10 replies to this topic

[dw1]

Unlike wise old Mandarin and Retset, I haven't quite got there yet and am still struggling a bit with the double sheer thing.

http://www.vx220.org...s...20&start=20

I sounds like they are a good idea if you want to apply maximum safety as I am someone who errs on the side of caution. My limited understanding of them is that they give extra strength to avoid the lap belt harness sheering off in an accident - is that correct?

With the Reverie kit from MSAR do you just bolt it in as standard or do you need to do any drilling in the seat or subframe of the car?
Is it two brackets for one seat i.e. either side of the seat?
What happens with the passenger seat, do they do a kit for that od do you just use the single sheer and wish the passenger luck?

Cheers

[mandarinvx]

I have the kit, but haven't fitted it to the subframes yet (due to a lack of seats with harness holes - think I'll go down the DIY route for the time being!) You need one bracket for each seat, as the inbound side (ie where the buckle goes) already has double shear, the brackets are handed I'll prob fit the double shear bracket on the drivers side, and use the bolt kit on the pax side (I've already fitted the revised bolt to the pax side an it works fine ) They provide much more protection over standard, as the chance of failure is reduced - Lotus seats come with double shear mountings as standard The pax seat will be a bit tricky, as the mounting plate is welded on that side, I also don't know if the bolt holes are in the correct place yet, and may need to be re-drilled If you need pictures / dimensions give me a shout

[Retset]

I'm not that wise as I went without double shear on the outboard! Contrary to what I've read here, the 2 Elises I looked at (S2) both had the same arrangement we have - single shear on the outboard. Track day was imminent so I simply fitted both lap belts. Inboard, using the spring between, both can rotate fairly freely. On the outboard, the seat belt can rotate and the harness cannot - I just tightened the harness on me and then tightened the bolt - at least keeps the harness at the correct angle! Jen from MSAR can sell just the bracket bit of the Reverie kit for about £20. This would have the strength advantage and also allow fitting of the bolt kit so that both belts can rotate freely. I am intending to get this for the driver outboard as it looks like it just bolts on. My only reservation is the Sector 111 bolt kit. It was bad enough paying over £20 for 4 bits of plastic for my seat holes (looks good and works though ). I just can't bear to pay the same for a collection of nuts, washers and a bolt! I might have to though! Having worn my harnesses on track (very tight), I am pleased to stick to my original plan of harness for track and seatbelt for road.

[dw1]

I'm not that wise as I went without double shear on the outboard! Contrary to what I've read here, the 2 Elises I looked at (S2) both had the same arrangement we have - single shear on the outboard.

Track day was imminent so I simply fitted both lap belts. Inboard, using the spring between, both can rotate fairly freely. On the outboard, the seat belt can rotate and the harness cannot - I just tightened the harness on me and then tightened the bolt - at least keeps the harness at the correct angle!

Jen from MSAR can sell just the bracket bit of the Reverie kit for about £20. This would have the strength advantage and also allow fitting of the bolt kit so that both belts can rotate freely. I am intending to get this for the driver outboard as it looks like it just bolts on.

My only reservation is the Sector 111 bolt kit. It was bad enough paying over £20 for 4 bits of plastic for my seat holes (looks good and works though ). I just can't bear to pay the same for a collection of nuts, washers and a bolt! I might have to though!

Having worn my harnesses on track (very tight), I am pleased to stick to my original plan of harness for track and seatbelt for road.

hmm, so it looks like I need:
1 x Reverie Pair bracket bit (MSA £20ish) - does this cover the outboard of both the driver and passenger? What about the inboard, is that double sheer already or do I need something there?
1 x bolt kit http://www.msar-safe...;products_id=83 (MSAR £20)

Do I need anything else (its a Schroth harness I'll be using)?

Cheers

[Pidgeon]

On a standard 3 point belt, all the load from the lap belt and shoulder belt is applied to the standard buckle fitment, which is in single shear (i.e. the bolt is supported at one end) With a four point harness, the load is spread over one extra mounting and is more evenly distributed. Moving to a double shear fitment is laudable but overkill IMO.

[Retset]

I agree but it is difficult getting free rotation on seat belt and harness at the single shear end because as you tighten the nut, you squeeze everything together. Double shear would make it much easier, like the inboard already is. That's why I want to do it ...

[mandarinvx]

Yep, ideally you would order 1-off driver side double shear bracket and 1-off bolt kit Although, I tried to buy a single bolt from Lotus as the new bracket will require a longer one, but they said they would only sell it as part of a full seatbelt assembly - I haven't measured it up yet to see if I can get one the right length off the shelf from a fastener supplier (but UNF ranges are pretty limited now)

[dw1]

I agree but it is difficult getting free rotation on seat belt and harness at the single shear end because as you tighten the nut, you squeeze everything together. Double shear would make it much easier, like the inboard already is. That's why I want to do it ...

So does that mean the inboard is already double sheer as standard?

Yep, ideally you would order 1-off driver side double shear bracket and 1-off bolt kit


Although, I tried to buy a single bolt from Lotus as the new bracket will require a longer one, but they said they would only sell it as part of a full seatbelt assembly - I haven't measured it up yet to see if I can get one the right length off the shelf from a fastener supplier (but UNF ranges are pretty limited now)

Ok, so bolt kit and bracket set and that's me done for a further £40. Does that cover me for the passenger side as well?

I'm getting very excited as I've got my harness bar and harnesses at the weekend and they look luurvely sat in my study. I'm booked in to Frogman for the cutouts on Thursday so by the end of next week I have cuts in the seats and be all ready to go, can't wait. I think the cars look awesome with the full harness set, really sets its intention AND most importantly I can't wait to experience the function of the harnesses in action on a track. That sensation of being strapped into the car so that every movement is felt is such a great feeling. (Its late and I think I'm getting carried away ).

[mandarinvx]

Ok, so bolt kit and bracket set and that's me done for a further £40. Does that cover me for the passenger side as well?

Yep, the bolt kit will do the pax side, and the bracket for the drivers side - you'll have to source a longer bolt for the drivers side, and may need to re-drill the mounting points

[dw1]

To start with I think I'll not fit any extra kit - along the lines of Partridge. So am I right in thinking that if I don't go for the double sheer bracket I wont need to buy anything I can use the standard bolts to fit the harness?

[Retset]

It all fits with standard stuff but when you do up the outboard bolt, the lap belt angle will become fixed as it won't be able to rotate. The seatbelt on that side will still rotate though so it will be MOT friendly I hope ....