Scottish Elises

I have an S1 Sport 135 with it's original Corbeau LE seats.They're in nice condition and fairly comfortable,however,being of slight build I'm finding them lacking in support when pressing on a bit.
I have been considering a bolt in harness bar and a four point harness to stop me having to try and brace myself against the sill/footrest and allow me to concentrate on what the car is doing around about me! I know that it's not best practice to use a harness without seat slots but does anyone have experience of using bolt on tag harnesses with a standard seat? I have thought about swapping the drivers seat for an LE X in the same red and black cloth but really want to keep the car looking as standard as possible as it's a decent original example.
My concerns are centred mostly around whether the straps will sit properly or be inclined to slip,especially with me not being particularly broad shouldered.
Thanks
Richy

Dom has bolted harness with the standard 135 seats in his. Works well for him at 6 ft + but at under 6ft I'm not so keen. I'd fit the proper seats if I was going to do it.

I had harnesses on my S1 with standard seat with no issues. I didn't like them for road use as you can't lean forwards at junctions or to adjust the radio etc. I used them on spirtied runs and track but think a CG lock would be more suitable for me.. That said I'm not at all slight in build and have pretty broad shoulders so the harnesses round the high back seats wasn't an issues, probably best trying a set to see if they work for you... Calling all S1 owners with harnesses and std seats, anyone able to give Richy a wee try in your seats??

Cheers

Mark

As Woody says Dom has suggested setup so maybe an oportunity to see what they are like. I did the seat mod for harness holes on my S1. Pretty simple to do. There's a thread on it somewhere.

I have them in my s1 with standard seats and seem to do the job fine.

You shouldn't use harnesses with standard seats... Pretty dangerous by all accounts in an accident. Need to go through harness holes.


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I think harnesses are one of the best mods you can do to an Elise. There's nothing like the feeling of being pinned to the car, and steering with your fingertips instead of hanging on for dear life.

I don't think bolt-on harnesses with standard seats is that dangerous. Angles are all good. Might be a tall thing though, as mentioned above. I wouldn't use wrap-around harnesses and standard seats, that I agree with.

But, the real problem with harnesses is never honestly discussed, because it's a human failure, and we don't like admitting those: people don't do them up properly. Most have the lap belt too loose so the straps are round the squishy bits and not on the boney hip bits. I.e. people do them up as if the lap-belt should hold you back into the seat and not down into the seat. If you're comfortable, they're not tight enough. If you tighten the shoulder straps and the lap-belt lifts up at all, it's not tight enough. Crash with the buckle lifted up into your squishy stomach bits, and you're going to have a bad time.

You might promise yourself that you'll always do them up really really properly properly every time you need to pop out for a pint of milk, but you won't. Seriously consider leaving the inertia reels in too, at least until you prove to yourself you'll never use them again.

G speaks sense.

Rarely see people who use harnesses pulling them tight enough... which amplifies the problem in a standard seat and folk will slip out or submarine badly in an accident. Think I'd prefer 5 point to 4 point now to minimise the submarining aspect too.

Love mine on track and they transform the experience imho, but for the road think I'll go back to inertia reels soon. I do try to keep my harnesses tight but that's a real pain in the backside when you're jumping in and out at the shops or garage etc. and I dare say that sometimes I've left them looser than they should be as a result.

I'd still only use them with proper harness seats though. Not work the risk for me with a standard seat.

Remember, you'll only know if they've done the job fine when you need them to do their job in an accident...

I had both fitted to my car at the same time, harnesses and inertia reel, made the car live with able day to day and had the 'track option' of the harnesses when needed. Truth be told the harnesses didn't see much use! I don't think they were dangerous with standard seats as I'm only 5'9" and they didn't touch the seat when I was wearing them the harness bar sits high enough to keep them off the seats iirc.

Sector 111 in the US did a special bolt kit that would accept both harnesses and the seat belts. I fitted them to my S1 and worked well.
Kit here

Welcome to try mine and see what you think. Four point on standard sport 135 seats Currently in Robroyston if you want to pop over.

DDtB wrote:
Remember, you'll only know if they've done the job fine when you need them to do their job in an accident...

Can't quite beleive this, but Dodgy Dave the Ted Baker man speaks sense.

woody wrote:

DDtB wrote:
Remember, you'll only know if they've done the job fine when you need them to do their job in an accident...

Can't quite beleive this, but Dodgy Dave the Ted Baker man speaks sense.

Who's hacked Dave's account?

Hahaha... I always speak sense!

Plenty warnings from manufacturers out there about the dangers of using harnesses without the proper seats etc... that was good enough from me. Some of the vids showing the submarine problem or straps coming off shoulders in an impact are terrifying.

Doesn't help when you see the likes of presenters on Top Gear etc driving around with loose straps ... bad example to set.

DDtB wrote: Doesn't help when you see the likes of presenters on Top Gear etc driving around with loose straps ... bad example to set.

FFS, agree again.