36 replies to this topic

[Thorney]

The main issue about them being road legal (I'd keep the inertia belts anyway) is that they must be push button release (not the rotary arm) so as emergency servcies know how to get them undone. I'm using the Safety equipment ones I had in my TTR, about £140 I think. Don't bother with 6 point, you never use it, 4 point is fine.

[paulb]

I am trying to get an answer from Safety Devices about the trim cutting. The guy who knows about the VX is under a car right now so can't be disturbed. They should be ringing me back with an answer shortly. Conrad's recolection is a 'small amount' of trim cutting. It may not be possible to do without and it may need access to some bolt holes that are covered by trim. I should get an answer later today but won't be on the internet again until next Tuesday (long weekend away!). Thorney, if I text you will you post the answer and try to keep this thread current whilst I am away (I have your number)? So far we have myself and garyk220 as definites and Thorney as a possible. Any other interest as we need to get to at least 5. Just realised that the prices I quoted are +VAT at 17.5%. You still in at that price Gary? Paul

[Thorney]

Put me in as a definite if we can sort trim cutting issues etc. Yeah, text me and I'll keep the thread going.

[stu harris1]

Just read the thread. We'll be looking at full FIA cage for the upcoming Turbo Sprint. There are a few probs tho as we can't meet full legality without going above the rear roof line As for the harnesses anyone is welcome to look at the current Sprint car to see where we fitted them in. Stu

[Ricky2772]

Stu, while there, can you shed some light about the rear-headrest metal frame......waht is it's purpose? the rollbar itself was not strong enough? tall people painfully hit the head against the hard plastic surround. I myself removed the plastic casing and will secure the 4-point harness shoulder straps to it.....at least there is some use of that vision-imparing, weight-adding, head-hurting thingie...

Edited by Ricky2772, 14 March 2003 - 09:51 AM.

[Ricky2772]

here is the naked rear headrest where I will bolt the harnesses.....still its true function puzzles me

Attached Files

•  rear_headrest.JPG   89.92KB   0 downloads

[garyk220]

So far we have myself and garyk220 as definites and Thorney as a possible. Any other interest as we need to get to at least 5.

Just realised that the prices I quoted are +VAT at 17.5%. You still in at that price Gary?

Sure Paul, stil count me in. Got to let the tax man have his pound of flesh

As you said, some minor trimming of the side panel will be inevitable, since it half covers the roll bar at the harness bar mounting point. It should only be an inch or two, and will be hidden behind the seat headrest, so I'm not too worried.

Paul, if you've got 3 definites(including me and you), count me in for sure.

Gary

Edited by garyk220, 14 March 2003 - 01:22 PM.

[minime]

me too!!

[Thorney]

Ricky, that headrest is just pressed steel, it won't be secure enough to attach harness's to. They must be attached to the frame of the vehicle or specially strengthened parts of the body (like seat belt points). What ever you attach it to must take 5x your own body weight in the event of a crash, that headrest would fold faster than superman on ironing day

[Dave T-S]

Re crash loadings, for 5xbody weight in the event of a crash, read 1 tonne DON'T mount harnesses on to sheet metal unless it is stressed for belt mounts!

[Ricky2772]

guys, I don't know if you ever looked at that part, but that is 5mm THICK steel, not just a sheet.....my idea is to secure the harnesses by the top holes, right below the bar.... I will resort to a bar if difficulties arise of course!

[Thorney]

Seriously mate, don't do it. Doesn't matter how thick it is IT WON'T take your weight in the event of a crash. I maybe wrong but its your life you're playing with. I'll ask Vauxhall to confirm to make sure but pretty sure they'll confirm it. If its fine then I'm wrong, but better safe than sure yeah? Also the point you're looking to attach the harness to is too high, 4 points need to be attached within a very specific angle of the shoulder, to high and they can break your collar bone too low and you can submarine under - the instructions to fit the safety equipments ones are 5 pages long! Sorry to sound like an old nanny but if you get this wrong you could end up badly injured.

[Dave T-S]

I can only echo Thorney's comments. I have fitted harnesses in two cars, one with FIA spec race seats, and it is NOT something to be treated lightly. Not being morbid, but you have to look at the worse case scenario - a bad impact - the belt loadings in the event of a serious accident are massive and can easily rip the mounts clean off the chassis if not mounted securely. Strap mounting positions are also very important as mentioned. A human body takes on the weight of around one tonne, i.e. more than the weight of a VX220 in an accident. Take the advice of people like Safety Devices who know their stuff! On a lighter note, we're off to drive a VX220 turbo at 11.30, if we like it anyone want to buy a 310bhp Prodrived Impreza STi?!

[Thorney]

Ah, another ex scooby owner I still miss my P1

[Ricky2772]

Also the point you're looking to attach the harness to is too high, 4 points need to be attached within a very specific angle of the shoulder, to high and they can break your collar bone

well, I guess you guys are damn right.....
I'll go for the bar route, a friend of mine installed a Sparco kit on his Elise....
will ask him....
thanks for the advice!

[Ricky2772]

did you see this pic ?
http://www.sport190.com/showpic.asp

the bar behind is bolted to the rollbar, where the stock belt is...
the passenger set-up would be plenty good for my needs, road+track use....

[Dave T-S]

Thorney My wife and I have had six Imprezas between us - probably a record - two MY00's, two heavily modded MY01's, and two MY02 STi Type UK's - but have got bored with the whole Impreza thing Now we are commuting together, no justification for having two STi's, so Carolyn's STi has gone to be replaced with a Seat Leon 20VT Cupra for us to use as a station car, and I fancy something different so after the test drive will almost certainly go for the VX220 turbo

Edited by Dave T-S, 15 March 2003 - 10:07 PM.