Now that I have my C5, I would like to properly set it up for the track from the beginning. Thanks to several recommendations I have decided on Speedwares' harness bar. Now for the saftey harnesses, I previously had Simpsons, but I am not sure I would like those again. What are most of you using? I definitely want cam-lock. Any thoughts on Sparco?

 

Sparco is good, thats what I use. The belts seem to be wider and thicker then the simpsons I have used (in ride alongs).

Joel

 

All of them meet the SFI minimums. The difference is in the details of the cam lock, padding, etc. I sell the TeamTech because it is the best and it saved my life in a 120 MPH crash that I am not proud of, but I walked away. All of the front runners in TransAm use the Team Tech harness (Archer, Gentolozzi, Simo, Fellows). The RamPac harness that TeamTech makes is not the least expensive, but it is the best (I used to work for one of the 3 letter companies). TeamTech has a new harness that has a 2 to 1 mechanical advantage on the lap belt (think block and tackle on a sailboat...) that will allow you to get a really tight lap belt. In addition, all color combinations are available at no extra cost.
Gary Hoffman
Hardbar.net



[Modified by ghoffman, 10:02 PM 9/4/2001]

 

The Sparco belts are very nice, there is a reason why most drivers in the world rely on them for safety, The Sabelt harness is also made by Sparco with just a different name. Simpson belts basically have the name plate most seen here in america. I am a racing safety equipment dealer (business owner) I personally use a set of Pyrotect harness'. They are made with quality and I have recomended them to many racers who rely on them every friday, saterday and sunday night, I have never had a complaint and I know several drivers have tested them agianst concrete walls and have come back for more action. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me and check out our web site at http://www.whittlesperformance.com I would be happy to assist you in your needs for purchase and installation. If you are a member of the National Corvette Museum, please let me know. I am triing to work out a discount program with the museum.

 

I agree that the Pyrotechs are a good buy. I've got two in my car right now. Maybe not the one with the most bells and whistles but a solid performer at a good price. I find that the cam lock is very easy to get out of in a hurry when you have to put out a under-hood fire... of course, I may have just been motivated

Cory

 

Look at the Scroth's. They are a little pricey but I am worth it!!!!!!!

Robin

 

I agree with zrracer. I had Doug Rippie install black Schroth 6-point belts in my car. They look awesome.

 

To everyone considering the use of a harness without roll bar protection, I would encourage you to do some research on the safety of this application. While a harness, used with a harness bar application, is effective for holding you in place, it could become your enemy in the event of a roll over. Probably the message here is: harness AND roll protection for the track. Just a thought for those who think that they are acquiring safety by adding safety products to their cars in an inappropriate way. Your input and experiences are appreciated...

 

I pretty much feel the same way. I am not a big fan of harness bars or click in harnesses. I have seen too many rollovers with crushed roofs, that may well have ended in tragedy if the occupants had been held upright by their harnesses. The standard three point seat belt is designed to allow you to slide down to clear a collapsing roof. Having said all that I don't think that it is as much of an issue in a C-5. The C-5 has a massive steel roll hoop in the roof, and the aluminum windshield surround is pretty beefy as well. I think a C-5 would handle a rollover pretty well, with the driver compartment surviving pretty much intact. I just didn't want to push my luck. When it came time to do it in my car I did put in the DRM rollover/harness bar. It is a nice piece and gives me just a little more piece of mind.

All Corvettes Are Red

 

Thanks for your input, after reading your post and the previous post I will consider a roll bar vs a harness bar, like I said I want to do this right. Now my question is are most bars custom made or is availability not a problem? Aside from DRM any other recomendations? Are harness bars mostly for autocross use, since after reading your posts it seems kind of scary to use one for the track. Again any input would be appreciated

 

Harness bars are just for mounting harnesses. The little "helmet hoops" on some are just for looks. There is virtually no structural rigidity for torsional or vertical (roof) forces. As a result, they provide no rollover crush protection whatsoever. If anything, the helmet hoop may twist forward on rollover and contact your neck! Their original intent was for low speed autocross and similar applications where many owners need to install harnesses to keep themselves in the center of the seat under high G's, but they want minimum weight added. Top autocrossers do not want to use the steering wheel to keep themselves centered in the seat and their elbow and knee as a prybar against the door while trying to negotiate quick turns, shift and brake.
>>Roll Bars are for safety, anti-crush rollover protection with the little added bonus of providing effective harness mounting. Again, 2 point hoops are virtually worthless compared to a 4 point roll bar.
>>Pre-fabricated, streetable & strong 4 point roll bars are readily available for the C4 and C5 chassis. In most cases, some interior work is necessary to cut holes to access the car's frame. Small plates are welded onto the frame and the roll bar is bolted to them. Careful interior modification (carpeting slicing and fiberglass work) will allow you to return the car to stock configuration for resale. Many owners choose to have an experienced performance Corvette shop perform this roll bar installation.
>>Perhaps one in ten participants in Educational/Instructional Road Racing Events uses a roll cage. Everyone else is in their daily driver, most with stock belts. I'm not discouraging you from good safety measures, but if you drive sanely and within your ability/skill level the risk of rollover is not exactly huge. If you were driving a narrow, tall Rabbit with slicks...that'd be different. Personally, I've felt more danger on the street under certain conditions. Many instructors hop in cars with inexperienced participants and no extra safety equipment. Now THATS scary!


[Modified by Rick93Z07, 10:41 PM 9/6/2001]

 

Vettechic,
Just today I bought the Kirk Competition Roll Bar for my C5 Coupe. The bar is a bolt in bar however the mounts do have to be welded in. The mounts for the front of the bar are welded to the cross member that goes across the car just behind the seats and the rear mounts are welded to the frame near the center storage compartment in the back. Here are some pictures of what it looks like in a Hardtop before the carpet is reinstalled: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/bill...ront_Mount.JPG and http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/bill...ear_Mounts.JPG .

Price of the bar is $350. The Street bar mounts the same way but does not have the diagonal cross brace that is required by sanctioning bodies. Call Julie at Kirk (205-608-1156) for more info.
Bill


[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 11:35 PM 9/6/2001]


[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 11:38 PM 9/6/2001]

 

I purchase the a pair of TeamTech 6-point harnesses for my C5 earlier this summer. Now that I have had several autocross and high speed events under my belt I am glad to say that I think I made the right choice. They were not the cheapest ones on the market, but again I never skimp on cost when it comes to my safety -- also why I installed a hardbar from Gary Hoffman (which was actually not that expensive).

This weekend its off to Sears Point on Saturday and some autocrossing on Sunday... And yes, having good harnesses can actually help your autocross times.