Harness Question

[Conechaser]

I know this has been asked before, but I couldn't find the post when I did a search for it. I'm getting ready to order 2 5pnt Harnesses for my car (yes I'm getting a rollbar as well ) But I couldn't remember which was the better to have, pull up or pull down straps

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[smokin rubber]

up for the lab belts, down for the shoulder.

[Conechaser]

hrm, it just says "5pt. Individual Shoulder Set Pull Down W/Ends"

They are the G-Force belts at Racerwholesale for reference

[Drew M]

The way it was explained to me is that ALL shoulder belts are pull-downs. The variation is in the lap belts. Pull-down usually requires someone assisting you whereas you can probably get the pull-up pretty tight by yourself.

[SiRex91]

What's the best value for a 5 point 3" camlock harness? Right now I'm looking at G-Force, RCI, and Crow Enterprizes.


[Modified by SiRex91, 8:14 PM 11/21/2002]

[.RJ]

2 simpson camlocks (3", SFI) with mounting tabs $353 from OG racing

[SUPERAUTOBACS]

Personally, i wouldn't cheap out on safety items. Ur seatbelt/harness is probably THE most important of all safety equipments. Spend the money. It may very well be worth it. Sparco, Sabelt, Willans are the best u can get.

[Raz1983]

are the simpsons, g-force, etc FIA approved? i think i remember that the simpsons were fia approved, but dont know about the rest.

[JeffS]

Simpson and G-force are both SFI approved.

Cheaper doesn't always mean cheaply made. That said, I bought the Sparco's because they weren't much more money, and the blue color makes me faster.

[Drew M]

Personally, i wouldn't cheap out on safety items. Ur seatbelt/harness is probably THE most important of all safety equipments. Spend the money. It may very well be worth it. Sparco, Sabelt, Willans are the best u can get.

Nope - not at all the most important piece of safety equipment. Hell - it is a performance item in an autocross car.

There is NO piece of equipment more important for any kind of motorsports application than your helmet.


Drew - Who has MUCH less of a problem with "where can I get a cheap harness" posts than he does for "where can I get a cheap helmet" ones

[SUPERAUTOBACS]

There is NO piece of equipment more important for any kind of motorsports application than your helmet.


Drew - Who has MUCH less of a problem with "where can I get a cheap harness" posts than he does for "where can I get a cheap helmet" ones

Yes ofcourse, the helmet is THE most important safety equipment that one should not cheap out on when deciding to participate in motorsport activities.

[SiRex91]

All of the ones I listed are SFI approved. Right now I'm particularly looking at Crow Enterprizes and RCI.

[NammyBoy]

I am looking for a new helmet. Got any recommendations? Though I don't want to skimp on the safety equipment, I don't want to spend $1200 for high-tech integrated radio and AC equipped helmet. I think a simple SA2000 rating will do... I prefer open face...

Oh, and oops, didn't meant to whore your thread. Sabelt's aren't being made anymore, as far as I know. Sparco only now. They aren't too expensive. That being said, I bought Sabelt 6-Point 3" Camlock harnesses from Racer Wholesale for $130 and they are of very good quality. I think the 2" is junk... my friend has the Sparco 4-Point bolt in and it's like a toy.

However, if you want some cheap harnesses...

http://discoveryparts.com/cgi-bin/st...=9889596.62038

~Nam


[Modified by NammyBoy, 7:23 AM 11/22/2002]


[Modified by NammyBoy, 7:25 AM 11/22/2002]

[kHoA DoGG]

are 4pt A.belt harnesses any good? Going in my gutted crx with a 4pt rollbar.

[.RJ]

no, you need 5 (or 6) point belts, however keep the OE belts for street use

[Crack Monkey]

Sabelt's aren't being made anymore, as far as I know. Sparco only now.

Sabelt makes the harnesses for Sparco. The back of the buckle on my Sparco 5pt says Sabelt.

[Brett@SoloRacer.com]

Sabelt's aren't being made anymore, as far as I know. Sparco only now.

Sabelt makes the harnesses for Sparco. The back of the buckle on my Sparco 5pt says Sabelt.

I think you can still get Sabelt belts at places like Primm Racing. They are FIA approved, and quite a bit more expensive than the infamous Sabelts that RW used to sell so cheap. And there's a reason those were so cheap. I heard they were refurb'd Sabelt camlock mechanisms webbed with inexpensive webbing - I doubt they carried the FIA approval that the real belts do. Put a pair of them next to real (and more expensive) Sabelt belts and you'll notice the difference right away.



[Modified by Brett@SoloRacer.com, 5:46 AM 11/22/2002]

[jc836]

NammyBoy-take a look at the Bell MAG4 or 5 for the standard in open face helmets. The MAG4 is what I use and it is a perfect fit for my head. I also have the radio stuff on it ala-Winston Cup-no problems. Simpson has one in the same price class (~$220) I think. The differences between the 2 brands is technical but they are both SA2000.

