Shoulder Harness type for Superformance #2423

[twobjshelbys]

Without a roll bar a shoulder harness on the passenger side is discouraged. It's been written about here several times. First, the bar across the back that you attach to isn't really sturdy enough. Second, without a roll bar an an overturning event, the passenger becomes the roll bar. In the event you do attach it to the bar in the trunk it may not be high enough to give proper height to the shoulders and can result in compression spine injuries in the case of a front/rear/side. Shelby would NOT install a shoulder harness in my car and told me if I did that they disclaim it.

Let the battle begin.

For a sub harness it should also be attached to a frame, not just bolted under the seat screws, although a sub harness will likely not have as much stress as the lap/shoulder harnesses do.

Good luck and you really should have had harnesses on the drivers' side long ago.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

First, the bar across the back that you attach to isn't really sturdy enough.

I will argue that. On a Superformance MK III the bars is a structural piece. I know some makes the tube behind the rear scuttle is small or just to support the body but on an SPF it is pretty stout.

The passenger harness without the roll bar is a personal judgement call, there are a lot of differing opinions.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

I will argue that. On a Superformance MK III the bars is a structural piece. I know some makes the tube behind the rear scuttle is small or just to support the body but on an SPF it is pretty stout.

The passenger harness without the roll bar is a personal judgement call, there are a lot of
differing opinions.

They're all structural but to what design. The diameter of the tubing in the rear of all cars I looked at (both Shelby and SPF) was less than the diameter of the roll bar. That was supposed to be the key.

In the case of an accident where the passenger is thrown forward the tube will probably buckle. Do NOT as I've seen some do, bolt through the tube as it will weaken it even more. Wrap the harness around the tube.

For the passenger side you have to weigh the risks. The chances of a front or side event are lots higher than a rollover, and a harness will certainly help in those cases but in the event of a rollover it will almost certainly be fatal. Do be sure the top of the harness connection is above shoulders though.

I had passenger harnesses on my car and discouraged their use.

For the driver side there is a bracket that goes across that allows for robust connection. I had one on my car too.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

They're all structural but to what design. The diameter of the tubing in the rear of all cars I looked at (both Shelby and SPF) was less than the diameter of the roll bar. That was supposed to be the key.

In the case of an accident where the passenger is thrown forward the tube will probably buckle. Do NOT as I've seen some do, bolt through the tube as it will weaken it even more. Wrap the harness around the tube.

For the passenger side you have to weigh the risks. The chances of a front or side event are lots higher than a rollover, and a harness will certainly help in those cases but in the event of a rollover it will almost certainly be fatal. Do be sure the top of the harness connection is above shoulders though.

I had passenger harnesses on my car and discouraged their use.

For the driver side there is a bracket that goes across that allows for robust connection. I had one on my car too.

The cross tube in a Supeformance comes with a boss for harness mounting from the factory. The tube is pretty stout and likely stronger than some roll bars I have seen. The harness manufacturers specify that the mounting points of the harness be no more than 15 degrees below your shoulders and for the 95th percentile this will work in a Superformance. The Shelby CSX setup is totally different and I would agree that it is not set up for a harness.