Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2000 18:55:15 -0400 From: Mike Whitney Subject: Re: [uuc] Harness Questions Lou, Having just gone through the harness purchase/install myself, let me give you my thoughts: I would personally not run a harness without a rollbar on track. Frankly, I wouldn't drive on track without a rollbar. I have had instructors with E30 cars that did the harness-to-seatbelt thing. I looked at the steep angle of the shoulder belts and thought about two things: The possibility of spinal compression with that steep of an angle, and how loose those straps could get if in a barrel roll. Before deciding on any setup, think HARD to yourself, "If I'm going through a 100 MPH corner at 9/10ths, blow a tire and roll the car 10 times, will this setup keep me in place and not hurt me further?" With that said, my list of compromises best-to-worst would be: 1. Rollcage w/ 5-point harnesses 2. Rollbar w/ 5-point harnesses (what I run, installed after my first track event) 3. A STURDY harness bar and 5-points 4. 5-points to eye hooks on the back deck, with a "H" strap behind the headrests 5. 5-points to rear seatbelts 6. 4-point belts in any configuration 6. Stock seatbelt This is all my novice, unprofessional opinion. Buy an Autopower rollbar (from IO Port Racing) with the removeable crossbrace, and you retain (some) rear seat functionality. Don't forget to get one for the passenger as well :) I know you're not planning on flipping the car, but that's why we call them "accidents" :) Good luck! Mike. Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2000 17:39:38 -0600 From: Bob Sutterfield Subject: [uuc] Re: Harness Questions JMonnot918@aol.com (Lou M.) wrote: > I am getting some confusing "facts" on 4/5 point > harness's and the different setups I have seen at > some drivers schools. The different kinds of setups > include: One arrangement you didn't mention: 5) Shoulder harnesses latch to a belt that runs between the stock rear seat lap belt anchors. It makes an "X" behind the driver's back. This is how the Schroth Rallye 4 goes into an E30 and others. I got mine from HMS Motorsport http://www.hmsmotorsport.com Unlatch the center of the "X", and the lap and shoulder belts lift over the head rest and tuck under the seat. The belt between the bolts in back just sits on the rear seat. If you carry passengers back there, lift the seat cushion and tuck the belt underneath. - -- Bob Sutterfield '87 E30 325iS BMWCCA #169277 Rocky Mountain Chapter