Schroth Rallye 4 installed

[registering]

Well I decided on getting a Schroth Rallye 4 harness until I can spend the big bucks on a bolt-in Autopower roll-bar and 5-point harness. As long as I don't roll my car it should be just as safe (if not safer) than my stock 3-point, since I only hot lap my car and don't race. After spending a few hours I finally got it installed!

Some things I learned along the way:
1) Lowe's doesn't stock grade 8 7/16" x 20 x 1.5" bolts arg! The middle-seat rear anchor point didn't come with an OEM bolt long enough (Schroth recommends at least 9 full turns of the bolt), so I went out and bought 3 bolts that are not grade 8 (don't know what grade they were), because according to a guy at Advanced Auto Discounts "he thinks" it should be as safe as grade 8. Anyway, after buying the 3 additional longer bolts I did not end-up using them. It turns out only the middle-seat rear anchor point needed a longer bolt, which Schroth included with the kit. The other 3 anchor points took the OEM 7/16" x 20 x 1"
2) I tried to avoid taking out the seat to get to the right-side front lap anchor point by removing the console, however I ended-up having to remove the seat
3) Disconnecting the airbag connector underneath the front seat was the most frustrating and time-consuming task of all!
4) Great resource for others: http://trackaddicts.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=48

 

[Mallard]

4) Great resource for others: http://trackaddicts.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=48

That's me.

I really need to update my project log. There's a ton of stuff I could add.

 

[Action Jackson]

It makes a huge difference for my lapping days. Now my left foot doesn't have to be braced up against the "dead pedal".

I sometimes drive with just the lap belt portion of this and the stock seatbelts over it for street driving.

It's not necessary to remove the seat. If you slide the seat back you'll clearly access the attachment point on the drivers right.

 

[registering]

That's me.

I really need to update my project log. There's a ton of stuff I could add.

Awesome how-to, thanks!

It's not necessary to remove the seat. If you slide the seat back you'll clearly access the attachment point on the drivers right.

I tried and couldn't remove the plastic cover over the bolt without removing the seat. After mucking with the airbag connector everything else was a breeze. At least I now know how to remove the seat.

 

[Action Jackson]

I tried and couldn't remove the plastic cover over the bolt without removing the seat. After mucking with the airbag connector everything else was a breeze. At least I now know how to remove the seat.

Weird. I managed okay with the center console removed too.....

 

[mazdaowner123]

Yeah I was fine with just removing center console, also.

~brian

 

[Gen1GT]

Factory racing seats rock. I rode shotgun with my friend Brian in his MSP in our last autocross, and I can't believe that a car with such good handling, doesn't have more supportive seats. (eyeballs)

 

[Gen1GT]

Weird. I managed okay with the center console removed too.....

Why don't you autocross with the rest of us?

 

[Action Jackson]

Why don't you autocross with the rest of us?

I'm more of a circuit track guy
- I like to be full out for 1hr+
- I like to try different racing lines
- I like to see the car that I'm gradually catching up to or being caught by
- I really like to beat up on cars with much more HP
- I like to watch the suspension of the car ahead at work
- I tell people that I'm running regular gas on the track, when most are running Premium
- I also tell people that I'm running street tires, when most are running slicks
- etc, etc, etc....

 

[registering]

Same reasons I prefer track over autocross, but I'd like to autocross more too, they just seem few and far between whenever I go searching. I'm off to Sebring this afternoon for a track day tomorrow with my new harness yippee!

 

[mazdaowner123]

Aren't the schrothe harnesses kinda...umm...deadly on the track? I'm pretty sure a lot of groups won't let you run with them on the track.

~brian

 

[Action Jackson]

Aren't the schrothe harnesses kinda...umm...deadly on the track? I'm pretty sure a lot of groups won't let you run with them on the track.

~brian

Deadly?

They work very well.

I guess if you roll over then you're trapped in there.

But that is the risk we take to participate in this sport....

I've been a passenger in a Subby on the track w/ the Sparco versions of the Schroth. They were crap since I kept having to retighten them almost every straightaway.

