Harnesses and MOT?

[Ferg]

Silly question maybe, but I take it that aftermarket harnesses are MOT friendly? About time I made an investment in some safety kit for the track. I just want to check I'm not letting myself in for difficulties with MOTS.

[renmure]

No issues here with various cars at various MOT stations.

[Mikie711]

Most MOT stations have no idea which are and which aren't approved type so as long as they are fitted securely your good. The scroth ASM Profi II or III both have the plastic push to release buckle and are the approved for road use type/ IIRC twist to unlock aren't but never heard of anybody failing because of them.

[Dominic]

I have never had a problem. When fitting them, consider keeping the original seatbelts in situ too. I have harnesses and standard belts in my car and I find very handy when popping to the shops not to have the faff of harnesses.

[Ferg]

Thanks for the tips.

The scroth ASM Profi II or III both have the plastic push to release buckle and are the approved for road use type

That's the ones I'm looking at.

[martins]

If you can, def keep the standard belts. Not only is it easier when going a short journey it is also easier at junctions where you need to lean forward to see if there is anything coming. Bloody faff having to unclip or ease off on the harnesses....

M

[Ferg]

Can you keep the belts easily? I seem to recall stories of a special fitting kit required to do this?!

[Mikie711]

Sector 111 (they have a UK agent but I forget who its, seriously Lotus maybe) sell the kit but others have said well worth keeping both.

[Ferg]

I've ordered the harnesses. Noting that fitting kits are not listed at Seriously Lotus, I may well fit them for now and refit the belts once I realise what a pain they are at junctions.

[Ferg]

This has all gotten more expensive than expected. Going to do the seat hole mod too. EDIT: And now I'm not so sure. Will have to see how they fit. Just spent time trawling SELOC..now more confused that ever.

[Ferg]

... has anyone got any advice or experience in running harnesses with standard seats? It seems I've dropped into an area of significant argument. I've had a quick sit in the car and my shoulders come higher than the seat shoulder. If I were to fit harness holes (which I quite like the look of) this means the straps might have to rise to meet my shoulders. Thing is I'm looking to fit them to both sides, so I'd want to make sure the passenger had the most suitable safety kit too and if possible the same layout on both sides.

Still want to fit them but want to do it in an appropriate and safe way.

All ideas and input appreciated.

[AJT]

There is lots of great info and guides on the MSAR site
http://www.msar.co.uk/products.asp?s=Ha ... sories&c=1
http://www.msar.co.uk/info.asp?i=27

[Shug]

Some will tell you no, no and thrice no. I'm not so sure about that. Worth pointing out in the first place that what I'm saying here is for S1 seats only - S2 seats, I believe, have a different shape making the headrest and shoulder 'wings' a bit higher/wider.

With my S1, I made sure that the belts ran above the harness bar, and sat in the seat with them on - with my height (and you're not a short lad, so I'm sure same will apply to you) there was a straight line where the belts ran from bar to shoulder. They only just touched the seat when I used 3" straps - the 2.5" Luke ones I had originally never did. You also have wider shoulders than I, I'm sure. So - IMVHO, I must stress - as long as the harnesses are bolted in, and not wrap-round (so they can't move laterally) and you aren't running them over the seat back to get to your shoulders, I can't see any physical reason for them being less safe.

No harm to MSAR's guides (I've had great advice from Malcolm and he's not hard sell at all) they are selling safety kit, so they do need to ensure any grey areas are not legally grey - plus there's the impetus to sell more kit

[woody]

At my height, I'm not comfortable with the standard seats without holes. Any time I've tried a car like this, I've felt less secure in the harnesses than I'd like. However, I certainly wouldn't modify the seats to take the grommets either.

[Ferg]

Thanks guys. Both experience in valid as I want it to work for other people as well as myself. MSAR's feedback was very honest, stating that at my height and build it was 'up to me'. I do like the seat hole idea, and have no problem modifying my seats but I suspect they might not represent a good solution for me. Having ordered wrap around belts....I'm considering the FIA approved seperators to hold them in place.
Generally though I'm going to have to offer them up and work it out. Interestingly, there are no regs I can find for the seat holes or any guides for belts other than they should not make the belt pass through extreme angles defined by the belt manufacturer. I also note that even Exige seats are just the same fibre glass construction so the seat whole in a set of Probaxs from a recent Exige is not offering much more in the way structural capability than these seat holes. Hmmm, more thinking required.