Roll bar - Watson Racing vs Cooltech

CoolTech said:

The seat clips that we originally created for the Boss302's will also work in the 2015+ Mustangs. In the S197 Mustangs both the in-board and out-board clips are mounted perpendicular to the seat rail and the seat still has the opportunity to slide. On the 2015+ GT/GT350/GT350R, the out-board clip is still mounted perpendicular to the seat rail but the in-board clip needs to mount parallel to the seat rail and straight back.

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Those clips look great. The one question I do have about them.. Is there any risk of them rotating when the lap belts get pulled? Also, do you have a solution for the sub belts? I guess that was 2 questions! Thanks.

Those clips look great. The one question I do have about them.. Is there any risk of them rotating when the lap belts get pulled? Also, do you have a solution for the sub belts? I guess that was 2 questions! Thanks.

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As far as turning, most of the force will be upward on the bracket once the seat is slid back into a normal position. There will be some rotational force but if they are secured properly any movement would be mitigated.

As far as anti-submarine belting, you really have two choices. The first (and most common way in a dedicated race car) is that you modify the seat bottom with a slit that allows the belt to come up just in front of your crotch. The other end of this belt is secured through the floor or a reinforced part of the seat bracket. For a street-driven car - especially where the owner doesn't want to modify the seat or floor, an alternative exists. This would be to use a 6-point harness system. You lay the anti-submarine belt out in a V-shape on top of the seat bottom with the tip of the V just in front of your crotch area and with the latch on that end. The legs of the V go out AROUND the pivot point of the seat back and connect to the same clips as the lap belt. You sit on the V and then you adjust the fitment. The anti-submarine belt really serves two purposes. One, it prevents the occupant from sliding (submarining) under the lap belt in the event of a collision. Second, and as importantly, it serves to keep the lap belt down and in a correct position across your hips. The shoulder straps are trying to pull the lap belt up and the anti-submarine strap is keeping it down. All of this.... and you also need to try to keep "the boys" comfortable.

kart125 said:

Thanks for the info. How tall are you?

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I'm 6 foot. I probably didn't have the seat all the way back, maybe one notch or so from the back and I wasn't able to recline the seat back to where my head was not pitched forward. The HANS adds about an inch more between the helmet and seat.

bpracer said:

I'm 6 foot. I probably didn't have the seat all the way back, maybe one notch or so from the back and I wasn't able to recline the seat back to where my head was not pitched forward. The HANS adds about an inch more between the helmet and seat.

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I'm 5'9" and drive pretty close to steering on the track so might be fine with Watson.

I would go with Watson being that the Track Attack cars use them - but I did have a Cooltech setup in my Boss 302 Laguna Seca and fit and finish was excellent.

Both setups seems to be top notch quality, just a different approach.

CoolTech said:

For a street-driven car - especially where the owner doesn't want to modify the seat or floor, an alternative exists. This would be to use a 6-point harness system. You lay the anti-submarine belt out in a V-shape on top of the seat bottom with the tip of the V just in front of your crotch area and with the latch on that end.
The legs of the V go out AROUND the pivot point of the seat back and connect to the same clips as the lap belt.
You sit on the V and then you adjust the fitment.

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Can you elaborate on the proper routing of the 6-point V quote above? When you say "around", you mean the legs of the V go on the OUTSIDE of the seat hinge points - the same as the lap belts? I had assumed the V would go the shorter route under the seat INSIDE the hinge points, while still connecting at the same OEM seat mounting points.

Very interested in adding a roll hoop and 6-point harness to my '17 GT, and just want to clarify. Thanks!

I finally opted for the Watson bar and rear seat delete kit. I finilized the install yesterday and am happy with result. The side trim panels are a PITA to get back into place once main hoop is in place... Cant wait to install the harness and track this car next spring!

ant photos of install??

Rimox51 said:

ant photos of install??

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No I did not bother to take pics since a lot of pics are already out there. Car is under cover until april 1st!

I'm mostly curious on the Cool Tech install of the upright bars.

So close to ordering a watson bar. I was going to do red to match the red accents but the wife liked the grey ones from the track attack cars..... argh. Yes, I'll turn in my man-card.

Can you elaborate on the proper routing of the 6-point V quote above? When you say "around", you mean the legs of the V go on the OUTSIDE of the seat hinge points - the same as the lap belts?

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Yes.

Regarding the differences between the two roll bar kits. Most taller drivers are likel to have the seat reclined a notch or two more than they might for the street in order to get headliner clearance with a helmet on. This is the primary reason that we believe that kicking the harness bar back is a good idea - otherwise there could be a serious fitment issues. The fact that we kick this harness bar back and that our kit allows the rear seat to remain in place (or not - owner's choice) are the two main differences between the kits.

CoolTech,

Thanks for the confirmation on the belt routing. Will be ordering soon, I've seen your roll bar in a buddy's Boss 302, and it works great.

Hey CoolTech,
I'm leaning toward your roller bar but want to see how the front bottom legs are mounted. I won't be able to use them but i'd still like to keep the rear seats in the car.

couple of photos would help. Thanks