| trhoppe | 04-23-2002 06:48 PM |
SpeedWareMotorsports.com Harness Bar Review
I picked up an autox harness bar from Dan at SpeedWareMotorsports.com
Dan was awesome to deal with and got me the bar quickly.
It is one pretty piece of stainless steel. All the welds are beautiful and it includes some high quality hardware with it.
The install was easy, but because my dumb arse decided to do it by myself instead of having an assistant <-- highly recommended, I scratched the plastic around the top seat belt bracket up a little bit. Other then that, there was no problems. The bar bolts into the stock shoulder belt bolt on either side and also secures into the stock lap belt bolts on the bottom to prevent it from flipping up in the event of a mishap. The bar is VERY secure in there and a plus to the "harness" part of it, is that it stiffens up the chassis in the middle of the car. A few creaks went away after the bar install.
My Willans harness hooks up to it well and it feels a lot better then having it bolted down to the back seat belt bolts.
I give it a big thumbs up and highly recommend it. Here are pics.
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar6.jpg[/IMG]
Dan was awesome to deal with and got me the bar quickly.
It is one pretty piece of stainless steel. All the welds are beautiful and it includes some high quality hardware with it.
The install was easy, but because my dumb arse decided to do it by myself instead of having an assistant <-- highly recommended, I scratched the plastic around the top seat belt bracket up a little bit. Other then that, there was no problems. The bar bolts into the stock shoulder belt bolt on either side and also secures into the stock lap belt bolts on the bottom to prevent it from flipping up in the event of a mishap. The bar is VERY secure in there and a plus to the "harness" part of it, is that it stiffens up the chassis in the middle of the car. A few creaks went away after the bar install.
My Willans harness hooks up to it well and it feels a lot better then having it bolted down to the back seat belt bolts.
I give it a big thumbs up and highly recommend it. Here are pics.
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://66.57.68.62/tom/bar6.jpg[/IMG]
| TBreu007 | 04-23-2002 08:07 PM |
Nice looking bar
| ConeMasher | 04-23-2002 11:47 PM |
Nice looking bar... I would get one for my stock class competition, but I got scared off by section 13.2:
" A horizontal "harness bar" may be used as part of the installation hardware for allowed driver restraints. It may serve no other purpose (e.g., structural enhancement)."
The rules seem to indicate a solidly attached bar can't help but provide structural enhancement. Some tricky engineering (freely rotating bar?) would be necessary to provide a solid mounting point that does not act as a structural enhancement by accident.
I see the point of the rule... otherwise people would be tossing in big strut tower braces masquerading as "harness bars". Yes, full cages are legal, but they provide a sizeable enough weight penalty to offset the benefit.
-- ConeMasher
" A horizontal "harness bar" may be used as part of the installation hardware for allowed driver restraints. It may serve no other purpose (e.g., structural enhancement)."
The rules seem to indicate a solidly attached bar can't help but provide structural enhancement. Some tricky engineering (freely rotating bar?) would be necessary to provide a solid mounting point that does not act as a structural enhancement by accident.
I see the point of the rule... otherwise people would be tossing in big strut tower braces masquerading as "harness bars". Yes, full cages are legal, but they provide a sizeable enough weight penalty to offset the benefit.
-- ConeMasher
| trhoppe | 04-23-2002 11:51 PM |
Well I run in national and pro solo DS. I talked to Howard Duncan about this and he said the rule was there to prevent people from using "cross bracing" on a harness bar. He said that two attachment points at the top and then two attachment points at the bottom "to prevent the bar from flipping over in a collision" are totally ok by the rules.
A bar that is only attached at two points would be dangerous if you got into a collision.
If you are not getting one of these or similar harness bars because of the rules, don't hesitate, because they are legal.
A bar that is only attached at two points would be dangerous if you got into a collision.
If you are not getting one of these or similar harness bars because of the rules, don't hesitate, because they are legal.
| BruceC | 04-24-2002 09:45 AM |
Oh, crap. Now there's another addition to my expanding wish list...
| Tangmere | 04-24-2002 09:56 AM |
Hey, WRXers...
