panda

i was wondering if anyone has tryed/experimented with a crossbar in the back yet, so that harnesses can be attached safely, i am fortunate that i am able to get any kind of bar custom made and welded etc.... as long as i specify what kind of metal i want and obviousley all the specifications of exactly how long/width etc.... that i need....but im not experienced enough to do this.....has anyone else having one made/thinking about it etc....
whats yalls thoughts??

andrew

pete325is

I couldn't figure out the best way to install a roll bar in the 8 either, unless you give up the access to the rear and make the whole suicide door set up looks stupid!

Speed Racer

Two ideas have come to mind but I don't know if they are feasible.

1. Weld in a crossbar between the C-pillars and use belts with clip-on attachments. This would provide a mount at the right height but it is probably too far back to be a safe place to mount the harness.

2. Weld brackets to the virtual B-pillar in the suicide doors and then attach a removeable crossbar for track days. The placement would be correct for mounting a harness but I don't know if it would be strong enough to support the belts in an accident.

eccles

If you get the right sort of belts (read: non-extensible), then there's no harm in mounting the shoulder straps further back as long as they're at about the same height as your shoulders. So the first option would be perfectly acceptable given high-quality webbing.

pete325is

>1. Weld in a crossbar between the C-pillars and use belts with >clip-on attachments.
That sounds good except I don't think anyone make a harness so long as it won't be safe!

Until someone come up with an ingenious and elegant way of doing this, the 8 will be off my list.

Speed Racer

After a bit of hunting I did find some longer belts from Schroth that are even DOT approved when attached to the C-pillar. So it can be done, it just won't look very refined.

B-Nez

What about using the child seat anchor points to anchor a harness?

Speed Racer

I thought about that too but was told by a local shop that the anchor points were not rugged enough to support the weight of an adult in an accident.

pete325is

FYI, the following is the response I got from one of the dealers who sold Schroth harness.

======================
Just an FYI, for track use, I don't really recommend
the use of a harness...unless you have rollover
protection in the car, and possibly a race seat.
Without rollover protection, the use of a harness
could be dangerous if you were to roll the car. Your
factory seat belts are your best bet for track use.

Thats why we generally only recommend the use of the
Schroth Rallye belts for autocrossing, since the
chance of a rollover is very small. On the track, the
odds go up.

Since that is a brand new car, I doubt you are ready
to put a rollbar/cage and race seats in it, but if you
do, then you could go with a 3" competition harness
from G Force, Sparco, or Schroth. The 2" belts like
the Schroth Rallye series, are best used for autocross
only, at least IMHO.

Speed Racer

pete325is,
Your right, the car is brand new and I really don't want to gut the interior to install a full roll cage but I do want to be more secure in the seat on track days.

Another intermediate option that I came across was CG-Lock. You use it to cinch down on the lap portion of your stock seat belts to keep your butt planted in the seat. It is definitely a compromise but it doesn't introduce any new safety hazards like the Schroth Rallye belts and may be a viable option until someone figures out the best way to safely mount a harness in this car.

Foureagles

Speed:

I'm pretty sure that you can get something very much like that CG-Lock at a baby store for a lot less than forty bucks.

{{{{

Speed Racer

Foureagles,
Interesting, do you own something similar to the CG-Lock that you use with your kids?

If you can't tell I don't have kids.

syntrix

OMG, if you are running the stock seat belt, here's a free tip.

Recline the back of the seat 2-3 clicks

Put on seat belt, pull tight.

Then pull fast to lock seat belt.

Lean forward as much as possible and return seat to original postion.

Belt is now locked, and won't go anywhere.

I've done this on track days, and no problems at all!

I'll be running full suspension and slicks at the next event in January, so I'll be able to report if the stock belts are adequate at that high of a level.

pete325is

>I'll be running full suspension and slicks at the next event in >January.......

Are u running the RX-8 or some other car?

syntrix

The RX8. Isn't it obvious, hence the name of this forum

pete325is

>I'll be running full suspension ......
Then what do u mean by full suspension?? Are you upgrading your stock suspension to aftermarket parts?
And which track you're going to btw?

syntrix

YES, aftermarket coilovers.

Buttonwillow in Jan.

pete325is

No Mazdaspeed suspension parts? So what brand of coilovers are you buying?

waldo

Here is what I would do if I had to install harnesses

I would go and buy this

http://www.ogracing.com/eshop/itemde...47&showbrake=1

Remove the rear seat bottom cushion, drill holes in a good location and attach this mounting hardware.

The good you will have harnesses that will keep you in place, the bad you better never roll over or you will be even more seriously injured than you ever thought.

I did more than 100 driving schools in the South East and some northern tracks. I know exactly that harnesses do help keep you in place but I do want to tell you that if you reach a certain speed where you really need them than you might as well buy yourself a racecar and stop messing with your road car. I have seen too many people make that mistake. It is fun to enjoy your RX8 or any other road car to a certain level, if you get to the advance group or you allready are look yourself around and see the other cars, all of them are dedicated track cars, they have rollbars or better, R tires, and money invested in them. So my whole BS speech that people are more than welcome to flame on is live the car alone. Save your money and buy yourself an SCCA driving school or 2. Did you know that for 1100 to 1500 dollars you can rent a spec miata for a week end and actually go racing. There you will learn more in one day than in 10 driving school with PCA or BMW or whatever club you do up north.

syntrix

JIC FLTA2's. They arrived today, should be on the car later tonight.

I'll be sure to take plenty of pics