Harness and mounting queries

[itsnotagsr]

A while back I bought a 6 point Sparco harness on sale. Finally looking at installing it. I noticed that the new cams rules mean that the angle has to be flat or at a 20deg decline. Previously I had my 4 pt mounted to the floor behind my seat, so a greater angle.

My questions are:
1. can you convert a 6 pt to a 4pt? The crotch stap on my harness is fixed to the central buckle. Is it ok to have this loose and just use the other straps? I don't want to rip apart my recaro to mount the crotch strap.

2. Can I mount the rear bolts to the parcel shelf? Can I just use plates to mount the bolts to? I know I can't just screw the bolt into the parcel shelf itself. Or should I just mount it to wear the back part rear seat goes (this is fixed in my car - ie doesn't fold forward).

[Dave75]

Mounting the Shoulder Harness to the floor directly behind the seat is the best way to compress your spine in an accident.

Shoulder Harness is supposed to pull you back INTO the seat, the Lap belt holds you IN the seat [adjusted correctly.]

A Schrothe Harness with ASM will stop you submarining under the lap belt.

[itsnotagsr]

Mounting the Shoulder Harness to the floor directly behind the seat is the best way to compress your spine in an accident.

Shoulder Harness is supposed to pull you back INTO the seat, the Lap belt holds you IN the seat [adjusted correctly.]
A Schrothe Harness with ASM will stop you submarining under the lap belt.

Thanks Dave.

Which is why I'm moving the mounting point. See question 2.

I already have a Sparco / Schroth harness - see question 1.

[PHULL]

refer to your cams Manual it will require a backup plate it will give you the minimum dimentions for the required plate, or you could buy if from a good race shop.

Installing in the parcell shelf is a good idea. on the proviso that the parcell shelf is welded to the car structure

[Dave75]

I think you are a bit confused as to what an ASM [Anti Submarine Mechanism ] is.

It has nothing to do with a Crotch strap [which will squash your Family Jewels in a big accident]
[A 6 point ..double crotch strap will probably completely de-ball you ]
Schrothe [sp] is the manufacturer... not another name for a crutch strap, although a crutch strap does basically the same thing.

If you have never heard of it ...try Google.

[itsnotagsr]

I think you are a bit confused as to what an ASM [Anti Submarine Mechanism ] is.

It has nothing to do with a Crotch strap [which will squash your Family Jewels in a big accident]

Schrothe [sp] is the manufacturer... not another name for a crutch strap, although a crutch strap does basically the same thing.

If you have never heard of it ...try Google.

Dave - I know what an ASM and Schroth are. I think you are suggesting I buy a new belt when I'm telling you I already have a nice 6pt Sparco/Schroth one. I'm wondering if I can just not bolt in the crotch straps and use my 6pt as a 4pt. I understand your point about the benefit of the ASM though.

refer to your cams Manual it will require a backup plate it will give you the minimum dimentions for the required plate, or you could buy if from a good race shop.

Installing in the parcell shelf is a good idea. on the proviso that the parcell shelf is welded to the car structure

Cheers. Yes parcel shelf is welded in. I did laugh at the though of bolting it onto a traditional hatchback mdf parcel shelf though!

[Uncle Arthur]

Is it possible to remove the crotch straps permanently? Even cut them off/unlatch them where they join on the buckle? Having them hang loose does not seem to be a good idea.

[itsnotagsr]

Is it possible to remove the crotch straps permanently? Even cut them off/unlatch them where they join on the buckle? Having them hang loose does not seem to be a good idea.

No as this part seems to be permanently connected to the swivel bucket.

Just reading through the cams manual. I'm a bit confused about how long you can keep your harnesses and the webbing. From memory my harness has a date on it. Is that the manufacture date or use by date? Page 2 of the relevant cams manual notes says that for non-international events (just a AASA event in my case) you can use them 5 years after. But then the manual says "within two years of manufacture shown on the SFI label, you need to send them back to the manufacturer for re-webbing". So whats the right date? Is this relevent for an AASA event? Or just a normal Wakefield track day?

[rowdytoot]

is it an SFI or FIA belt? it'll be obvious from the lable. if FIA, it's a used by date, and you can go 5 years longer than that... if it's SFI and it's over 2 years old, just throw it in the bin (cheaper to get a new FIA belt one than get an SFI belt rewebbed)
re: AASA.wakefield- I have NFI...

[itsnotagsr]

Thanks Rowds. Will look at the label when I get home.