Harness Bar install......Have you???

[Elsabor67]

People,

I know it may sound sort of weird but has anyone installed a Harness Bar on their 128/135? I have a universal one I bought from a guy on the forums a while back and am debating if I really want to hack the pillar plastic pieces to do this. I have 2 Racequip 5 point harnesses I want to install but do not want to go off the bolts from the bottom because of the angle the shoulder belt will have.

Any input or alternatives would be really appreciated. And yes, the car will see a lot of track time

Nick

[Pig Farmer]

The trim for the B-pilar is only about $12 a side. Hack away, and order new trim if you don't like the result.

BTW... Get ready for people to blast you for using a harness bar without a full cage.

[Elsabor67]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

The trim for the B-pilar is only about $12 a side. Hack away, and order new trim if you don't like the result.

BTW... Get ready for people to blast you for using a harness bar without a full cage.

I was expecting that (the blasting part) and apreciate the response Pig Farmer . It's not easy finding a half-cage like the former BRRacing one since almost all that I have seen here in Germany require you to either weld or make holes to bolt down and that i'm not really feeling up to. Yeah, the car does see a decent ammount of circuit time but it's also my DD and the boss (aka wife) is pretty adamant about a a cage in the back even though the kids are too big now.

I have the backup covers when I hack the panels, or I might just sell the harnesses altogether and go back to a Corbeau 3 point I used to have that reached and bolted to the upper back without issues and gave me a level mounting angle. The biggest concern I have is the downward angle it would have if I go the lower bolts route.

[02rsxpilot]

Why not go Schroth quick fit 4-points? They are designed to release at one shoulder, making them just as safe as your factory belt and they attach to factory mounting points. I love mine.

I spent quite a bit of time researching seats, harnesses and cages recently when looking at 986 Boxsters, and the end conclusion was if you are really trying to be safe, all of those things need to work in concert. Only going half way actually increases your safety risk.

[E82MSport]

Originally Posted by 02rsxpilot

Why not go Schroth quick fit 4-points? They are designed to release at one shoulder, making them just as safe as your factory belt and they attach to factory mounting points. I love mine.

I spent quite a bit of time researching seats, harnesses and cages recently when looking at 986 Boxsters, and the end conclusion was if you are really trying to be safe, all of those things need to work in concert. Only going half way actually increases your safety risk.

I've been running these for a while and love them. They are DOT certified and crash tested.

The best thing is, you can install both driver and passenger in about 30 minutes and remove when not used. Literally four torx bolts for the install and you're done. When you're not using them just unbuckle and they're out.

I bought mine through HMS Motorsport for about $250/side. Shipping was super fast and they are good people to deal with.

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/store/s.../quick-fit-bmw




I also had Schroth Rallye Cross harnesses in my GTI. Loved them.

[Elsabor67]

Thanks for that guys. Quick question. Did you feel any disadvantages with the points for the shoulder belts at that angle? Might forego the Bar and just bolt the straps to the bottom. I will also check the ones you linked on your post. Thanks.

[02rsxpilot]

They are just different products. Traditional 5-point harnesses are designed to be used in concert with roll cages, fixed back seats, disabled airbags, and helmets. You want the rear belts at 90 degrees so the belts don't compress your spine in the case of a crash.

The Quick Fits are designed to be safe as a substitute for the factory belts, which means they are designed under completely different parameters. They have addressed the risk of spine compression due to the angle of the rear belts by building a release into one of the shoulders, so there is no disadvantage there. And from a usability standpoint, you certainly don't struggle to snug yourself in with these, though I do put a piece of painters tape between the leather of my seat and where the belts cinch down to avoid wearing down the leather.

[Elsabor67]

Then I'm sold. Thanks for the input man. Really appreciate it.

[02rsxpilot]

No problem, let us know how you like them!

[Kgolf31]

They also have a Pro Version that is HANS compatible. The Pro version (which is what I run) IMO mimics a traditional 4-point harness over their cheaper version

[Elsabor67]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

They also have a Pro Version that is HANS compatible. The Pro version (which is what I run) IMO mimics a traditional 4-point harness over their cheaper version

Thanks. I will be searching for that one once back in the states.

I really appreciate the feedback.

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

They also have a Pro Version that is HANS compatible. The Pro version (which is what I run) IMO mimics a traditional 4-point harness over their cheaper version

I have this too, works well.

[dcaron9999]

I have the quick-fit pro which I bought used from a member of this forum. Love how it pins you to your seat, and how much more feedback you get from the car beneath you.

Having said that, one of the lapping clubs I instruct at refuses them. The club organizer claims that the club's insurance company does not permit the use of any harness device, without a proper roll cage also installed in the car. This is to prevent neck injuries, in case of a roll over, roof impact, roof cave-in...

[Ginger_Extract]

bumping this up. want to order these, is there anything else that need to safely install these?

[The Wind Breezes]

No, no, and no. Harness + roll bar = your head holds the roof up if the front caves in.

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

No, no, and no. Harness + roll bar = your head holds the roof up if the front caves in.

These are DOT approved and not FIA- says it all.

I wouldn't compare it to a true race harness without a bar, these are engineered to fail in such a way as to mimic OE belts.

[Elsabor67]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

No, no, and no. Harness + roll bar = your head holds the roof up if the front caves in.

How does your head do this??????? Are you trying to say that the Roll bar will hold the roof up?

[The Wind Breezes]

Originally Posted by Elsabor67

How does your head do this??????? Are you trying to say that the Roll bar will hold the roof up?

I'm trying to say you need a full cage and all the hassles that go along with it, or you may become a quadriplegic when the roof caves in on you and the harness holds you in position for your spine / neck to get fucked. Roll bar isn't enough.

[Focusedintntions]

As an instructor with multiple organizations I've seen that while some will allow it, most instructor will not ride and let you use them in the car. I def will not as they're a huge safety hazard for on track driving. If you want to use the while solo that's your call. But between the submarine and roll over risk I cannot stress enough that these are a horrible idea.