Stock belt with Pole Position seat issue

[thorny]

I've been running Recaro Pole Position seat for quite some time and now I love it on the street and even more so on the track. But one thing keeps bugging me - stock seat belt kind of rides on my neck when I drive. I find myself constantly moving it down on the shoulder, but it comes back too close to my neck and i dont like the sensation.

It could be that I am running my seat on the highest 4th hole up front (recaro aluminum side mount) when most people install the seat on the 3rd highest hole. But it gives me slightly more tilt and I plan on keeping it this way.

Any suggestions apart from running race harness? Thanks

[LiM3y]

Belt shoulder pad?

[Porschefile]

I know you don't want harnesses but that's really the way to go. I had 997 GT3 seats in my cayman and the stock seat belt doesn't secure you that well in a race seat where the driver is recessed into the seat and the belt is along the top. I don't know if you have your belts rigged differently, but it was almost a necessity for me to run harnesses. The belt is riding funny because it isn't designed for an aggressive fixed-back race seat.

You can get decent harnesses for $200 or so each anyway, I never felt much of a difference between $400-500 Schroths and less expensive cam locks.

[thorny]

Originally Posted by LiM3y

Belt shoulder pad?

hmm, never thought about running one. I'll look into it for now before running harness..

[thorny]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

I know you don't want harnesses but that's really the way to go. I had 997 GT3 seats in my cayman and the stock seat belt doesn't secure you that well in a race seat where the driver is recessed into the seat and the belt is along the top. I don't know if you have your belts rigged differently, but it was almost a necessity for me to run harnesses. The belt is riding funny because it isn't designed for an aggressive fixed-back race seat.

You can get decent harnesses for $200 or so each anyway, I never felt much of a difference between $400-500 Schroths and less expensive cam locks.

I agree with you. I think eventually I'll switch to harness, but want a temporary solution for now. I think I'll try a shoulder pad and see how that works.

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by thorny

hmm, never thought about running one. I'll look into it for now before running harness..

You can get them for a few bucks from Autozone. Schroth have ones that use a velcro tab to hold in place and better quality foam padding.

[Fab_vr6]

May I ask where did you purchase your pole position and the slider/mount? Looking to buy a set myself, thanks

[Chemicals]

Isn't it dangerous to go with a harness and no rollcage/helmet accompanying it?

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by Chemicals

Isn't it dangerous to go with a harness and no rollcage/helmet accompanying it?

Up for debate. There is a camp that believes that somehow in the event of a roll w/o a harness you can maneuver your head to not get crushed, but IMO if the roof collapses it won't matter whether you have a harness or not, you're likely dead. I ran a harness bar in the Cayman FWIW.

[LiM3y]

It is worth noting that the stock restraint is designed to hold you bolt upright in the event of a crash or rollover. It is also worth noting that the A,B and C pillars in modern cars are significantly stronger than in earlier designs and specifically designed to maintain the integrity of the cockpit in a rollover. Apparently, most roll-overs put pressure on the A-pillar, rather than a total pancake when you land on the roof, and this pillar is particularly strong in modern designs.

At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide what risks you are prepared to take, and what precautions you take to mitigate them.

[thorny]

Originally Posted by Fab_vr6

May I ask where did you purchase your pole position and the slider/mount? Looking to buy a set myself, thanks

I got the whole package from EAS. I recommend steel mounts, mine squeeks a little, someone said coz its aluminum...

[thorny]

Originally Posted by Chemicals

Isn't it dangerous to go with a harness and no rollcage/helmet accompanying it?

I think the debate is overrated, if I go with harness, I'd consider a new Challenge harness bar. Some people say it is a waste of money, but I think it is a nice solution for a coupe. I would run a 4-point red Sabelt, I just like how Sabelt looks.

[Fab_vr6]

Hey thorny, Any pics to share of your recaro setup?

[thorny]

here you go

[thorny]

here is my shoulder pad. Works great!

[Fab_vr6]

Thanks for the pics! I have a AW E92 with red interior too, have been going back and forth thinking what color of Recaros should I get. I guess the cloth black doesnt look too bad ! any more pics from another angle?

[thorny]

I think black looks best. Other colors are way too bright. You can;t go wrong with black. Red is nowhere close to stock Fox Red.

[Car54]

Can you pass the shoulder belt through the shoulder harness? Have any pics of your lap receptacle?

[thorny]

Originally Posted by Car54

Can you pass the shoulder belt through the shoulder harness? Have any pics of your lap receptacle?

Sorry, not quite understand your question. This is the only way to run stock belt with race seat, if this is what you're asking. I dont have more pics. Receptacle is stock and it is attached to the seat hardware.

[Car54]

Instead of routing the shoulder harness around the seat, can you route it through the left shoulder harness hole?

How do you connect your seatbelt to the receptacle? Through the right lap hole or over the top of the seat?

[thorny]

Originally Posted by Car54

Instead of routing the shoulder harness around the seat, can you route it through the left shoulder harness hole?

How do you connect your seatbelt to the receptacle? Through the right lap hole or over the top of the seat?

I would say no, it aint gonna work. And on the second question - over the top. You will need racing harness to take advantage of holes.. At least this is how I see it. I am yet to see someone routing stock belt in a way different from mine.

[Car54]

You have to get a custom receptacle fabbed up so that it's below your lap hole. Or you need to have the lap receptacle extend up through the hole slightly. Wouldn't that fix your shoulder rubbing issue?

Is the lap belt around your torso or over your hip bone?