Griff / Chim Seatbelt

[Captain Crimson]

Anyone changed to harnesses and want to sell me a seatbelt? My n/s has seized solid. Alternatively any ideas for a supplier wothout going through a dealer? Thanks in advance.

[mikeb]

If you do change over to a harness system, dont you still have to keep the old belts for the Mot?? Mike Mica Blue 350i

[Captain Crimson]

You're probably right, Mike. In that case, anyone know if the seatbelts are a standard run-of-the-mill part, or TVR specific?

[zertec]

FIA approved harnesses are not approved for road use, although I can't see plod realistically doing you for wearing one - a barrister would make him look foolish in court. However for the MOT you must have a seatbelt that is approved for the road (type will depend on the age of the vehicle, if the car is old enough then a seatbelt is not compulsory). This is why when people fit harnesses they keep the normal sealtbelt as well even if they don't use it. We have designed the new Zertec seats so that harnesses or 3-point seatbelts can be worn (harnesses take longer to do-up and can be too much effort when poping down to the shops). Clive Reed Zertec Limited [e-mail] www.zertec.co.uk

[apache]

any pics/prices yet Clive, my wife finds the original belt cuts into her neck a bit under braking and I'd be interested in an alternative that wont break the bank

[JonRB]

That's interesting - mine says the same. She wants me to buy a set of those awful seat-belt pads that are favoured by the Saxo / Nova / XR2 brigade. Oh god. There must be an alternative that doesn't involve teetering on the brink of the slippery slope towards Max Power.

[apache]

got them, don't look as daft as you'd think in a car that actually needs them plus they stop the belt from trying to slice your ear off when you a re cruising at mach 1.2, which is why I got them

[JonRB]

I've told her that I'll buy a set, but only if they're black and either logo-less or have TVR on them. She replied that she'd intended that all along, so I guess that's not so bad. Does anybody know if you can get them plain, or do I have to buy a set with "SPARCO" written all over them and then unpick the sewn-on logo? Or, even better, is there a set available with a TVR logo? Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 29th August 08:55

[kneilson]

I doubt if harnesses could be viewed as anything but an improvement in safety as I have a brand new Griffith that has just covered 1700 miles and both of the seatbelts are fraying already. Henley Heritage are looking after it as a warranty issue. I suspect it's due to the crap mounting position that barely makes them usable at the best of times.

[caro]

Interesting - my Chimaera seatbelts were fraying at under 10,000 miles and have been replaced under warranty too. I was told there is only one mounting position (ooer etc) so it sounds like an inherent fault. Have also noticed the seatbelt attempting to slice into the neck problem: are those things you mentioned available at ordinary motor factors, Apache?

[JonRB]

They're available from places like Halfords, Road User, Demon Tweeks (http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/), damn near anywhere. The trick is getting them without logos. The average buyer likes logos. Absolutely vital for getting a few extra mph out of your Saxo, you see. Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 29th August 13:34

[ohidunno]

If they only have logos on one side could you not fit them back to front?

[DIGGA]

Fitted 4 point harnesses to my car a year or so back (with roll cage), and have seen several benefits. Most importantly, they stop you sliding around on the nice shiny seats. Especially useful on the track, or during 'enthusastic' driving. I imagine that in a crash (hope none of us ever verifies this), particularly a roll, you're far better off with the harnesses. Used to loathe the snatchy action of the std inertia reels, and although the harnesses are fixed, they're no worse. I also used to find the belts rubbed (can't see why, as I'm above average height) and imagine they're even more uncomfortable for shorter people. - Marcus & Ocean Haze Griff 500

[caro]

Thanks JonRB, I'll check it out (I'm not mad about logos either). Still, having driven a hired Saxo over the past two weeks on hols, I can see why they'd try anything to increase the mph!