6 point Harness in a GT350 w/o a roll bar?

[scannon]

After my first track day in my GT350 it is obvious I need a harness to keep me behind the wheel as well as for safety. I replaced my Recaro seats with seats from a 2016 5.0 Mustang.

I've seen the Schroth Mustang QuickFit Pro Harness but it is a 4 point and my local track requires a 6 point system.

Sorry about the underline, couldn't get rid of it.

I prefer to not alter anything I cannot reverse in the installation so I won't install a roll bar.

Any tips?

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[control4userguy]

^I have very limited exposure to this but what I gather is if your track/group won't allow a 4-point (mine will but doesn't recommend it), you should jump to a 6-point IMO. However, that would require you to cobble-in anchor points for the two anti-sub straps.

 

[wildcatgoal]

It is not advised to have 4 or 6 point straps without roll protection. Why? If you do roll over, and you are cinched down to the seat, you run the risk of crushing your head/neck if the car lands hard enough on the roof because your body cannot divert to the side or forward. The airbag is there for a reason and is arguably, if not factually, more safe with a standard seat belt absent a proper roll cage (or at least something that will prevent the roof from collapsing on your head in a rollover).

 

[THX 138]

Do a search on CG Lock. It’s cheap—under $60–and it locks your 3-point belt in place to keep you in your seat. It won’t give you the same “strapped in place” feeling of a good 4- or 6-point belt system, but since 4-point belts are not an option for you and you don’t want to modify your car permanently, it might be worth a try.

 

[AC53]

Wildcatgoal, is quite correct, it is definitely not recommended or safe to use a 4-6 point harness without rollover protection. That's one of the reasons all the original Shelby GT350 and GT500 cars came with a rollbar stock.

I'd give strong consideration to installing a nice, discreet, padded bar.

I've used CG-Locks and they work well, if you can't do anything further, but are perhaps 30% of the way towards a 4-6 point compared to an OE 3-point.

I rolled my SVT Contour at the track years ago, due to a suspension failure with a harness and no rollbar, and it wasn't pretty, nor was it good for my health. Got a bad concussion (roof was crushed from a double barrel-roll). I was lucky it wasn't a broken neck, so think long and hard about it. A 4-point bolt-in bar just requires replacing the carpeting if you want to take it back to stock looking afterwards.

 

[MustangGT350]

I also looked into doing a harness w/o a roll bar, and it's not adviseable for many of the reasons, some of which are mentioned by others here. One of the things I also read about that is not mentioned yet is submarining, where you slip out under the harnesses, but this is if you decide not to drill the floor and install the bottom of the harness (IE, 4-point harness).

I am by no means an expert, but all that I read convinced me to pass on the harness until I get a roll cage (which doesn't seem to be in the cards for me since I don't want to drill my R).

 

[AC53]

If you don't need to satisfy a sanctioning bodies regulations and just want the added stability of a harness, a 6-point can be installed without drilling into the floor for your leg-belts by attaching them to the front seat mounting bolts (you may need longer mounting bolts).

Fully understand folks not wanting to install a roll-cage in their street car, I've done it in the past and they definitely get in the way when not needed. However, for what most are wanting, a simple bolt-in 4-point roll-bar will do everything needed and only inconvenience back seat access. Just a possible option for some.

 

[Minn19]

I also looked into doing a harness w/o a roll bar, and it's not adviseable for many of the reasons, some of which are mentioned by others here. One of the things I also read about that is not mentioned yet is submarining, where you slip out under the harnesses, but this is if you decide not to drill the floor and install the bottom of the harness (IE, 4-point harness).

I am by no means an expert, but all that I read convinced me to pass on the harness until I get a roll cage (which doesn't seem to be in the cards for me since I don't want to drill my R).

The Scroth 4 point harness I (and others here use) addresses this problem.

 

[fuhrius]

1. don't use a harness without a rollbar. just don't. if you can't get your hear wrapped around having even a simple rollbar in your car, don't take your car to the track. Simple as that. These cars are so fast...doesn't matter your experience level...it's just a recipe for disaster.
2. WITH a rollbar, Scroth's ASM 4-pt is a solid solution...no drilling for anti-sub straps but the ASM has excellent anti-sub capabilities.
3. Prioritize safety when you go to the track. or don't go. anyone who's been in, or even seen, an accident at the track knows that shit can get nasty really quickly (myself included).

 

[Tomster]

1. don't use a harness without a rollbar. just don't. if you can't get your hear wrapped around having even a simple rollbar in your car, don't take your car to the track. Simple as that. These cars are so fast...doesn't matter your experience level...it's just a recipe for disaster.
2. WITH a rollbar, Scroth's ASM 4-pt is a solid solution...no drilling for anti-sub straps but the ASM has excellent anti-sub capabilities.
3. Prioritize safety when you go to the track. or don't go. anyone who's been in, or even seen, an accident at the track knows that shit can get nasty really quickly (myself included).

+1

 

[straightliner1]

Do a search on CG Lock. It’s cheap—under $60–and it locks your 3-point belt in place to keep you in your seat. It won’t give you the same “strapped in place” feeling of a good 4- or 6-point belt system, but since 4-point belts are not an option for you and you don’t want to modify your car permanently, it might be worth a try.

I purchased 2 CG Locks, they won't work with our buckle style. They only work with a single pass through belt, not the double pass through like our cars. : /

With that said, if anyone wants them, they are yours. Just pay for shipping. PM me if interested.

 

[straightliner1]

Also of note,

<flamesuit> I am using a Maier Racing harness bar (no cutting compared to the Braum bar) and am using it with Simpson 3" pull up 4 point harnesses. For those shopping currently, I do not recommend the Simpson line as the lap belt adjusters are ridiculously difficult to adjust and their location rubs the center console badly! </flamesuit>

 

[Demonic]

You're sure your track is ok with a 6-pt harness and no roll-bar? I personally wouldn't feel too comfortable going that route.

 

[fuhrius]

Also of note,

<flamesuit> I am using a Maier Racing harness bar (no cutting compared to the Braum bar) and am using it with Simpson 3" pull up 4 point harnesses. For those shopping currently, I do not recommend the Simpson line as the lap belt adjusters are ridiculously difficult to adjust and their location rubs the center console badly! </flamesuit>

you should really consider upping your safety game if you're tracking that beast.

for people shying away from a rollbar because they don't want to drill, consider what I did. (one issue with bolt-ins is that the location of the feet has to take into consideration access from underneath the car and, hence, may not be optimally-placed). I had bar custom-fabbed by a local legend...total cost was ~$2,200...so slightly more expensive than non-custom. I had landing pads welded in place at spots not compromised by the limitation of access from below, and the bar bolts to the landing pads. If I ever sell it and someone doesn't want the bar in it...it comes out (and I can re-use it or sell it to someone else).

 

[96cobra]

My Watson roll cage is on the way and I'm going with the Schroth PROFI II ASM FE 4-Point harnesses. I did a ton of research on this and it seems to be the best way to go w/o drilling the floor and/or replacing the seats.

I know to some the cage may seem like a lot, but to me it's worth it in this car and fits it well.

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