safety never compromise.
Old 06-16-20, 02:07 PM
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Check the rules of the organizations in your area you plan to or may run with. A harness bar may not make it past tech inspection. Usually, a seat and harness setup can only be used with a proper roll bar/cage.
Old 06-16-20, 05:37 PM
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Will you be using it on the street?
The restraint systems were made to work with each other and there isn't a good street compromise.

Harness only = whiplash during impact, crushed head in rollover
Harness + Hans + helmet= good in impact, crushed head in rollover
Harness + roll bar (no helmet) = Head injuries in impact and rollover (<--this is what people do on the street)
Harness + Hans + roll bar + helmet = Good impact + rollover protection

Try pulling the stock seatbelt all the way out and letting it retract until it locks you in place. Alternatively get a supportive seat and live with the three point belt.
Old 06-16-20, 09:19 PM
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Full cage, harness, neck brace and roll cage.

Never said if this is a street car...
Old 06-16-20, 09:20 PM
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But seriously I’d run a roll bar rather than a harness bar. At least the roll bar will protect your head.... maybe.
Old 06-17-20, 11:35 AM
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It will see street use. That’s why I figured a harness bar would be safer, cause I know a roll bar will kill you in a street situation, and seeing as how it’s Going to be max 200hp, I think rolling it is a fat chance.
Old 06-17-20, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by lespaul166
It will see street use. That’s why I figured a harness bar would be safer, cause I know a roll bar will kill you in a street situation, and seeing as how it’s Going to be max 200hp, I think rolling it is a fat chance.
bar seems functional for your application. I think that the stock 3point is fine for your driving though.
Old 06-19-20, 11:59 AM
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I see no problem using a ROLL BAR or a HALF-CAGE (4 point) on the street, as long as it does not have A-Pillar bars that run near your head, you should have less risk of head injury from impact during a crash. I've seen pictures of FC's that have rolled, it's not pretty. The only thing that saved a friend of mine was the seat prevented the roof from folding in more, the A-Pillars crushed in like old cheese.

Honestly, I'd just run a full 6 point cage myself and take the risk, make sure its tucked up tight to the roof, and have proper padding on it. If I'm ever going to be pushing it hard enough to risk a roll, I'm going to be at the track wearing a helmet.
Old 06-19-20, 09:56 PM
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Just run a roll cage. You will be happier in the end. You may decide to track the car later or have a bad crash on a back road on the streets and will have wished you would have not run across bar only.
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