Thoughts On Brey-Krause Harness Truss?

[911MANN]

I'm thinking of reinstalling my old Recaro SPG Profi driver's seat in my 1983 911SC, as I really miss the sporty feel it gave me. I had been using it for decades along with a 4-point harness, although my installation was not 100% Kosher. My car's suspension is set quite stiff, and that seat seemed to complement the handling quite well.

Given the minor challenges of mounting the tunnel-side receptor when using the factory 3-point seatbelt, I'm wondering if the Brey-Krause Harness Truss, along with a harness isn't another good option. I just don't see much of anything written about this BK device. This car may not ever see HPDE events anymore, but I still miss the feel of the Recaro during sporty drives. I'm not trying to project an image of RickyRacer, but I feel like trying that Recaro again, this time using a proper belt or harness mounting.

Can anyone offer thoughts or experiences re: using the B-K Harness Truss in a 911SC or 3.2 Carrera? Thanks in advance.

[Locker537]

What was wrong with your 4-point installation? I assume the should straps were mounted to something not structural?

[mikesarge]

I use the brey-krause truss in my car. I’ve got schroth 6-point harnesses for track use, along with stock seatbelts for street use. Never truly used them I guess (car has fortunately stayed shiny-side-up and off the walls) but I followed schroth’s mounting instructions and all seems good to me. I always pass tech at the track anyway!

[911MANN]

Thanks for your responses so far.

Locker537- My shoulder belts went directly to the rear seatbelt anchors, but with no guide bar. I reupholstered all the leather and reinstalled my rear seatback and rear seatbelts, and I want to keep them intact. I like my old Sabelt harness, but it has no Anti-Submarine feature.

Mikesarge- For convenience, I am considering the Schroth 4-point harness with Anti-Submarine feature (no plans to track the car). Question: Which seat are you using, and how do you fasten your seatbelt for street use? I want to run my belt through the slot in the bolster for a snug fit. Thanks

[David Inc.]

No cage no harness, no helmet no cage. Don't want to roll your car over, have your roof collapse, and find your torso and head can't move to the side because you're strapped in with a harness.

[jac1976]

Originally Posted by David Inc.

No cage no harness, no helmet no cage. Don't want to roll your car over, have your roof collapse, and find your torso and head can't move to the side because you're strapped in with a harness.

Schroth addresses this with ASM

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by 911MANN

Locker537- My shoulder belts went directly to the rear seatbelt anchors, but with no guide bar. I reupholstered all the leather and reinstalled my rear seatback and rear seatbelts, and I want to keep them intact. I like my old Sabelt harness, but it has no Anti-Submarine feature.

Based on Schroth Racing instructions, the shoulder belts of a racing harness should be angled downwards from the shoulders, at no more than 20 degrees from horizontal.

Seat limitations: Most racing seats aren't designed to carry crash loads from downward installations of shoulder belts. Refer to Schroth's list of approved seats for exceptions allowing up to a 45-degree downward angle.

Harness bar mounting: When mounting to a harness bar, the bar should ideally be located within 8 inches behind the seat to facilitate the proper belt angle.

Contact HMS Motorsport to discuss your application with them. FWIW, there is also a recommended lap belt mounting angle.

Instead of using harnesses for the street, consider manually locking the three point seatbelt retractor (by sliding the seat back, manipulating the belt until the retractor locks, then maintain tension on the belt while readjusting the seat to the original forward position).

I've never used one, but there's also a CG lock to manually lock the lap portion of the belt.

[911MANN]

Frank- I had hoped you would chime in, as I had read your informative thread started 5/23/20. All those gymnastics noted in your thread and in the many other threads led me to this point. Bill V has been a superb resource also- a big thanks to him as well.

I have a question or two re: your thread, and to maintain continuity, I'll raise your old thread again and post them there. Stay tuned, and thanks for engaging.

[unclebilly]

RacerBVD believes that his Brey Kraus harness bar saved his life in his 968… ��

I think these are fine and do what is intended on them. If critical to get your harness height correct and these can do that.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

RacerBVD believes that his Brey Kraus harness bar saved his life in his 968… ��

I think these are fine and do what is intended on them. If critical to get your harness height correct and these can do that.

It definitely was a positive factor, and I have one going in one of my 911s.
Angle of the belts is very important, read the instructions with any harness, and be it the BK Truss, bar or one of the other “guide” bars out there. One of the reasons why they’re so important is if the harness is not attached properly and mounted to the floor, without the bar, to have the proper angle, if you do roll the car, the shoulder harness will pull down and your shoulders with them. You can clearly tell who has never been in a car with harnesses, as his BS that EMTs couldn’t get them to release, hell, they are much easier for the EMTs to release than the standard belts, which typically fasten to or near the center tunnel, while be it a buckle or a latch system, being centered and very easy release. I’ve been doing track events since the 80s, like the 968, I use my street/track cars on the road, with 4 point harnesses (I typically don’t use the crotch strap on the street) and it is very easy to get off.

There is a reason why it is called a “Guide” or Harness Bar, as it guides the belts for the proper angle, not a safety mechanism . The BK unit is without a doubt, the nicest one on the market, the bar is nice, but the truss not only guides, but does add some rigidity to your 911.



I’ve only been using this 944 since around 2006 or 2008, so I’ve had some time to form my opinions

[Racerbvd]

Pictures of the mentioned 968 crashed T-boned, since I have actually been in close to the worst case scenario the author is asking about.
Before.



After;

[Racerbvd]

Remember, I’m not like most teenagers, I will be 60 next week.





And I didn’t get 3 steps before the F150 nailed me.

[jac1976]

Byron,

Glad you’re okay.

Jac