As to harnesses. I have the Simpson set from OG Racing. Nice setup, but I prefer the old Latch style unit-so while in Charlotte next week will get that from Team Simpson. For those that don't know-Crow is also highly respected by NASCAR teams and is available from Ultra Performance and other suppliers. M&R has belts, window nets, etc and caters to most forms of motorsports.
I will strongly urge that you make sure that the date code is very current on the set that you buy. The SFI and FIA tagging should be on them as well. Another thing-If you are unsure about the mounting you will actually use-buy the wrap around harness and all of the adaptors. This is also true for the blets-there are 2 different ways to bolt the belts into the floor pan.
Now to pull-up/pull-down--the harness is pull down and the belt, for convenience should be pull up.

[NammyBoy]

How can I tell if my belt is FIA approved or not? Does that mean it'll fall apart in the event of a crash? I thought all Sabelts were of good quality?

Thanks for the helmet recommendation, too. I was looking at the Mag4, and I really like that style. Again, the cheapest price I found was from Racer Wholesale... but if that place has a reputation to put out bad goods, I'd rather pay the extra $40 bucks...

http://www.racerwholesale.com/Mercha...Racing+Helmets

~Nam


[Modified by NammyBoy, 5:26 PM 11/22/2002]

[Brett@SoloRacer.com]

I have no actual proof of what I said about the Sabelts from RW, but it is what I was told by a supplier. I always wondered how they could sell Sabelts for less than 1/2 of what they are being sold for elsewhere. Real FIA approved Sabelt 3" camlock harnesses are normally around $200 each, maybe slightly more. And from what I was told, the webbing is definitely different when you compare the RW Sabelts to others.

As for FIA approval, I dont think you need that rating for most racing series here in the US...but check your rules to be sure. Schroth and Willans are two harness manufacturers that offer several FIA approved harnesses. I could be wrong, but harnesses from Simspon, Crow, etc have SFI approval, which is what is required by most US racing series.



[Modified by Brett@SoloRacer.com, 10:04 AM 11/22/2002]

[jc836]

Bell is Bell and if you get yours from Helmet City as I do-you will get a current unit with current date tags. As for the Harness and belts-each will have a tag sewn on it with the approvals and date codes. I work with suppliers that are well known and have NEVER had a bad product from them. OG Racing, Ultra Performance, Team Simpson (either Charlotte area store), M&R and Helmet City have all made sure to deliver first rate quality merchandise to me. Generally you will find that the suppliers that advertise in Sports Car, Stock Car Racing (etc) and GRM are the top of the pile in the business.

So far as I know-you best have the FIA/SFI tags on your harness, helmet, window net, etc for MOST major series in the USA.
I will not say that a manufacturer cannot make mistakes, but in this business it is extremely rare. I cannot say for certain that one brand of harness is better than another as to the webbing and either camlocks or latches. I do know that the quality of the pieces is foremost in the big names quality programs. Sabelt and Willans are well known brands. I happen to prefer Simpson-it is a proven product for our type of car.

What I would be curious to learn is whether all of the belt makers use webbing from the same supplier(s). That could prove very intereting. I do know that there is only 1 source for Nomex thread-DuPont has licensed distributors.

Enjoy the ride.


[Modified by jc836, 1:16 PM 11/22/2002]

[VTECAcuraGSR]

Whats the difference between H-type and individual? Anyone better than the other?

[Raz1983]

How can I tell if my belt is FIA approved or not? Does that mean it'll fall apart in the event of a crash? I thought all Sabelts were of good quality?

Thanks for the helmet recommendation, too. I was looking at the Mag4, and I really like that style. Again, the cheapest price I found was from Racer Wholesale... but if that place has a reputation to put out bad goods, I'd rather pay the extra $40 bucks...

http://www.racerwholesale.com/Mercha...Racing+Helmets

~Nam


[Modified by NammyBoy, 5:26 PM 11/22/2002]

I know nothing about the SFI, but i remember the sabelt is FIA approved


[Modified by Raz1983, 11:54 PM 11/22/2002]

[SUPERAUTOBACS]

How can I tell if my belt is FIA approved or not? Does that mean it'll fall apart in the event of a crash? ~Nam


[Modified by NammyBoy, 5:26 PM 11/22/2002]


I know nothing about the SFI, but i remember the sabelt is FIA approved


[Modified by Raz1983, 11:54 PM 11/22/2002]

If u buy a harness, check that each belt has a tag which specifies its production date and expirery date. As far as i know, if it is FIA approved it will meet or exceed SFI ratings.

[VTECAcuraGSR]

Why are the G force belts from Discovery Motorsports cheaper than Racer Wholesale? Isn't RPW like the cheapest of anyhting? I wonder if there is something wrong?