I have a GC8 and Speedware only makes the harness bars for WRXs. Could one of you WRX owners please measure between the "b" pillars at the seatbelt attachment points at the top and bottom? If its pretty close, maybe I can make the WRX one work on mine.
Thanks, Mark
Thanks, Mark
| Dussander | 04-24-2002 10:05 AM |
I want one, but I just can't give up the back seat for passengers. I'm always driving to lunch at work.
| trhoppe | 04-24-2002 10:29 AM |
Well this doesnt "give up" your back seat. Just don't get in an accident with passengers in the back and you'll be ok! :lol: :lol:
| TyrannoSullyRex | 04-24-2002 12:37 PM |
Are the seat belt attachments still able to move up and down, or are they now "fixed"?
| trhoppe | 04-24-2002 01:15 PM |
They are now "fixed" in the lowest position. I forgot to mention that in my first post.
| bbaerotek | 04-24-2002 02:23 PM |
Stock Seat Belts
Tom,
Did you totally remove your stock seat belts?
How hard is it to take the bar in and out of the car?
Is it something you can install just for track days? Or once its in are you better off leaving it in.
Thanks,
Brian
-Currently researching Harness Options-
:devil:
Edit: I can see from the pics that the stock seat belt tops are there, but you said the bottom bolts up to existing seat belt attach bolts, but I don't see anything but the bar connected there.
Did you totally remove your stock seat belts?
How hard is it to take the bar in and out of the car?
Is it something you can install just for track days? Or once its in are you better off leaving it in.
Thanks,
Brian
-Currently researching Harness Options-
:devil:
Edit: I can see from the pics that the stock seat belt tops are there, but you said the bottom bolts up to existing seat belt attach bolts, but I don't see anything but the bar connected there.
| jamz | 04-24-2002 02:53 PM |
I am all over that site, and can't find the bar anywhere. How much was it?
| trhoppe | 04-24-2002 03:03 PM |
[QUOTE]Did you totally remove your stock seat belts? [/QUOTE] Nope, still use them for daily driving
[QUOTE]How hard is it to take the bar in and out of the car? [/QUOTE] With 2 people, I would say 10-15 minutes
[QUOTE]Is it something you can install just for track days? Or once its in are you better off leaving it in. [/QUOTE] I will just leave it in, but I can see it as something that you would take out and put back in for the track. Its relatively easy to install/reinstall.
[QUOTE]I can see from the pics that the stock seat belt tops are there, but you said the bottom bolts up to existing seat belt attach bolts, but I don't see anything but the bar connected there.[/QUOTE] The stock seat belts connects there behind the carpet, you have to make a 1cm hole in the carpet for the longer bolt to go through the carpet.
[QUOTE]I am all over that site, and can't find the bar anywhere. How much was it?[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/safety/hbars.asp[/url]
They are under "speedware stainless"
The non-extinguisher mount is $369 and the one with the mount is $399. Its not a bad deal, a tad on the expensive side, but it is stainless and it doesnt weight much at all. You *could* get a cage for $700 or $800 or so if you will be doing time trials or real racing. For autoxing and light track days (driver eds) this IMHO is a great solution. You can leave it in all the time, like I do,(I autox 2 times a month) or take it out between track days if you only do 1 every few months or so.
[QUOTE]How hard is it to take the bar in and out of the car? [/QUOTE] With 2 people, I would say 10-15 minutes
[QUOTE]Is it something you can install just for track days? Or once its in are you better off leaving it in. [/QUOTE] I will just leave it in, but I can see it as something that you would take out and put back in for the track. Its relatively easy to install/reinstall.
[QUOTE]I can see from the pics that the stock seat belt tops are there, but you said the bottom bolts up to existing seat belt attach bolts, but I don't see anything but the bar connected there.[/QUOTE] The stock seat belts connects there behind the carpet, you have to make a 1cm hole in the carpet for the longer bolt to go through the carpet.
