I want to add 5-point harnesses to one of my fieros, I can utilize where the OE lap belt bolts in on the left and right of the seats;

But how about the shoulder harness? I was thinking somewhere behind the seat on the vertical part of the firewall, but it would have to be reinforced with some stout pieces to bolt into, so nothing rips through in an incident.

How about the flat/horizontal part on the top of the firewall behind the headrests of the seats that the rear window sits, is it any stiffer?

I already know where to mount the strap that goes in between the legs to prevent slipping out the bottom of the harness, theres a little support bar on the floor pan that the seat track studs are attached to, so thats easy.

If your gonna drive it on the street dont bother. They are a huge pain in the ass on the street where you need to be able to move around during driving and you wont be able to look over your shoulders or out the back window with them on properly.

Years ago before installing a roll bar with a horizontal brace I had a 5 point harness.
I installed the shoulder straps to the fire wall with 4" square 1/8"plates one each side of the fire wall.
Drill a 1/2" hole in the center and use a grade 8 bolt/nut.
The thing is make sure you position them correctly for height.
You don't want them too low. Unfortunately you can't really install them high enough.
They should be at shoulder height and that is about the bottom of the rear glass.

The SCCA and most racing organizations spec a 4" x 4" x 1/8" steel plate for a backing plate. I used a couple of these in my ChumpCar since you can drill two holes in the firewall position the plate behind and use the bolt to hold everything together. Make sure to use Grade 8 or better hardware.

http://www.vro.com/seat-bel...up-plate-4-p-80.html

[This message has been edited by Duck Hunter 117 (edited 10-23-2012).]

I realize that it would be a PITA for a street car, but its not going to be much of a street car.
If it were to be used on the streets, I'd have to add more mirrors to compensate for the lack of bodily movement.

so... on the vertical piece of the firewall, not the flat part the rear window sits on. and use a reinfocement, with grade 8 or higher hardware. thanks everyone!

A sound piece of advice is to get a rule book for the series that you want to race in. Like the mentioning of grade 8 hardware. If you do not have proper bolts/nuts they will flag you.

Tony

quote Originally posted by AL87: I'd have to add more mirrors to compensate for the lack of bodily movement.

Look into getting a 5 panel "Wink type" mirror. I have one in my car and can literally see out the passenger window. I have another small mirror on the drivers door and that's it. I drive it on the street as well and have never encountered a situation where I was not aware of my surroundings.

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quote Originally posted by AL87: If it were to be used on the streets, I'd have to add more mirrors to compensate for the lack of bodily movement.

Also race belts are not street legal and doesn't meet FMVSS rules.
Depending how local Seat Belt Law are written... You could get a ticket of using them
Anyone using the car with them and get in a wreck then can sue and insurance likely won't help you for illegal belts.

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quote Originally posted by Tony Kania: A sound piece of advice is to get a rule book for the series that you want to race in. Like the mentioning of grade 8 hardware. If you do not have proper bolts/nuts they will flag you. Tony

Just make sure you get American made bolts. Chinese made grade 8 bolts ARE NOT GRADE 8!!!
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Custom Fiberglass Parts

The other thing to keep in mind is that three point harnesses protect your neck by allowing much of the decelerative forces of an accident to be redirected into a rotational movement of your upper body. In a frontal collision with a four or five point harness, unless you are wearing a Hans device, the entire force of the deceleration of your head will be absorbed by your neck since your body is rigidly held in place.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...0818-1-049101-2.html

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: The other thing to keep in mind is that three point harnesses protect your neck by allowing much of the decelerative forces of an accident to be redirected into a rotational movement of your upper body. In a frontal collision with a four or five point harness, unless you are wearing a Hans device, the entire force of the deceleration of your head will be absorbed by your neck since your body is rigidly held in place.

I am already aware... Thats why I have a hans device*

You can still use the stock belts with a 5 point harness. Just buy longer bolts for where the lap belts and stock belts mount. Put the blot through both parts. I did this for when I still had my car street legal. Works great for passengers who don't want to bother with the harness.

quote Originally posted by AL87: I am already aware... Thats why I have a hans device*

Used w/ 4-5 point harness w/ or w/o hans on the street... In many cities/states will say illegal racing involved and impound it. Some will crush street race cars...
IOW Driving around on street in 5 point harness w/ hans and helmet = big ticket/impound magnet.
Even w/ these items in easy reach when stop by cop can be a problem for you.

