Need Help - Saftey First.
 

I'm looking for a semi-local shop to build a harness bar for me. Ive searched the internet for harness bars for GVR-4's but nothing seems prominant. I have also been reading up and the galant board and it seems that many others want the same product.

The automatic seatbelts are a joke in these cars and the manual three point belt kit is way over priced for what it is. Also, many don't want a full cage in their four door because of weight (which is already a problem with these cars), price, and complication of installation. So, the harness bar and actual four or five point harnesses seem to be the best way to go, and the safest (with the exeption of a full cage).

What I need from you guys is some recommendations. If you know of any shops in the area that build roll cages that are of good quality, please let me know. A way of contact would be helpfull too. Thanks in advance.

As far as I know, there is not a mandrel tubing bender in the Reno-Carson area... IIRC this is basically a requirement for this type of construction unless you have a styraight shot accross from B-Pillar to B-Pillar...

I am not a big fan of harness bars without at least a roll bar.

Have you considered the Schroth "Rallye 3" or "Rallye 4" 4 point Harnesses? They are DOT approved and should mount to one of your stock rear seatbelt mount points. I have used both models and like them a lot, as have a number of others on the board.

Ive never heard of that type of harness before. Do you have more information?

HMS Motorsports carry the harnesses. They bolt into stock seatbelt locations, but should only be considered a suppliment for light race duty (i.e. AutoX).

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/store.php?m=12

I would not use them on the street or on the race track, as they will get you killed in a roll-over situation. Stock seatbelts are still the safest in a roll-over unless you've got a full cage.

I see what your saying but how can just a lap belt be safer?

Lap belts alone aren't necessarily better, but the stock 3-point should be.

But my stock "three point" is a non-locking electric slider and a seperate lap belt. I think it would be safer to wrap myself in rope than race this car with the stock belts.

If you rollover with a 4 or 5 point harness without a roll cage, it can be extremely difficult to get out of the car. When the cabin deforms, its hard to determine exactly how the 4/5 point harness will be affected. You need a certain amount of space to get out of a 4/5 point harness, and if the cabin crushes around the harness (asuming the rollover doesn't crush you, but then this would be a moot point), it will effectively pin you in the car, which is the last place you want to be after a crash.

With a roll cage the cabin keeps its basic shape which makes a 4/5 point harness much safer in a rollover.

I agree, and think that a cage is the best solution. BUT, I dont think this car will be pushed to the limits of needing a cage. The car will be mostly a street car, that does some auto x, open track days, and test and tunes.

After doing a bit more research I found out the Cusco makes a four point cage for my car, but the JDM version. Mounting will take a bit more effort and I lose my glovebox.

Im really leaning toward a custom fabricated harness bar for the reasons of price, simplicity, and purpose.

custom? fabricated? then my answer would then be Nate over at S-Squared. Everything I've ever seen him fabricate is great.

If Sacramento is too far away, then I have no clue (just moved up here from Sac, so I really don't know any shops up here).

a truck store in reno has a mendrel bender if you want pm me and i will give you more details

Not doggin you on the saftey issue, because yes, saftey first. But honestly, are you really going to be putting yourself in that kind of danger with this car? Also, shouldn't you make your car faster (both performance and power... or even running correctly) before you start thinking about this kind of stuff? I'm not trying to tell you what you're doing is wrong, but maybe offering different opinions/advice.

Ryan, the reason I am thinking of this now is because I'm still unsure what I want out of the car performance wise. I may go with a midly built 2L (2g pistons, 1g rods, stock head), or decide to go deep into it and do a 2.4L with a 60 trim. I really havent made up my mind.

60 trim!

Actually, if I were to get ANY turbo right now, it would be the FP3052... *drool*
http://linux.forcedperformance.net/m...egory_Code=DSM

Alright guys, lets get back on topic. Does anyone know of a shop around here that builds cages? Sac isnt too far, but if I could find something closer that would be great.

I know it's a drive, but Nate's cages are works of art.

Is that the shop in Sacramento?

yep

really it's in Rancho Cordova but almost Sac

Is the shop s-squared?

Yes

Well alright. Ill give them a call or shoot them off an email to see what they can do. Thanks for the help guys, and Ill keep everyone informed on how it goes.