[QUOTE]I am all over that site, and can't find the bar anywhere. How much was it?[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/safety/hbars.asp[/url]
They are under "speedware stainless"
The non-extinguisher mount is $369 and the one with the mount is $399. Its not a bad deal, a tad on the expensive side, but it is stainless and it doesnt weight much at all. You *could* get a cage for $700 or $800 or so if you will be doing time trials or real racing. For autoxing and light track days (driver eds) this IMHO is a great solution. You can leave it in all the time, like I do,(I autox 2 times a month) or take it out between track days if you only do 1 every few months or so.
| Thug | 04-24-2002 03:46 PM |
Im thinking the WRX bar might fit in the GC8 RS [b]sedan[/b]. Im gonna take some measurements of both cars this weekend.
| bbaerotek | 04-24-2002 06:51 PM |
Just Curious
Do you have a 4, 5, or 6 point harness, and if it is more than 4 where did you mount the 5th, 6th points.
Thanks,
Brian
:cool:
Thanks,
Brian
:cool:
| Pilot | 04-24-2002 07:54 PM |
GC8 Measurement?
Eagerly awaiting your measurements. I've got a GC8 RS 4door.
Nice looking bar, looks very similar to the bar Brey Kraus sells for the Porsche 944.
-Drew
Nice looking bar, looks very similar to the bar Brey Kraus sells for the Porsche 944.
-Drew
| Thug | 04-25-2002 08:11 AM |
Hey Drew,
We're gonna be doing the measurements and my clutch install at Jamz' house in Sudbury this saturday. PM me if you wanna come by.
-Nate
We're gonna be doing the measurements and my clutch install at Jamz' house in Sudbury this saturday. PM me if you wanna come by.
-Nate
| Pilot | 04-25-2002 08:48 AM |
Thanks for the invite Nate. I'd love to come but I'm visiting my Girlfriend in Washington D.C. on Saturday. Let me know how it goes.
-Drew
-Drew
| G-plus | 04-25-2002 07:00 PM |
Hey, I put my bar in a couple of months ago, and it really is great. I take it in and out for track days. Once you get the hang of it, I'd say it takes 10 minutes to put in. The trick? Attach the supports first, then roll the bar into position. I do it by myself, but it would be a little easier with help.
If you want a five or six point harness, you either have to drill through the floor and install eye bolts, or you can weld a piece of angle iron to the seat slides and attach it there. But I've found a 3" Sparco 4 point harness works just fine.
Oh, and I take mine in and out because I drive my kids to school and there's no way I'd drive them in the car with the bar in. As for adults in the backseat, one of my buddies sat back there when I just got it in, and his response was: "Teeth bar."
Yup. You get in a collision with that thing in, I don't care if the guy in the backseat is wearing his seatbelt, he's losing most of his front teeth.
G
If you want a five or six point harness, you either have to drill through the floor and install eye bolts, or you can weld a piece of angle iron to the seat slides and attach it there. But I've found a 3" Sparco 4 point harness works just fine.
Oh, and I take mine in and out because I drive my kids to school and there's no way I'd drive them in the car with the bar in. As for adults in the backseat, one of my buddies sat back there when I just got it in, and his response was: "Teeth bar."
Yup. You get in a collision with that thing in, I don't care if the guy in the backseat is wearing his seatbelt, he's losing most of his front teeth.
G
| BIGSKYWRX | 04-25-2002 09:13 PM |
A very nice bar indeed, but definitely on the pricey side. What happened to Harnessbar.com, they offered a bar quite a bit less costly- not as pretty granted, but looked up to the job. Any other options out there?
Big Sky
Big Sky
| HarnessBars | 04-25-2002 09:39 PM |
BIGSKYWRX -
HarnessBars.com is no longer in business. The bar by SpeedWare is very nice!
Thank you very much for your time.
HarnessBars.com is no longer in business. The bar by SpeedWare is very nice!
Thank you very much for your time.
| mwilliams | 04-25-2002 11:08 PM |
That harness bar from speedware looks great! It's stainless right?
| trhoppe | 04-26-2002 09:20 AM |
Harnessbars.com is gone, but their bar was MORE expensive. Their bar was $479!!!!
Yup this one is full stainless....pretttyyyyy:alien:
Yup this one is full stainless....pretttyyyyy:alien:
| deepbeep | 04-29-2002 02:25 AM |
So would you say that this bar, in combination with Schroth's DOT-approved harnesses, would make a decent street setup as well?
| trhoppe | 04-29-2002 09:47 AM |
Well if you will be running harnesses on the street, which I don't recommend, then this would be a good setup. Have you ever tried harnesses on the street? Would you like to change a CD? get something out of the glovebox? look behind you? NOPE :lol:
Run the regular belts around town and use the schroths and the harness bar for events.
