Five point harness mounting in E30

[makaio]

Does anyone have any insight or pictures on the best mounting position for the shoulder belts of a 5 point harness in a E30?

Does anyone have an Autopower rollbar in their car as well?

[jase007]

Matt:

Does your autopower roll bar have a diagonal and a shoulder harness horizontal bar? By your asking the Q I am guessing not. I would suggest adding one to the bar so that the harnesses are mounted right behind you seat (on the bar). Also allows you to add a seat back brace which many racing organizations (club or otherwise) require. Do both with one modification.

It is the best setup for safety and should you ever get a HANS device, include loops on the shoulder harness bar that are close together. Meaning, guide loops for the shoulder harnesses (or where they'll wrap around the bar itself that prevents them from spreading apart (crucial to making a HANS sork correctly).

FWIW

Jase

[makaio]

Thanks Jase. I don't have a roll bar or cage for the car yet. I have been looking at a few different makes, but I have an Autopower in my 78 911 and like it, so I thought I might use the same brand for my BMW.

[jase007]

Matt:

I have seen a few IO Port Racing "autopower" bars in some E30s and the install looked pretty clean. If you are happy with the one in your '78, stick with them. Do you want a weld-in or a bolt-in?

Jason

[joelkaplan]

I am building an e 30 DE car..... just instlld AP 4 pt bolt in...nice fit but not great( maybe 2 finger space bet top hoop and roof)..other wise its good for 400 bucks....VSR fits better and Kirk is just as good...... w/ a harness bar the shoulder belts just wrap around.......

[jim72911t]

Matt,

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but are you going to run the stock sport seats in your 325is? Just wondering what you were planning on doing with the sub belt.

As far as the shoulder belts go, a BMW DE friend with an E30 325is Hotrod runs his five point belts back to the rear seat belts. Not sure if he runs a harness bar or not, but something tells me not. I can email him for more info and pics if you like.

I know its a bit early, but are you planning on the BMW CCA HPDE on August 20-21 at T-Hill? If you haven't done a CCA school, I highly recommend it. Excellent instructors and a great emphasis on fun and safety. It's been about two years since I've been on the track (buying a house sure cuts into the BMW and Porsche track budget , ) but I plan on being there.

Jim

[joelkaplan]

my e 30 AP 4 pt rb





and



fit is good for the price. VSR may fit better. For 5 pt: use oe outboard holes frm stock seat belt, inboard many drill holes into tranny tunnel and use eye bolts. For stock seats many just run lap belt over front of seat bottom but thats not so great....