I want to get a 4 or 5 point harness, and I wanted to know if the floor mount or a bar mount harness is better. And why?

 

if you have a bar, bar mount is better. floor mount is only for people who dont have a bar to attach to. the floor mount straps are much longer and pull you down too much whereas the bar mounting is nearly level with your shoulders.

 

What kind of bar is ideal to mount it on? Is a rear strut bar strong enough to hold if in an accident?

BTW it is for a S4 TII, and I will probably be getting a Mazdaspeed strut bar with roll cage that bolts to the floor and wheel wells. Or a autopower that has the bar running across the middle.

 

First - Get a 5 point (or even a 6 point). Most racing organizations require the shoulder straps to have seperate anchoring points. A Y-type harness (what I'm assuming you mean when you say "4 point") combines the shoulder straps together and anchors them at one point. It's not quite as safe, and as I said, many organizations don't allow it for just that reason. 5 or 6 points are much better.

Second - have you ever looked at your stock rear strut bar? It is NOT strong enough to attach a harness to, so DON'T do it. A few places make replacement bars designed specifically for that application on an FD(Rotary Extreme and M2 come to mind). I'm sure that there is something out there for an FC.

Optimally, you would want a full roll bar or roll cage, and you can anchor the harness to that. Many people actually argue that a harness is not safe to use without a roll bar. You can formulate your own opinion on that.

Rob

 

The harness's that I am looking at have the 4 points (belts) seperate, nonw of them are Y-type. And I have the option later to make it a 5 or a 6 point harness. Whats you thoughts on floor mounting? And does racing except it?

Yeah, I really would not feel to comfortable attaching it to a strut tower bar unless it was completly solid/rigid like apart of the frame.

I also gather if I get a full roll bar I really have no need for a strut tower bar then? Or is it still a good idea for a more ridged chassis?

 

If you want a harness bar, go with Rotary Extreme. A rear strut bar is always a nice thing to have - stiffens the frame. I think anything more than a 4 pt is illegal for street use.

 

Do NOT get a 4 point with seperate shoulder harnesses!!!!! Just in case you didn't catch that, let me say it again:

Do NOT get a 4 point with seperate shoulder harnesses!!!!!

Those kind of straps don't have a crotch strap. The crotch strap (also known as the anti-submarine strap) keeps the shoulder and side straps in place. Without it, the shoulder straps will pull the lap belts up and into (or under) your rib cage in an accident. This usually results in broken ribs, or worse... These kinds of belts are illegal in almost ALL racing organizations, and for good reason. I honestly didn't think you could even buy them anymore. They are really not safe.

As for floor mounting, yes it is completely legal in most reacing orgs. However, you usually need to attach a backing plate to where the bolts mount (standard car sheet metal is not nearly thick enough). These backing plates are sold wherever belts are sold.

 

Sprockett - The number of belts has nothing to do with whether it is street legal or not. As a matter of fact, most aftermarket racing belts are illegal for street use. It has more to do with the webbing, and give-away section (street belts have a 1-2" section that unfolds in an accident). There are only a couple of manufactures that make harness that are completely street legal (you can get them in 5 or 6 point designs).

Also, as for the Rotary Extreme harness bar: I totally agree. I have one on my car, and its probably the nicest piece of equipment I have. The thing is amazing, and I highly recommend it.

However, he is asking about an FC. I don't think Rortary Extreme makes a harness bar for an FC. I could be wrong though...

 

Ok now I am really confused...before you said not to get a Y-type, now it sounds you do....

The 4 point harness is standard each belt is seperate and has it own mounting points to the vehicle, then for an extra $40 you can add the fifth that mounts to the floor in front of the driver, or $80 and go from 4 to 6 points. I think the six points are a y-type, what I mean is they have seperate mounting points but go to a Y when you buckle them in.

 

Oh, do you know which manufacturers make the street legal harness?

 

Sorry I confused you, to clear things up:

5 point is pretty simple. 2 shoulder belts, 2 lap belts, and a crotch strap. All attaching to their own anchor point.

6 point has 2 shoulder belts, and 2 lap belts. Instead of a crotch strap, it has 2 different anti-submarine straps that bolt to the floor at a bit of an angle (they perform the same function of the 5 point crotch strap). You are correct when you say that the straps kind of y together and then buckle in.

There are two types of 4 point harnesses:

The first has 2 shoulder straps and 2 lap belts, and thats it. This one you should avoid at all costs. NOT safe.

The second is also known as a Y-type, or Y-belt. It's very similar to a 5 point, except for the fact that the two shoulder straps attach together behind the driver, and then they anchor at one point. This one is okay (much better than the above 4-point), but it's not as good as a 5 or 6 point. Most racing organizations don't allow it, either. Which is another reason to stay away from it.

So in summary, go with a normal 5 or 6 point harness. In your case, spend the extra 40 and get a crotch strap.

Does this make sense? If not, let me know, and I'll try to clarify more.

I can't remember the names of manufacturers off the top of my head, but I'll look em up for ya. I'll also see if I can find some pictures to post

 

so where is a good place to buy the greddy harnesses or the takara harness..

 

Ok, I was pretty sure I followed you before, thanks for clearing it up.

If I heard correctly Takata is one of, if not the only street legal. But i was not sure of more..

No you know where I could find more info?

 

Alpha-7, it's Takata, not Takara.

The only brand that I can think of that is DOT approved for the street is Schroth. They're a bit more expensive though. I've never heard anything about Takata being street legal. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure they're not. Why would you want a Takata anyway? There's really no difference between that harness and any other system, and it's like 2-3 times more expensive.

There's a bit of information HERE pertaining to harness and installation information. The install info is pertaining to an FD, but it's a very similar process for an FC.

 

Close... same thing...lol

Where can one get those or the greddy harness....

 

Back from the dead! Anyone know where I can find the above link for the install? Being that this thread is 5 years old, the links don't work.