question about seatbelt harness

[Dreco]

I have a 240Z that I use for open track. I wanted to install a 4 point harness. I recently aquired a Corbeau Forza seat. I don't have a roll cage. Where are the best mounting points?? Do I just bolt to the existing seat belt mounting points?? (the 2 behind the seat) Or do I bolt the 2 lap points there, and the 2 shoulder points somewhere else?? anyone have pictures for examples?? Most of the Z's i've seen with harnesses have them attached to a roll cage.

thanks

[240ZX]

Dreco,

Here's what I've done on my 240. I've attached the shoulder belts, drivers side and passenger side, to one of the three bolts that secures the top of each rear strut towers. It's in a very good location directly behind each seat and is a very secure attachment. You may have to increase the length of the bolt slightly. Be sure to use bolts of appropriate strenght....no cheap hardware for safety equipment!!!

[DocBombay]

Hi Dave,

Many will say not to use the 4/5 point until you get the cage in. It is actuallly more dangerous in rollover.

Call me and get your weld-in cage from Rick Freeman (at Rebello).

I see you are buddies with Royce. Saw you on his sight.

Aanand

[Dreco]

Yeah, I met Royce out at Sears Point a couple of years ago. A friend of mine had to meet up with him there to buy some Z parts. I rode along with him for a few laps in his Cortina. Well, my seat belt seems to fit pretty well (shoulder strap fits better), and everything I've read about the subject points to getting a cage first, so I'll probably be giving you a call Aanand. Probably won't be able to afford one until mid Jan.(christmas and all).

[240ZX]

Aanand,

Regarding the bolt-in rollcage from Rick Freeman @ Rebello, can you post a couple of pics of the cage? I'm would be interested in one. I'm mostly concerned with the attach points to the chassis. Most of the rollbars I've seen (Autopower) attach to the fender well sheetmetal. This never made much sense to me. Thanks in advance!!!

Tom

[DocBombay]

Rick will build to whatever specs you can run. I will take some pics later this week. You can reach Rick at Rebello Racing Engines.

[hmsports]

What are they charging for a u-weld cage kit?

[240ZX]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

To be a little more specific on what I am hoping for would be as follows: Main hoop to attach behind the seats on the beefy part of the pan, Rear diagonal support from the main hoop down to the strut towers, a cross support between the two diagonal supports (tower to tower), and a diagonal support from the main hoop (drivers side) down to the main hoop attach point (passenger side).

As I understand it, besides rollover protection, this setup will reduce the rear chassis flex that typically causes the classic "C" pillar cracks.

I'm quessing that if an assembled one was shown in a nice color picture, they might sell quite well. I know I would be sending off a check for one.

Thanks again Aanand

[2ManyZs]

One of the guys who bought my old ITS 280 is a Tech inspector, and there is a rumor that in the near future, all cars will be required to have the "Nascar" type door bars or their equivalent. At least in the higher SCCA classes, perhaps starting with IT...

So, I would recommend looking into cage kits which have the main hoop mounting to the floor and not the fender wells, such as the Autopower roll bars do. It would make it nearly impossible to put multiple door bars with the main hoop mounted on the fender well, or at least very difficult and expensive as they would have to be fabricated.

Another option besides Rebello and Autopower is Kirk Racing Poducts. I've heard that his prices are quite reasonable, and the cages quite well made for a weld in cage kit. I've talked to a couple people who have his cages, and seen a few, they do look pretty well made. And for a price under 700 or so(shipping not included), they are a decent alternative, and they can build it any way you desire.

The only other option is custom bent and fabricated cages, which will cost more, yet be even safer.

[hmsports]

Maybe I'll make patterns from my cage when I build it next month so I can custom make some weld-in kits for you guys. They would include excellent triangulation for the rear and NASCAR© bars.

$650 plus shipping. Also, $50 from each sale could go to Mike for site upkeep.

Thoughts?

[2ManyZs]

I think you know I'd take one, but until I get the chassis straightened.. well, too many projects, too little money.....:disappoin

[1975yellowBSPZ]

Although I would agree that having the cage is necessary for an open track car, and likey for any car of this vintage aggressively driven in a motorsport event, for those auto-xers who want a harness but not the weight penalty of a bar or cage there are options. The 5 point shoulder straps on my autox car mount to a bracket which is part of the rear strut tower brace, and I have seen serveral similar arrangements in autox z's where they either mount to a bracket on the rear tower or the brace its self..

Just chiming in with this as I see this thread containing alot of the kind of good info that will have people going back and referencing it in other threads...