33 replies to this topic

[speedyK]

Are you sure you're not worrying about nothing here?

No, I'm not sure!

That's the the reason for my asking. Having looked into it a bit, I'm really not sure...

Wouldn't want to get something that did give me a "surprise"...

[speedyK]

hey K,
you can always retain the standard belts, like I did, and buckle'em up ON TOP of the others....that would make you safer than fort knox....

Still wouldn't have any anti-submarine effect though...

Question, as barrybethel says, is how much of an issue it is. Wonder how effective the standard seat is with anti-sub properties. I know loads of cars are not good, exceptions being Volvo and Renault. Somehow doubt if it's been paid much attention by Lotus /GM.

Going to do some further research before deciding what to do wrt harnesses as I don't want something that ain't right.

[Thorney]

Sensible approach. For the record I won't fit a harness bar and harness's until I have seats with cutouts. Thats not to say the standard seat isn't strong enough because it is (we use the standard seat in the GT car, although it has been adapted with cutouts put in and re-trimmed.) IMO the Tollbar Racing bars looks good (I've yet to out it n but I've got one to try and test) and combined with cutout seats looks to be a good solution. When the seats go in I'll report back.

[barrybethel]

John Does the GT car have a hole cut out of the seat bottom for the anti-submarining straps to pass through? If so where and how do they mount to the car? I have the straps for my harness at home. I'm not using them at present but I would like to ideally. Cheers Dean

[clipping_point]

you can always retain the standard belts, like I did, and buckle'em up ON TOP of the others....that would make you safer than fort knox....

You actually run double seat belts....I would think you rather throw out ALL seat belts in order to save weight!

[garyk220]

Lotus fit the Schroth 4pt belts (distributed by Safety Devices in the UK) with anti-submarine feature. I've also got a 2pt crutch strap, which I'm planning to fit for track use. The Corbeau seat has a cut-out already. I'll bolt it to the floor, and use a plate to strengthen the floorpan. My 4pt belts feel pretty secure. And if fastened correctly will be no more likely to cause submarining than the standard belts.

[speedyK]

The Corbeau seat has a cut-out already. I'll bolt it to the floor, and use a plate to strengthen the floorpan.

Gary,

A couple of q's:

Which model Corbeau do you have? Special narrow Caterham/Elise/VX version? Did you use a Corbeau mounting frame? Does it remain as low as the original? Piccies?

Very keen to see pics of your strengthening plate and fitting of the 2-points when you get round to it – certainly seems the way to go.

[garyk220]

Keith, it is the Elise Motorsport one, fitted as an option to the Sport 190. I posted piccies in November last year... try searching for Corbeau. The seat is a little lower than standard... possibly an inch or so. Hopefully get the 2pt strap fitted for Hockenheim.

[speedyK]

Hopefully get the 2pt strap fitted for Hockenheim.

Found them, Gary.

Won't you need a cut-out in the seat squab too for the 2-points?

Look forward to seeing your set-up at Hockenheim

Edit to say I see the VXR has the squab cut-outs.

Edited by speedyK, 10 May 2004 - 11:00 AM.

[speedyK]

The guy with the German harness bar has had cut-outs made in his standard seat.

I think the problem is that the bar is too high, going straight across from the mounting point on one side to that on the other. This means that the cut-outs are also quite high to take a direct route for the belts to the bar.

Why can't someone make a bar that bolts on at the standard point but on brackets angled down so that the bar crosses 3–4" lower than this one? Then the shoulder straps would hold you into the seat properly under bumpy conditions or in a roll.

Attached Files

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Edited by speedyK, 15 May 2004 - 08:46 PM.

[Ricky2772]

Why can't someone make a bar that bolts on at the standard point [i]but on brackets angled down

that is how I had mine manifactured.
that thing above is mental... you have the straps running next to your jugular veins!!

Edited by Ricky2772, 15 May 2004 - 09:17 PM.

[WoodenDummy]

Why can't someone make a bar that bolts on at the standard point [i]but on brackets angled down

that is how I had mine manifactured.
that thing above is mental... you have the straps running next to your jugular veins!!

Yeah I don't think the standard seats where really made for this.

It amazes me how people wanna put there life's in the hands of something like this!

[paulb]

I went through all this when I had mine fitted. It's why I decided to go the Lotus approach and with proper seats with harnesses that sat on the shoulders. The harnesses shouldn't touch the seat itself and be clear through the cutouts. Otherwise, there is the risk of bending the seat in crash conditions.

[speedyK]

Another pic

Attached Files

•  cutouts_2.jpg   69.16KB   0 downloads