I was also a passenger in an M3 with a 6 point Sparco competition harness. They were absolutely wicked.

 

[mike_moss]

Deadly?

They work very well.

I guess if you roll over then you're trapped in there.

Ummm, sorry Jackson, but it's a bit more than that. The same harness that keeps you strapped to your seat in the corners is the same harness that will keep you strapped to your seat during a roll. If your body is strapped to the seat and your head is left to flop around, what do you think your neck will do once the roof caves in?

I thought you were smarter than that. Invest in some sort of roll protection or buy a CG lock.

 

[mazdaowner123]

That's why I sold my scrothe once I started doing track days. I'm going to buy a cg-lock before the next track day.

~brian

Ummm, sorry Jackson, but it's a bit more than that. The same harness that keeps you strapped to your seat in the corners is the same harness that will keep you strapped to your seat during a roll. If your body is strapped to the seat and your head is left to flop around, what do you think your neck will do once the roof caves in?

I thought you were smarter than that. Invest in some sort of roll protection or buy a CG lock.

 

[registering]

Yep, if you roll, a Schroth Rallye 4 will hold you firmly in place and let you get crushed to death, so you should either have a rollbar or run stock belts. I only hot lap and I'm willing to risk it. If someone would like to donate an Autopower rollbar however....

 

[Action Jackson]

Being crushed from being strapped in is one of the possible dangers.

I'm just as likely to die from some ******* street racer blasting through a red light as I proceed into the intersection legally. This forum has a street kills section that I will never read.
Or from some old person slamming into me as I cross the sidewalk legally.
I could also die from a fire, or the engine being crushed into my body, the vehicle being flattened by a cement truck, etc..

Can anyone can guarantee to me that by not wearing the 4 point harness and being thrown from the vehicle during an accident will NOT kill me?

And that by wearing the 4 point harness in an accident WILL kill me?

I do understand what point you guys are making and I'm not knocking you. I appreciate your comments. Investing into as much protection is definitely important. The fact is that risk is one of the factors inherent in any motorsports and we knowingly accept that risk by participating.

Are there no accidents in AutoX?
Do all street legal AutoX vehicles have roll protection?
Are sunroofs in AutoX vehicles removed and a steel plate welded in it's place? Yeah the glass is as strong as the metal roof.....
How much of the above safety points are enforced?

In reality every Corvette and Viper [in fact EVERY vehicle] that rolls off the showroom floor should have roll protection. And that no moon/sunroofs should ever be installed on vehicles to have the utmost in safer vehicles right?

And everyone who mods to increase their engine power to accelerate also correspondingly upgrades the vehicle's brakes and tires for the ability to stop as well right? Doesn't that make sense too?

What is the reality?

 

[Action Jackson]

Well I decided on getting a Schroth Rallye 4 harness until I can spend the big bucks on a bolt-in Autopower roll-bar and 5-point harness. As long as I don't roll my car it should be just as safe (if not safer) than my stock 3-point, since I only hot lap my car and don't race.

I would suggest that you invest in some lap belt pads. The bare straps will dig into your shoulders if you really tighten them down.

 

[registering]

Yup, very good point. I just got back from Sebring on Saturday and I've still got red belt marks across my shoulders. I'll definitely be looking for some pads. The lap belts are nice, in that they have a wide leather belt between you and the actual buckle.

 

[Action Jackson]

I wish I could go to Sebring but it's just way too far!

 

[mike_moss]

WTF? Jackson, quit being so naive. You're talking like I'm telling you to ditch the 4 point and ride with nothing. Obviously I'm suggesting you use your STOCK 3 POINT. That, in combination with a CG lock is VERY good.

It's like you've forgotten that your stock 3 point belt is engineered for all the circumstances you've spoken of. Consider this point a reminder.

Here's one last thing to think about: your 4 point belt was engineered for all of the above, but in combination with a roll cage.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you never have to rely on your belts for anything other than keeping you planted in the corners. I'd hate to see the outcome.