Harness Bar For 86?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 209
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Harness Bar For 86?
I'm looking to put 5 point harnesses into my 86 and I can't seem to find anyone selling them. I have searched the forums and the web and most of the ones mentioned like R-D Racing seem to be out of business. The one I did fine said it was for 90 and up. Not sure what the difference between the 86 and 90 are in regards to the install of a harness bar. Does anyone know of someone making and selling them for earlier C4's? A budget friendly one would be a real plus. I know I can go to a race shop and have one custom made but that would likely cost almost as much as I have into my car.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
R-D Racing went out of business some years ago. Keep looking in the C4 Parts For Sale section or maybe try starting a WTB (Want to buy) thread in the Autocrossing and Road Racing section.
The difference between the early and later C4's for a harness bar is the length. There is about a 2" difference in width between the shoulder belt attaching bolts in the halo.
The harness bar is only part of a 5-point setup. You need to get the lap belts securly attached while still retaining the OEM seatbelt mounting assuming you will drive the car on the street. Also you will need a bar for the sub belt. It's not a good idea to simply let the sub strap wrap around the front of the seat. Race seats have a slot for the sub belt.
The difference between the early and later C4's for a harness bar is the length. There is about a 2" difference in width between the shoulder belt attaching bolts in the halo.
The harness bar is only part of a 5-point setup. You need to get the lap belts securly attached while still retaining the OEM seatbelt mounting assuming you will drive the car on the street. Also you will need a bar for the sub belt. It's not a good idea to simply let the sub strap wrap around the front of the seat. Race seats have a slot for the sub belt.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
EM Racing has them
http://emracingcorp.com/
sometimes there are little fitment issues, but once you get them in, they are fine. I had to have one of the holes welded up and redrilled. Cost less than shipping it back to get a replacement/redone
http://emracingcorp.com/
sometimes there are little fitment issues, but once you get them in, they are fine. I had to have one of the holes welded up and redrilled. Cost less than shipping it back to get a replacement/redone
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
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Likes: 24
Thanks to both of you for responding. I do plan to install both 5 point and keep the stock belts for street use. I have been able to fins brackets that will attach the anti sub straps as well as allow the lap belts to connect in the same location as the factory belts. Those pieces seemed pretty easy to find I was having a hard time finding the harness bar. EM Racing seems to have the answer.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
An added benefit is that they stiffen the car up. my car (as I have said) only has a bit under 15,000 miles now and was old lady driven before I got it. It had the typical C4 rattles and squeaks. After putting the bar in, even my wife said she could tell the difference.
By tying the two sides together, the bar acts like the bulkhead behind the rear seat of a non-hatchback type car. Back when I was into 5.0 Mustangs for a bit, it was common knowledge that the fixed back car was stiffer than the hatch back car.
By tying the two sides together, the bar acts like the bulkhead behind the rear seat of a non-hatchback type car. Back when I was into 5.0 Mustangs for a bit, it was common knowledge that the fixed back car was stiffer than the hatch back car.
Last edited by drcook; Jul 19, 2017 at 08:37 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
An added benefit is that they stiffen the car up. my car (as I have said) only has a bit under 15,000 miles now and was old lady driven before I got it. It had the typical C4 rattles and squeaks. After putting the bar in, even my wife said she could tell the difference.
By tying the two sides together, the bar acts like the bulkhead behind the rear seat of a non-hatchback type car. Back when I was into 5.0 Mustangs for a bit, it was common knowledge that the fixed back car was stiffer than the hatch back car.
By tying the two sides together, the bar acts like the bulkhead behind the rear seat of a non-hatchback type car. Back when I was into 5.0 Mustangs for a bit, it was common knowledge that the fixed back car was stiffer than the hatch back car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 24
Interesting. Why did you have to go to a smaller rear sway bar after installing the harness bar? Did you notice a handling loss after the bar? I would think that making the chassis more stiff would improve handling?
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I have the EM bar, getting it in was a true ordeal. It was not as plug & play for me as the directions had me believe.
I would never take it back out again under any circumstances, but it is sturdy. I have not noticed any improvement to handling in the year I've had it in. The old RD Racing Crossbar does more there than any other modification.
I would never take it back out again under any circumstances, but it is sturdy. I have not noticed any improvement to handling in the year I've had it in. The old RD Racing Crossbar does more there than any other modification.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 28
From: Medina OH
I too have the EM (old design) harness bar, it fit like a glove on my 85. I took it in and out when I converted the interior from blue to black with no issue.
There is no doubt they help to tighten up the car, but in fairness I also have a rollbar.
There is no doubt they help to tighten up the car, but in fairness I also have a rollbar.
Last edited by 85 Stalker; Jul 19, 2017 at 01:27 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
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From: Adelaide South Australia
I spoke to an engineer I know - he suggested going back to the stock 19 mm rear sway bar, so I did. Next meeting it was back to being neutral and another 3/10's faster.
Every change you make on these cars quite often requires another change somewhere else !