Mounting for 4 point seat belt

[Martiny]

Hi All

I am doing a track session at Castle Coombe on Saturday. I have a 4 point seat belt lying around that I want to fit.

However, it needs eye bolts to replace the standard seat belt bolts. Does anyone know where I can get these?  (Apart from Chris Wilson)

Many thanks

[Glenn Butcher]

Hi Martin,

Have you tried: http://www.grandpri.com/cgi-bin/grandpri.storefront ?

Or order from http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/

[MikeLMR]

http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/

http://www.peterlloydrallying.co.uk/

http://www.ears.co.uk/index1.htm

http://rallyspares.tripod.com/

basically anywhere but Expensive Tweeks

[Martiny]

Thanks, Mike, got them from Merlin.

Now, I hope they come tomorrow, so I can fit my seatbelt before Saturday!

[FDRZRich]

Martin,
did you fit the harness in the end? Where did you mount the shoulder straps, I take it you haven\'t got a roll cage fitted? Was thinking about getting some to go with my recaros, but wasn\'t sure how much work was involved in fitting them? Are they safe to use without a rollcage do you know?

[Martiny]

Rich

Heres what I did:

Ok, my belt has actually got 4 belts, but 3 mounting points, if you see what I mean.

On the right hand side, on the floor, I used the standard mounting point, and even left the inertia reel seatbelt in place.

For the rear, I used the upper right hand passenger seat belt mounting. The belt comes straight through the hole in the headrest. I dont think all cars have this type of seat. Mine is a Jap type "R".

Now, for the left I had a bit of a dilemma. The standard seat belt mounts on the seat, and I could not see how it was mounted. So , I unbolted one of bolts for the seat in the rear passenger floor, and replaced it with the eyebolt.  It works fine, and I can still use the standard belt if I choose.

Also, it will be about 15 mins to remove it again.

I cannot see any issues with using it without a rollbar???

Feel free to ask more here, email more, or call me!

[FDRZRich]

Sounds like a plan, I\'d heard people going on about mounting the shoulder straps to a fixed fabricated mounting point further back into the boot, involving using a backing plate on the onderside to attach the eyebolt. Lots of work! Did think about using the rear seatbelt mount, seeing as I just have the storage bins.

As for the safety part- didn\'t know whether it has to MOT/VI approved install?  
I\'ve also heard on the US forum about using a harness without a roll bar and the fact that you are held upright in the event of a roll over, which could be dangerous, rather than moving sideways if the roof was crushed?  But then again, Ferraris etc have harnesses without cages don\'t they?!

How much of an angle is there on the shoulder strap between the back of the seat and the seatbelt mount? Ie from a left to right perspective, not up/down.

[Martiny]

Much more angle if I had used the floor of the rear seat belt mount.

I did think about using the centre rear seat belt mount for the left waist belt mounting, but the transmission tunnel is very high compared to the seat.

Dose you seat have hole in the headrest?  Some said once that the RZ has a special hole specifically for a rear mount shoulder strap.

The angle I suppose is about 20 degrees. Just visualise the line from the top rear seat belt tothe midle of the seat.

I did not notice any discomfort, apart from being slightly embarassed because some punters laughed at me because I had my 4 point belt, driving overalls, gloves, and a fire proof balaclava. Whats wrong with maximising safety?

[Fish]

Rich, having seen the pictures of an FD that that rolled the other weekend out in the US, I would say that the sheel is very strong, and the driver/pass. will be OK unless it\'s very bad. Will find the link later with pictures of the rolled car.

The UK model FD did not have an opening for the belts to pass though. This is a same on my part as I have had to swap from a nice leather seat to a bucket, to get the belts working.

I will be looking at either using my Cusco rear brace or welding on some plates that can hold the eye-lets for the belts.

I personally prefer the 4 point Sablet harness that I have, as it gives more feedback as to what the car is doing. Although saying that the FD gives very good feedback anyway.

Dan

[Martiny]

Pity about the seat. Maybe Jimmys/Tim could get you a set of "R" or "RZ" seats.

[FDRZRich]

I\'ve got recaros in mine so the straps can go through the holes in the back of the seat!! I think I will look into getting some as even with the seats you still move around a bit \'cos they are not really deep.  But at least I can get in and out of it fairly easily!

Just looking at pic of my car- you reckon they straps will attach to the rear upper mount points?

[Martiny]

mmm...

My belt has ONE strap that mounts on the upper rear passenger mount. This belt splits into 2 just before the seat.

Therefore, I only need 3 mounting points, although its a 4 strap belt.

Do you need 4 mounting pints or 3?

Either way, I think you\'ll be fine.

[J4P RX]

Where did you get the seats from, how much and were subframes a problem?

This is something I really want to do.

Cheers
Lee

[FDRZRich]

The seats were already in it as its a special edition, but there are other people who have fitted them.

Martin;
Just been looking and my rear panels havent got holes in them to access the rear seatbelt mounts, cos mine has got the storage bins instead of rear seats.  So there goes that theory then!! Thought it all sounded too easy!! :rolleyes:

Cheers for the help though, might see if I can think of some other way of fitting them.

Rich B

[Fish]

Rich, I have seen on a US site a rear rollbar that has the eye bolts in it, so that you can just clip the harness to that. Shouldnt be that had to either buy, or make.

Dan