Harness Fitting

Harness Fitting

Author
Discussion

tvr_griff_4000

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

283 months

Sunday 4th February 2001
quotequote all
Has anybody fitted harnesses to a late model Griff 500? If so are they 3 or 4 point. Any tips on fitting or problems?

TVR Engineer

86 posts

277 months

Sunday 4th February 2001
quotequote all
The griff Harness is in 3 peices the rear loom is a doddle and connects behind the cover on the passanger side. The front loom is also very simple and connects near the heater box in the passanger footwell. The main loom is where your problems start, it is not too bad apart from the 2-pack foam in either door sill. It is easy to pull the old loom through but much more dificult to refit a new loom. The job is not too dificult and can be completed within a day. As a point of interest I did the development wiring looms on the sepertine engine cars. I must ask, why are you fitting a new loom ?

TVR Engineer

86 posts

277 months

Sunday 4th February 2001
quotequote all
After reading your question again are you talking wiring harness or seat belt harness ?

richb

51,435 posts

283 months

Monday 5th February 2001
quotequote all
Sorry TVR Engineer - when the question says 3 or 4 point harness and you ask if he means wiring, it's no wonder the electrics are so crap in TVRs! Rich...
quote:
After reading your question again are you talking wiring harness or seat belt harness ?

pete

1,586 posts

283 months

Monday 5th February 2001
quotequote all
I've got Luke 4-point harnesses in my '97 Griff 500, although I also have a roll bar. AFAIK, you use 4 point harnesses with the roll bar, as there are separate mounting points for each shoulder strap. Without the roll bar you should be able to use 3 or 4 point harnesses, with the shoulder straps mounted to the rear chassis via holes in the rear parcel shelf. I'd seriously recommend getting the roll bar if you're planning on fitting harnesses. If you roll the car with standard inertia reel belts you should be able to duck - with the harnesses you'll be held tightly upright. If the car lands upside down your head will absorb the impact... Cheerio, Pete

ADB

52 posts

283 months

Monday 5th February 2001
quotequote all
Quick question. How much more do you 'feel' the car with a harness as I was thinking along the same lines? Flipside (bad choice of word?) is I don't like the look of the Griff with a rollbar but take the point about needing one if you can't duck.Other view is I don't think a rollbar would be high enough to protect my bonce as I sit rahther high, in which case taking out the seat rnners would be required as well?? Only reason I ask is I don't move about much as it is and not sure about the benefit (obviously less likely to headbut the wheel I know)

Graham

16,368 posts

283 months

Monday 5th February 2001
quotequote all
A roll bar also improves the handling by stiffening up the chassis...that and avoiding a head tarmac interface, would be my reasons for going for one..

pete

1,586 posts

283 months

Monday 5th February 2001
quotequote all
I found that with the standard seats and belts I was sliding all over the place, especially on track days. The harness made a huge difference - I can feel what the car's doing much better through the seat, and through the steering wheel, now I'm not having to hold on for dear life! I don't mind the look of the roll bar - mine was trimmed in green leather by Fernies to match my dashboard - and it's high enough to protect me should the worst come to the worst. To judge the height for yourself, the top of the roll bar just clears the roof where the folding and removable bits meet. Cheerio, Pete

TVR Engineer

86 posts

277 months

Monday 5th February 2001
quotequote all
quote:
Sorry TVR Engineer - when the question says 3 or 4 point harness and you ask if he means wiring, it's no wonder the electrics are so crap in TVRs! Rich... Well anyone can make a mistake I read it as peice not point, anyway what is wrong with the wiring ? [quote]After reading your question again are you talking wiring harness or seat belt harness ?

tvr_griff_4000

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

283 months

Monday 5th February 2001
quotequote all
Oh the benefit of hindsight. I mean seatbelt harnesses. The consensus seems to be 3 point without a roll bar and 4 point with. Any preference on makes? Sabelt, Luke, Willans etc As for the roll bar, I've thought about it, but with my brain it's a bit of overkill!! Richard

Leadfoot

1,901 posts

280 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
Pete - I'm thinking of a rollbar for my '96 griff. Any details, have you got a custom made bar or the TVR one? My dealer got all evasive when asked about rollbars.

richb

51,435 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
It was meant in the best possible taste hence the oh and TVR wiring? Well it wasn't the best I'd come across on my S3c. Rich...
quote:
Well anyone can make a mistake I read it as peice not point, anyway what is wrong with the wiring ?[quote]

pete

1,586 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
Leadfoot - my rollbar is the TVR version, fitted by Fernhurst. Henley got very shirty when I insisted I'd want a rollbar fitted as soon as I bought a car, but Fernhurst were fine. They did point out that there were no safety guarantees, implied or otherwise, from having the factory rollbar fitted. There are a couple of snags to be aware of with the factory rollbar: 1) No guarantee of extra safety, as they've never crash tested a car with one fitted. Hell, have they ever crash tested a car without one? 2) It's now only available in black powder coat. Mine's leather covered, but if you want a plated or coloured one you'd best look at a custom model. 3) If you're very tall and have your seat reclined a long way, it could reduce headroom. Not a problem for me, and I'm 6 foot tall with long arms and legs! 4) It sits right in the middle of my field of view from the rearview mirror. I've got used to relying more on the wing mirrors, and don't find this a problem. It also blocks light from the courtesy light from reaching the front of the cabin. Plus points are the stiffening for the chassis, ease of fitting 4 point harnesses, and huge piece of mind. It was a no-brainer for me - I wouldn't want a car without roll protection, period. I think mine cost about 700 quid parts, labour and trimming, although it was fitted as part of bargaining on the price of the whole car - give Fernhurst a call for more info. Cheerio, Pete

andywaterfall

939 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
Pete - any chance of attaching a photo to your profile so we can see the finished article? Cheers Andyw Griff500

pete

1,586 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
I've attached a random photo to my profile where you can just see the rollbar. I'm afraid that's the only one I have where it's visible at all! It's also just visible on http://www.tvr-berks.co.uk/ on the Event Reports > Summer Picnic page. My car's the green Griff "P500MAD". Cheers, Pete

andywaterfall

939 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
Thanks v much - looks like a very neat job (from what's visible ). £700 all in you reckon...hmmm... Do you live near Fernies by any chance (I'm in Guildford)? Andy

craigw

12,248 posts

281 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
Hi Pete, Sorry if this is a repeat question but whose is the Griffith with the Cerbera wheels? Also just read about your Reims trip, looked like fun - how long roughly? (Sorry to go off topic everyone)

richb

51,435 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
Mine, and yes it is see the big wheels thread in the Chimaera section. Rich... p.s. Pete's Roll cage looks pretty good up close too. (he says considering it himself)

pete

1,586 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
I can't be of much help regarding the Reims trip - the report was written by Ben Hiscock, the Berkshire RO. He can be contacted on benhiscock@tvr-berks.co.uk Cheers, Pete Edited by pete on Tuesday 6th February 17:40

tvr_griff_4000

Original Poster:

2,312 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th February 2001
quotequote all
Rollbars.. think they just look plain ugly and spoil the lines of the car, but can see the advantage re brain v concrete argument. I'm 6'4" and think I could have problems, plus the missus would think it looked like scaffolding and that it spoilt her pretty car!!!!