I am following this thread closely as I plan to install a 5 point setup in my street strip car. I plan to do Autocross, Road Course and Drag Racing with it, and even take it to a Legal track every so often. LOL.

I also plan on setting up a better mounting setup for my daughter to ride in the car with me. Her carseat already has a really nice 5 Point restraint system, however the problem is when its installed in the car, seat belts don't hold it in very well. To keep it legal I will have to use the stock seat belts in addition to adding at least one extra top mount and bottom mount.

I don't make a habit out of driving like an idiot with a 3 year old little girl in the passenger seat, but occasional little romp from 0-40mph because she loves it and is always saying "Daddy Go Faster"

I am pretty sure the laws about using a 5 point as primary restraints in a street car are a Grey area here, the cops may let you go, but if you get into an accident, our government insurance will go ape $hit Crazy on you. So as mentioned above I'll have to use both. Use the standard seat belts for normal day to day driving and when a spirited time comes up, grab race harness and go. I plan to make at least one "high speed" test run with the car late at night on a stretch of highway with Zero other cars on the road, I want to see if I can hit 155mph. Don't worry guys, I'll have a Video Camera on the rear window, so if I do it, I'll have Video Proof, if I kill myself, it can be a great video and a Warning of What NOT to do in a street car.

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5-points are a grey area here as well, we have a local circle and drag track right out in the country a nice 30 minute drive away, so everyone who is any one goes there.

Also, we have drifting... XD which is pretty awesome but everything is a 240sx either stock, turboed, or engine swapped with a 302 ford, 305/350 chevy, or dodge 318.

I wont be using the full 5 point harness while just driving, and the hans is there for safety when I race, hell no to driving on the street with a hans and helmet on...

I figured I can just use the lap belt portion or even use one of the shoulder harnesses, because I wouldnt want to get in and out of a car having to fasten all that stuff up...

Don't use just one of the shoulder belts.
It was not designed to be used that way.
It's more dangerous than just a seat belt.
You will twist right out of it upon impact.
Use the stock belts for the street.

how about I just dont tighten down the shoulder belts like one would normally do in say... a stock car?

quote Originally posted by AL87: how about I just dont tighten down the shoulder belts like one would normally do in say... a stock car?

Sorry for bumping an old thread but I think this is relevant info. Schroth makes a 4-point harness with their ASM (anti submarining) feature and it's capable of accepting a sub strap:
http://www.schrothracing.co...ofi-asm/profi-ii-asm

It's designed to be used as a 4-point but the latch accepts a sub-strap (single or dual) to convert it to a 5- or 6-point. You can wear it as a 4 point because one of the shoulder straps is design to elongate more than other, so your body twists like with a 3-point. This reduces the probability of you sliding under the lap belts when not wearing the sub strap. The ability to wear it as a 4-point makes it a little more convenient to wear on the street if you have to.

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1988 Pontiac Fiero 3.4 DOHC V6 5-speed
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[This message has been edited by Steven Snyder (edited 06-20-2013).]

I hope this does not come across as too stern of a reply but a 5 point harness is designed to work as an assembly.
The mounting is important as is the way it is used.
You cannot leave a portion slack or disconnected.
It needs to be snugged down and fit properly to be effective.
They even offer the shoulder straps in 2 configurations to do this depending on what your preference is.
Pull down or pull up styles.
I will reiterate what I said earlier......
For the street it is a waist of time and after a while you will tire of having to get into and out of the dame thing.
Just spent a day at the track in mine and it's a bit of a hassle.
Why not wear a helmet and invest in a HANS device too?????????????
Sorry for the perceived attitude..........

I personally wouldn't trust the firewall to support the shoulder belts. It's made of thin sheet metal. And in an accident, it will probably buckle, which would also shatter the rear window.

Taking this into consideration, I would suggest installing a bar or beam to be used as your shoulder belt support. Even better would be a roll bar / cage with a built-in harness bar. I think Jeg's still sells these for Fieros, too.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 06-20-2013).]