Sparco 4 pt Harness.
12-23-2007, 08:59 AM
#1
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Sparco 4 pt Harness.
I just bought a Hardbar and harnesses for my FRC to get a little more snug for lapping.
I got the Sparco 4 pt. It seemed to be all that I will need, this is not a race car, but I wanted to see if anyone is using them, if there is anything better out there....
I would have like to have gotten some TeamTech ones but they were $400+ which is too much for me in a normal street car.
Thanks for any help,
Z
I got the Sparco 4 pt. It seemed to be all that I will need, this is not a race car, but I wanted to see if anyone is using them, if there is anything better out there....
I would have like to have gotten some TeamTech ones but they were $400+ which is too much for me in a normal street car.
Thanks for any help,
Z
12-23-2007, 09:39 AM
#2
Team Owner
You should have a minimum of a 5-point harness and a 6-point would be even better. A 4-point won't keep you from sliding forward under the lap belt in a frontal crash.
Hence the term "submarine belt" for the small belt at the front of the seat between your legs.
Hence the term "submarine belt" for the small belt at the front of the seat between your legs.
12-23-2007, 12:55 PM
#3
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I definitely would not use the 4 point restraints. Without a sub belt, you risk serious if not fatal injuries in a bad crash. Without the sub belt, your butt slides down the seat cushion and the lap belt rides up under your rib cage. The 5th belt keeps your butt planted at the back of the seat so the other belts can properly do their job. Can you exchange the ones you got for a 5 or 6 PT set ? I personally like 6 points since you can anchor them at the rear seat mount bolts and slide through the seat back and cushion.
12-23-2007, 03:35 PM
#4
Safety Car
How is the submarine issue any different than what would happen wearing the stock 3pt? I personally use a TeamTech JetPilot; but to just be a bit more secure why not go with a 4pt over the stocker?
12-23-2007, 05:38 PM
#5
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the stock belt does not have the belt fastener in your belly.
actually in a passenger car where you sit pretty upright the sub belt doesn't stop you from sliding down -- you don't do that anyway. look at the many many videos with crash test dummies. the sub belt keeps the buckle from riding up into the soft vital organs where you will get seriously inured. 6 pt is not safer than 5 pt, but it's usually easier to accomodate a 6 pt -- you don't need a hole in the seat and an extra fastening point.
if you use a 4, 5 or 6 pt harness you really really should have a HANS or other H&N restraint devices as well.
i am not an expert, this is just what i've learned over the past year from paying lots of attention.
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Safety_at_the_track
actually in a passenger car where you sit pretty upright the sub belt doesn't stop you from sliding down -- you don't do that anyway. look at the many many videos with crash test dummies. the sub belt keeps the buckle from riding up into the soft vital organs where you will get seriously inured. 6 pt is not safer than 5 pt, but it's usually easier to accomodate a 6 pt -- you don't need a hole in the seat and an extra fastening point.
if you use a 4, 5 or 6 pt harness you really really should have a HANS or other H&N restraint devices as well.
i am not an expert, this is just what i've learned over the past year from paying lots of attention.
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Safety_at_the_track
12-23-2007, 06:02 PM
#6
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With a stock 3 pt. belt your unrestrained shoulder is allowed to rotate forward. This prevents you from sliding under the lap belt by bending your body at the waist and holds the lap belt where it belongs.
12-23-2007, 07:48 PM
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12-23-2007, 11:12 PM
#11
Safety Car
You want wrap-around for the shoulder straps, but it's a toss up between snap-in and bolt-in depending on how you want to mount them to the lap belt bar. I'd talk to Gary @ HardbarUSA about how to mount them... he's also a TeamTech dealer.
12-24-2007, 10:21 AM
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The only OTHER reason for 5 point versus 4 point is that there are some car clubs sponsoring HPDE's are considering allowing only 5 point if there are any restraints other than OEM's and that each side have "equal restraint." That means that both seats have to be equipped with the same harness or belt system. I know that Porsche Clubs are requiring this next year (I think) in instructor cars. I don't know if that mandate is national or regional, but it's something to keep in mind if you're planning to continue this hobby either as a participant or an instructor.
12-24-2007, 01:00 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
the stock belt does not have the belt fastener in your belly.
actually in a passenger car where you sit pretty upright the sub belt doesn't stop you from sliding down -- you don't do that anyway. look at the many many videos with crash test dummies. the sub belt keeps the buckle from riding up into the soft vital organs where you will get seriously inured. 6 pt is not safer than 5 pt, but it's usually easier to accomodate a 6 pt -- you don't need a hole in the seat and an extra fastening point.
actually in a passenger car where you sit pretty upright the sub belt doesn't stop you from sliding down -- you don't do that anyway. look at the many many videos with crash test dummies. the sub belt keeps the buckle from riding up into the soft vital organs where you will get seriously inured. 6 pt is not safer than 5 pt, but it's usually easier to accomodate a 6 pt -- you don't need a hole in the seat and an extra fastening point.
your hips are a lot stronger than your belly
12-24-2007, 01:59 PM
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The only OTHER reason for 5 point versus 4 point is that there are some car clubs sponsoring HPDE's are considering allowing only 5 point if there are any restraints other than OEM's and that each side have "equal restraint." That means that both seats have to be equipped with the same harness or belt system. I know that Porsche Clubs are requiring this next year (I think) in instructor cars. I don't know if that mandate is national or regional, but it's something to keep in mind if you're planning to continue this hobby either as a participant or an instructor.
Yes equal restraints on BOTH seats.
No wrap around harness belts. Must go though holes in the seat back
12-24-2007, 02:52 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
while we're on the subject of equal restraints, what about seats? I've got a Sparco for the drivers side, but just the origional C5 Sport seat on the passenger side. Same 6-point harness for both, will I have any problems?
12-24-2007, 03:03 PM
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Seats in the C5 Coupe are not a problem, the C5Z06s seats are. Non of the C6 seats have a pass though hole for shoulder harnesses.
So Harnesses mounted on C5Z seats and all C6 seats could run in to challenges are many HPDEs.
12-24-2007, 03:21 PM
#17
Safety Car
I read getting an upholstery shop to put cut-outs in wasn't acceptable to some clubs, too. So those folks that put them into their C6Z seats earlier this year may be disappointed. :-(
