Shoulder Harness Installation

[Clayboy]

These are the ones that I got several years ago...
Bolt-In 3in 4pt Lap Belt w/ Sewn-In Y Shoulders ::: Deist Safety, Pioneers in Auto Racing Safety.

Bob

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by gene giambona

I purchased a set of RJS 30298-16-23 (blk camlock quick release from summit racing). They should still carry it.

I bought my RJS camlocks direct from RJS.

[Hammer65]

Send me an email an I'll reply with a Superformance "Technical Service Tip" document that explains how to install the shoulder harness. In addition to the mounting holes on the frame, there are slits in the body just behind each seat that are covered with carpeting but easily opened. I had the installer fabricate a stainless piece about 3" x 1" or so with holes in each end. One end is bolted to the frame and the other now protrudes throuh the body. I chose Corbeau harness and attached each shoulder strap to the fabricated piece now easily accessible behind the seat. Some spacing washers were used to separate the harness fasteners.

[cobra 53]

I purchased a set from Crow Enterprizes Home

[DougD]

Several things to consider come to mind when I read this thread:

Mounting the shoulder straps below the shoulder line and the effect this has on the compression of the spine in an accident.

The need for passenger shoulder harnesses at all with no passenger roll bar.

Whether a passenger would even be allowed in the car without a roll bar at a track event.

A passenger's head impacting the roll bar when the passenger is not wearing a helmet.

The likelihood of a rollover vs a side, front or rear impact.

The legality of a y-type vs h-type shoulder harness and tech inspection.

Driving in a manner that necessitates a shoulder harness while a passenger is in the car.

[frdfver]

All very good points Doug. alot to think about, after finishing up the mounts and installation of mine just this moring. There is some interesting info on the internet and even on the side of the box the harness's come in on proper installation. I went with 5 point RJS...

Paul T.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by DougD

Several things to consider come to mind when I read this thread:

Mounting the shoulder straps below the shoulder line and the effect this has on the compression of the spine in an accident.

The need for passenger shoulder harnesses at all with no passenger roll bar.

Whether a passenger would even be allowed in the car without a roll bar at a track event.

A passenger's head impacting the roll bar when the passenger is not wearing a helmet.

The likelihood of a rollover vs a side, front or rear impact.

The legality of a y-type vs h-type shoulder harness and tech inspection.

Driving in a manner that necessitates a shoulder harness while a passenger is in the car.

What about the crap load of convertibles out there without any roll over protection? For that matter, all the street versions of the Cobra?

I do not let anyone ride in my Cobra without the 5 point system hooked up. The chance of a roll over is slim. The chance of any other type of accident is considerably higher.

Look what will happen to a passenger in even a slight rear end accident. They face is firmly planted in the hard fiberglass cowl.

To me this is the same logic used by some to say that Uncle Harry's 5th cousin, twice removed would have died if he had had a seat belt on, and that's why I don't wear them.

Sorry for the rant, but this happens to be a hot spot for me. No offense intended.

[Brewme]

Originally Posted by Clayboy

These are the ones that I got several years ago...
Bolt-In 3in 4pt Lap Belt w/ Sewn-In Y Shoulders ::: Deist Safety, Pioneers in Auto Racing Safety.

Bob

Bob, how do you like these? This seems like the best fit the passenger seat. My roll bar already has the X bar, so might as well use it with the driver seat belt.

[j_b]

The original owner of my car had installed the roll bar cross member for the shoulder harnesses, and I used it for a little while after purchasing the car. However, I was extremely uncomfortable with the skull-piercing eye bolts being that close to my head, so I removed the bar and installed Simpson "V" style belts.

There is a pre-cut slot under the carpet behind both seats in teh SPF cars, which gives you access to the frame cross member that runs against the back of this wall. There are also pre-pierced holes for single attachment point shoulder harnesses. You must remove the rear wheels to gain access to the cross member and the attachment holes. I also found it much easier to slit the carpet from the outside in, because the slots can be hard to find through the carpet from inside the car.

I spoke with Simpson about "Y" belts before placing my order. They told me that they will make them, but will not SFI rate them, because they are not as strong as the "V" configuration. All of their belts are made to order, so you can give them customs lengths if you like; you are not bound by what is on their website.

[Brewme]

JB, I really like the Simpson belts you have. Do you remember what length you told them or the best way to measure to make sure the straps aren't too long or too short? It looks like they have 55" and 62" listed on their website as standard options.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Brewme

JB, I really like the Simpson belts you have. Do you remember what length you told them or the best way to measure to make sure the straps aren't too long or too short? It looks like they have 55" and 62" listed on their website as standard options.

You can safely cut the excess length off if you like.

To keep them from unravelling, just place a piece of metal on your stove burner and when it's hot, quickly touch the cut end of the belt to it. It will melt the end and you are good to go.

[Brewme]

John I appreciate that tip, but if I'm spending that much money I want the end of the belt sown and looking good. I've done the melting tip before and it never looks nice at the end.

[j_b]

My belts are the Latch F/X pull-down. They are all 3" wide, with 62" lap belts. The shoulder harnesses are the standard length on the passenger side, which I believe is 34", and either two, or four, inches longer on my side of the car. They asked me to measure the shoulder harness length from the attachment point to my belt (where the latch will sit), while sitting in the car. I ordered the driver's side shoulder belts a little longer, because my measurement was right at the standard length, and to provide a little room for a coat on cold Michigan mornings.

I think I mentioned in my previous post that they will make "Y" belts, but will not SFI rate them. I was concerned that the "V" belts would rub my neck, but I plan to track my car, so I went with the "V" configuration. I actually like the "V" setup better than the "Y" that is in my dad's car, mostly because the "Y" belts have a tenancy to flip over on themselves when getting in and out of the car, which is a pain.

The other thing that I ordered custom was the eye-bolt clips for attachment of the lap belts, rather than the stock bolt-down plates. SPF cars have eye bolts in the floor for the lap belts, which is a nicer setup.

The anti-sub belts are attached through a hole that I drilled in the front seat supports that run under the car. Basically, just centered the hole between the existing seat bolts. It's probably not the strongest way to do it, but it's the only way unless you want to weld in stronger rails.

The seats are currently out of my car, so if anyone wants more pics I would be happy to post them.

[j_b]

Oh! I forgot to mention. I knew that my lap belts would be long when I ordered them, but wanted to mark the length while adjusted and sitting in the car. Simpson loops the ends of all the belts, and I don't want to lose this by cutting them off, so they're going back to the factory over the winter to be cut down and loops restitched.

Finally, besides the upcharge for the Platinum belts, which are a different material, there was no fee for and of the other mods.

[ReMorton]

j-b: Please post photos.Thx

[bret a ewing]

How'd they do it in the old days?