Run the regular belts around town and use the schroths and the harness bar for events.
| Tangmere | 04-29-2002 11:22 AM |
1st Gen Owners.....
Not to hijack this thread but if you're after a Speedware Stainless harness bar for your GC8 (2door/4 door), check the other thread in this forum. We've got them (Speedware) working on one for the 1st gens with a possible group buy in the offing too.
Thanks, Mark
Thanks, Mark
| GoodFinder | 04-30-2002 07:59 AM |
trhoppe,
Thanks for the pics. I just received mine at the house. I gotta finish putting in the Sparco seats, and once the harnesses arrive, man I can't wait to try it out at the track!
GoodFinder :)
Thanks for the pics. I just received mine at the house. I gotta finish putting in the Sparco seats, and once the harnesses arrive, man I can't wait to try it out at the track!
GoodFinder :)
| trhoppe | 05-01-2002 02:10 PM |
Good luck, I'm sure you'll like it.
Just remember to have a "helper" when you install it so as not to scratch up the little plastic around it.
On a side note, I don't know if it was because of the increased stiffness of the bar or maybe that I was running a lower setting on the front left shock, but I finally picked up a rear wheel in a turn with the WRX and a witness saw it......sweeeeeeeet :D
Just remember to have a "helper" when you install it so as not to scratch up the little plastic around it.
On a side note, I don't know if it was because of the increased stiffness of the bar or maybe that I was running a lower setting on the front left shock, but I finally picked up a rear wheel in a turn with the WRX and a witness saw it......sweeeeeeeet :D
| ChrisW | 05-01-2002 03:13 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by trhoppe [/i]
[B]Well if you will be running harnesses on the street, which I don't recommend, then this would be a good setup. Have you ever tried harnesses on the street? Would you like to change a CD? get something out of the glovebox? look behind you? NOPE :lol:
Run the regular belts around town and use the schroths and the harness bar for events. [/B][/QUOTE]
actually scroth harnesses have an optional electrically controlled inertia reel that allows you movement just like a regular seat belt. It is switched to allow you to lock the reel while performance driving or to prevent obnoxious passengers from playing with the stereo:cool:
[url]http://www.neuspeed.com/pages/cat_pdf/5intr.pdf[/url] (page7)
[B]Well if you will be running harnesses on the street, which I don't recommend, then this would be a good setup. Have you ever tried harnesses on the street? Would you like to change a CD? get something out of the glovebox? look behind you? NOPE :lol:
Run the regular belts around town and use the schroths and the harness bar for events. [/B][/QUOTE]
actually scroth harnesses have an optional electrically controlled inertia reel that allows you movement just like a regular seat belt. It is switched to allow you to lock the reel while performance driving or to prevent obnoxious passengers from playing with the stereo:cool:
[url]http://www.neuspeed.com/pages/cat_pdf/5intr.pdf[/url] (page7)
| trhoppe | 05-01-2002 03:18 PM |
Yes they do, but how are you going to attach that inertia wheel to the harness bar???
| skydiverman | 05-02-2002 08:22 PM |
[Hijack]
in case anyone rushed out and bought their new harness bar, I'm selling my 4pt willans harnesses [url]http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=182036&referrerid=9439[/url] :)
[/Hijack]
btw.. thats a nice piece of work.. I kinda dig the stainless.. also the mount points are clean.. how far back can the seat go though? (i'm presuming that those vertical braces are mounting to the lapbelt bolts, right? ) they seem to angle in, like they might prevent the seat from going all the way back?
in case anyone rushed out and bought their new harness bar, I'm selling my 4pt willans harnesses [url]http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=182036&referrerid=9439[/url] :)
[/Hijack]
btw.. thats a nice piece of work.. I kinda dig the stainless.. also the mount points are clean.. how far back can the seat go though? (i'm presuming that those vertical braces are mounting to the lapbelt bolts, right? ) they seem to angle in, like they might prevent the seat from going all the way back?
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