Advice in fitting a harness in an 08 Sti?

[Pjj]

I have just bought an 08 Sti with a few suspension and engine tweaks - I will likely track the car a bit but am wondering how the harness should be fixed. Will change seats to buckets and get a 4 point harness. Have been wondering though where the shoulder straps should be fixed if i use the rear seat belt points I am concerned that the angle of the straps will be over 45 degrees which doesn't seem to be the approved approach.

Grateful for any views/experiences.

[ScoobieWRX]

I have mine installed in the WRXwagon all the time although they are only a 3point harness but perfect for that extra spirited drive on an early quiet Sunday morning or trackday. I have loop lugs screwed into my anchorage points so the harness can clip in and out if required and standard seatbelts are also left in place and useable in the rear.

Using the rear anchor points is perfect as they are strengthened and unlikely to rip out should the worst happen. Your harness should have screw lugs on the end and that's where they go. Unless you fit a roll cage or have custom anchor points constructed and welded into exactly where you want them seat belt points are the only place to install.

I also use my normal seatbelts on a daily basis with a CG-Lock fitted on driver and passenger sides so they are both very easy to live with everyday.

HTH

Edited by ScoobieWRX on Wednesday 17th December 10:32

[stevieb]

My harness was installed bolted in place using the fixing locations for the Seatbelt sockets under the rear seats. whcih gave you and angle of between 40 and 60 degrees.

They were a bit of a pain in the backside when you have passengers

[DocJock]

The rear straps should always be as close to 90* to your spine as possible.
This is to minimise the risk of spinal compression when you move against the belts in a crash.

I used the rear belt mounts until I had the possible consequences explained to me. I don't have a cage/mounting bar so I've taken them out and use a CG lock.

[Pjj]

"The rear straps should always be as close to 90* to your spine as possible.
This is to minimise the risk of spinal compression when you move against the belts in a crash.

I used the rear belt mounts until I had the possible consequences explained to me. I don't have a cage/mounting bar so I've taken them out and use a CG lock."



Thanks Doc Jock your point re spinal compression is exactly my fear and unless I work a solution I think I would be with you in using a CG lock. I might be up to put some form of cage in the car if some sections could be removed I was wondering whether others had found some form of solution along these lines??

[ScoobieWRX]

If you're that keen to have the straps at 90* then why don't you just have some anchorage points made up and welded in to the rear bulkhead where the rear seat back is, then all you have to do is remove the rear seat back, screw in the lugs and clip the harness straps in place. When you need to put the rear seat back in place which doesn't take long just unclip the harness and unscrew the lugs.
Job done!!

[DocJock]

There are bolt-in harness bars available. You get a couple of mounting plates welded in and away you go.

I can't for the life of me remember where I saw them though, sorry.

[Pjj]

Thanks guys very helpful