GI: Speedware Harness Bar

[SwirlFX]

This thread is strictly for discussion of this product. No discussion of price, sales, or group buys will take place.

This is a non production model of the Speedware Harness Bar for the MSP.

Who's Interested? Ideas and feedback is what we're looking for.

 

[SwirlFX]

Bump for feedback.

 

[MSP Kirk]

If you have passengers in the back and you get into an accident will there faces smash into the bar?

 

[i like speed]

That's kinda cool. Is the camera the only thing it's good for?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

as the name suggests, the explicit purpose is to mount harness for racing seats. you CAN also mount a camera to it.. and this particular car has stock seats and seatbelts at the time of pictures being taken, making harness somewhat redundant..

That's kinda cool. Is the camera the only thing it's good for?

Aside from that, it looks to me like the clearances are pretty big from the front seats. I'd want to see it closer to the seats so as not to pose such a danger to potential rear passengers, and not eat up so much free space besides.

 

[SwirlFX]

Clearance is made to have full seat adjustability. I'm 5,6 short so my seat is very close to the wheel. Its made so that the seat can go back as far as possible for taller drivers. The whole bar is removable the 4 bolts.

It's not made to passenger use. Why would you want passengers back there while its installed?

I finished up the install very late and didn't have time to install the harnesses yet. Harness shots will come soon.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I'm 6'3, so I appreciate the full adjustability of the seat. lol

I'm aware that I'm near the conservative end of the spectrum here... I'm by no means an extreme modder. But this is my perspective... take it for what its worth.

A lot of us aren't building race cars. if we were, we wouldn't have bought a 4 door to begin with. Any mod I do is done with increasing overall capability of my car. I'm not going to sacrifice functionality or driveability for performance. I've thought about putting in a 4 or 5 point cage with a harness bar for autocrossing and such.. more for kicks and the fun of fabricating it than true functionality, so I'm probably not a customer for this kinda thing. So I'm just trying to speak for those who are trying to maintain the full usability of our cars when modding.

Feel free to disregard my opinion, because in all honesty, I'd have to see it in person to formulate a real opinion. But as faruld as fit and finish, unless theres a reason the bracket mounting on the top is so long, I think you could eat up the length with tube and have it look nicer.

 

[SwirlFX]

You opinion is noted. I will not disregard it. Input is input. Thank You!

The bar is totally non intrusive. The bar mounts on to factory bolt locations and prefab brackets. 4 Bolts and the bar comes out. Maybe 10 15 minutes work.

I'll play with the idea of shorter brackets in the mean time.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I think shorter brackets would look cleaner (I work in a tool and die shop, so I see this kinda stuff all the time). And if there is any clearance between the bar and the seat all the way back, that would eat it up..

 

[i like speed]

as the name suggests, the explicit purpose is to mount harness for racing seats. you CAN also mount a camera to it.. and this particular car has stock seats and seatbelts at the time of pictures being taken, making harness somewhat redundant..

Lol sorry I don't know much about that kinda stuff. That was my first thought but it had stock seatbelts so it was just like huh?

 

[JDM Sam]

Make sure it follows the recommended mounting angles for harnesses, otherwise it becomes a show only bar. As long the range of adjustment allows for proper mounting angles, this will be work out for people needing a harness bar.

 

[low_psi]

The problem is, no legitamate organization is going to let you on track with a harness bar. So in my opinion, and the view from many sanctioning bodies, this harness bar is strictly a show piece. Its not even safe to use on the street with harnesses attached.

I think it's cool you're looking to offer a new product, I just don't think you should promote it as a functional safety product. It certainly offers a great camera mounting location though.

 

[JDM Sam]

Gotta read each sanctions rulebooks before you go racing!

Here's a recent article related to the subject.
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/tech/0805_sccp_2006_mitsubishi_lancer_evolution_ix/index.html

 

[rosem32]

JDM Sam, Thats a good article from SCC. The harness bar itself it perfect for people who are going to autox or do some light tracking.

Low PSI, The main issue for tracking and rules is to make sure you get the correct harness belts. You must have a 5 or 6 point belt to be legal and have a camber lock not a regular seat belt clip. Check out the article JDM Sam posted.

SwirlFx, You can leave this in the car as long as people are not riding in the back seat. Just make sure you get the 5 or 6 point belts so when you feel like autox or drags you are legal. +1million for getting a new product to market.


A roll cage in a daily driver....hell no. You would smack your head and die. A harness bar and harness belts you can leave in the car.

 

[Gobbracing]

For safety reasons this bar would not be allowed to be used in Solo1, lapping, track days.
Why? Because a certified 5-6 point racing harness is made to hold the occupant in place during a roll-over/impact. Using a harness with this bar only is very dangerous in case of a roll-over because the occupant cannot lean down to safety if the roof caves in. The result can be a broken neck or death. The OEM belt is actually safer when no roll-over protection is not installed.
To be allowed to use a certified 5-6 point racing harness, the car must be equipped with an approved by the sanctioning body roll bar minimum.

For autox it would pass inspection. But anything else faster please check with the sanctioning body as Low Psi wrote.

Btw I'm chief-technical/safety inspector for my region (Quebec).

 

[Wagonbacker9]

The OEM belt is actually safer when no roll-over protection is not installed.

you meant when no rollover protection is installed...

(not trying to be a dick, just making sure its clear)

 

[Outlawstar98]

Low PSI, The main issue for tracking and rules is to make sure you get the correct harness belts. You must have a 5 or 6 point belt to be legal and have a camber lock not a regular seat belt clip. Check out the article JDM Sam posted.

As far as i know of Schroth is the only company that makes DOT approved racing harnesses. thats if you want to drive it on the street while useing them.

 

[Gobbracing]

you meant when no rollover protection is installed...

(not trying to be a dick, just making sure its clear)

You're right. My bad. Pardon my French. Lol!!
Don't ask me to answer that question late this saturday evening after the autox.(friday)

 

[i like speed]

Ok I know 4 and 5 point harnesseses can someone explain a 6 point?

 

[Gobbracing]

A five point harness has 1 anti-submarine lower belt.
A six point one has 2 and is more comfortable for our family jewels.