5 Point Harness

[Ed_spf1255]

I'm planning to install 5 point harnesses on my newly acquired Cobra (spf 1255). Why? Since there are no air-bags it seems like a good idea; planning to autocross and it seems like a good idea for that too.
Questions - Bell sells Pyrotect set-ups for about $140 each vs. $170 for the Simpsons (both cam-lock). Any comments/experience?
Mounting - roll-bar vs bulkhead? I'm not tall - 5'7", so the problem of slipping off the shoulder with bulkhead mounting might not be an issue. Any general info/comments appreciated.
Thanks much,
Ed

[Roscoe]

I love my camlocks from Crow.

http://www.crowenterprizes.com/




Roscoe

[Ikestaa]

We (my dad and I) also opted to stay away from 4 point belts. We had planned on going 5 point, but then we ran into problems with orientating the submarine belt and mounting it (it would have to come around the front of the seat and bolt into the floor). Now we have 6 point belts from teamtech. The two submarine belts attatch where the two lap belts attatch.

[Steve R]

Roscoe,
What is the part number of your setup? I see there are several cam lock types to choose from.
Great looking interior by the way
Steven

[Roscoe]

Steve,

I believe it's

Part #11133
Racer Net. $154.95
Seat Belt Floor Mount
Y-Type Harness Bolt In
Anti-Sub Belt Bolt In

Roscoe

[Mr.Fixit]

Guys, make sure your shoulder strap mounting points are not too low when you put the harnesses in.

[Steve R]

Ikestaa,
I checked out the TeamTech site. Is your setup the one they describe as having a mountain repelling type of design?(the jet pilot model) What is the part number of your set up?, And lastly how would you rate the comfort and ease of egress?
Steven

[Steve R]

Thanks Roscoe!
Now get back to chipping that ice off your driveway Ha Ha Ha

[Steve R]

Mr Fixit,
Of these TeamTech belts, what say you? The 6 point looks less likely to smoosh my wedding tackle, and more likely to handle a submarine type of event....
Steven
Also, you fix stuff right?....can you fix my post count? Ize waz robbed! Now I'm gonna have to reply to allot more posts.

[Ikestaa]

Steve R.
Sorry for the late reply...The set we have is the 6 point ram-pac harness. I don't think it is the same thing as what you were referring to, the jet pilot model. We don't have seats yet so I can not comment on egress, although I don't think it will be much of a problem. Basically, you sit on the two submarine belts, which are fixed to the buckle, then you snap the two lap and shoulder belts down. I also can't comment on comfort, but every testimony that I have heard stated that they were far more comfortable than any other setup. Pretty much everywhere where force is applied there is padding, not just a nylon belt.

[Steve R]

Ikestaa,
Thanks. I look at the typical anti sub belt used on these cars and don't see how they are going to be able to do their job unless they are run up through a hole in the seat cusion. I called Teamtech. The closest dealer is in Dallas. I would love to hear from someone near Houston that has these belts in their Cobra and arrange a "Test sit".
Steven
PS,
If any of you Dallas guys have this set-up, I would like fly up there to have a look If Houston does not pan out.

[Steve R]

Ikestaa,
I went back to the Teamtech site. I see the ram pack harness is available in several differant versions. What is the exact part number of your setup?
Steven

[rdorman]

Most of them mount at the same point as the lap belts so you do not need to bring them up through the typical Cobra bucket. So like someone mentioned, you sit on them. They then come up and around the inside of the thighs to the bucket. Don't place your 'twig and berries' under them

Rick

[DougD]

I agree with MrFixit.
It is critically essential to mount the shoulder harnesses even with or up to 15 degrees higher than the shoulder height of the driver. This is why you see so many people use a bracket attached to the roll bar. I would NOT recommend mounting them through the rear bulkhead. If you mount them lower than shoulder height, physics will compress your spine during an accident. Not a trivial matter. The G forces involved multiply your body weight many times. The mounting point may do more damage that the accident itself would have. Get it right the first time. You never know when you'll need them.

[rdorman]

Had to mention it didn't you Fixit

For mounting position, do a search. There is LOTS of information on that! One particularly "nasty" thread amongst some of the most knowledgable members of the group.

I fell into the trap myself. Therapy is helping.

Rick

[Steve R]

Rick,
most of the ones I have seen are a single belt that comes up from a floor mount at the front of the seat bottom. What you describe seems to be a better way to prevent submarining.
Steven

[rdorman]

In the words of Carroll Smith '... real racing harnesses are six point..."

Plus you don't have to cut on the seats! If you mount the fifth belt in front of the seat think of how far you have to travel before you will, ugh.... ouch!!!!!!!

No scientist here but there is some additional issues about taking up 'slack' in belts before you come to a stop. Not good stuff either.

I have Deist harnesses. Nice stuff. Excellent re-web service as well when it comes time (I have seen tested where the web has lost 80% of its breaking strength in only two years).

I have the old fashion latch type system (Deist has a variety). So my sub belts attach to the lap belts mounts on one end and slide on the latch on the other. Since I don't always want to use the anti sub belts and I don't care to sit on them, both ends are rigged through those 'quick' release type hardware that you use on the lap and shoulder harnesses as well. I could have done just one side and then tuck down over by the tunnel when I didn't want them. I hope that picture is clear. Feels fuzzy here and that is not a good sign!

Rick

[Steve R]

Rick,
It seems a major part of selecting a restraint system is ease of using it. I don't want to be tempted into using 1/2 the system. I
understand this practice is very dangerous. Apparently, the team tech 6pt has the rotary release permanently attached to the sub belts so I would have no opportunity to let my guard down.
Steve

[Hal Copple]

On my SPF, in which i have many many drag runs and hundreds of road course laps, i have put now my third set of driver's belts, as they fray from the knurled slider adjustments. I have the "latch and link" type, Simpson, with the over the shoulder Y harness bolted with an ARP bolt thru the frame, a few inches below my shoulder, then the "crotch strap" is bolted to a frame strap, and comes up right in front of the seat, and holds the lap belts down to where they are much more comfortable, and don't "ride up" on my hips.

I believe my set up, the standard SPF one, is proper, with the correct angles of tension, according to the Simpson catalogue and guide pictures. A full Simpson latch set is about a hundred bucks per side. With hardware for mounting, if you need it.

I wear all of it, all the time. Over 50K miles so far. But i consider belts a wear out and replace item on my car.

I key the ignition, flick on the Accusump, and while it is pressurizing the engine, i take my time to get all settled in.

[Trans-Am Jim]

Two points:

Simpson recommends anchoring the shoulder harness at a point 4 inches below the top of the shoulder. They also recommend anchoring the anti-sub belt behind the chest line.

Second, the anti-sub belt's main purpose is to keep the seat belt from riding up when the shoulder belts are tightened. If the seat belt is positioned properly (around the hip, not the waist), the forward movement of the lower body in an accident is taken up by the seat belt, not the anti-sub.

This is taken from a .pdf file produces by Simpson. They used to have it on their website, but no longer. When we inspect a Trans-Am car for proper restrain system mounting, we use Simpson's recommendations, regardless of the belt manufacturer.

If anyone would like a copy of this .pdf, email me and I'll send it to ya.