Harness Bar vs. Kirk Racing Roll Bar

[RaceBredS14]

Im getting some seats from the bucket seats group buy and i want to be able to mount my harnesses appropriately so its a toss up between a corsport harness bar and a kirk racing roll bar which is made with a harness bar. Im also wondering if you are able to keep full interior with the kirk racing roll bar and if it just bolts in. Thanks guys and im open to all opinions.

[DreamN]

why not ask the folks that make/sell the roll bar?

[bboyoracle]

You can also get a auto-power 4-point roll bar w/ harness bar. Its bolt on an allows you to keep your interior.

[g6civcx]

im open to all opinions.

I recommend S&W weld-in for cost. Get at least the rear 6point cage.

Harnesses are dangerous if the roof can collapse. Search in motorsports forums. This topic has been discussed many times.

[RaceBredS14]

So you guys recommend the roll bar over the harness bar?? I heard the kirk was pretty beefy compared to the autopower which is not so much.

[g6civcx]

So you guys recommend the roll bar over the harness bar?

I assume you mean this bar: CorSport Online Store: Nissan - 89-94 Nissan 240SX - 11020 (http://www.corsportusa.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=93_99&products_id=1663)

As I said above: "Harnesses are dangerous if the roof can collapse."


So yes, I recommend the rollbar over the harness bar. Ideally you would get a full rollcage, but if you don't want to go all out then the rollbar is the next best thing.

I heard the kirk was pretty beefy compared to the autopower which is not so much.

Kirk does custom rollbars/rollcages so you can specify the materials you want. Same with Autopower, but maybe to a lesser extent.

Either is acceptable for tech inspection.

[Flicktitty]

just a FYI NRG also makes a harness bar now.

but i agree if you can fund it, i would get a cage/roll bar.

[RaceBredS14]

Ok i guess your reasoning behind saying its unsafe if the roof collapses would be because you would be trapped which makes a lot of sense. thanks for the input guys i really appreciate it. Also how strict is tech as far as seat inspection goes. Are they really strict about what is FIA approved or what not??

[ronmcdon]

I don't think you can go wrong with autopower or kirk.
my personal experience with Autopwer 4pt ROLL BARS has been good, although I've only used them on my crx, & miata.
I bought both bars used too, without issue.
Fitment isn't absolutely perfect, but it is reasonable and serves it's purpose well enough.
For the $300-$500, it's hard to go wrong.

I haven't used one for my 240 yet, but I am contemplating the possibilities too.
as soon as a I see a good used 4-pt autopower or comparable part for my S14 for sale, I am jumping on it. :)

Haven't had any personal experience with Kirk, but I've heard good things about them.
I say just get whatever is cheapest, get some extra padding just incase, and call it a day.

[ronmcdon]

Ok i guess your reasoning behind saying its unsafe if the roof collapses would be because you would be trapped which makes a lot of sense. thanks for the input guys i really appreciate it. Also how strict is tech as far as seat inspection goes. Are they really strict about what is FIA approved or what not??

How strict is tech depends on what organization you're working with.
For instance, NASA (and I think SCCA) don't approve the Cusco bars.
That's not to say those bars are no good, but just that they're not approved.
Some organizers don't allow convertibles without a roll bar period.
With the seat, there might be some harness requirements.

On my old CRX, I used to have a Sparco Rev seat bolted down with Sparco brakets.
I had Corbeau 5-pt harness installed by my mechanic (don't want to risk something like that, even if it looks easy).
Also had the Autopower 4-pt w/ harness bar built in.
It passed tech fine at events with the SCCA autoX, clubs like Speedventures & Time Trials USA.

As general rule of thumb, an autopower/kirk bar should be sufficient for most track day enthusiast needs.

[g6civcx]

Some organizers don't allow convertibles without a roll bar period.


FYI, SCCA Solo II doesn't require convertible rollbars.

Check with your sanctioning body.

[RaceBredS14]

so they arent really looking at the seat as much as they are looking at the harness and how its mounted as well as the roll bar/cage??

[ronmcdon]

FYI, SCCA Solo II doesn't require convertible rollbars.

Check with your sanctioning body.

precisely, you pretty much have to check every time you do an event with a given organization.
it depends on the rules of the organization in question.
lol, it also depends on how strictly those rules are reinforced.

One of the hpde run groups I run with, tell you to basically tech yourself!
However, they strictly reinforce driving rules on the track & track conditions, so their events runs smooth for the most part.
I've never even gotten busted for drinking coffee & listening to music (when stuck in traffic of course).
I use a motorcycle helmut, and nobody cares.
I follow all rules otherwise and strive to be as considerate to other drivers and ppl as possible.
I personally love it.

Another run group I drove with a few times before is anal as hell with tech inspection, "Remove those Broadway mirrors!", "take out that trash inside your trunk!", "you have the wrong helmet!" but have inappropriate driving rules that aren't reinforced anyways.
Tech guys are kinda nice, but it's always a pita affair that lasts at least 15 mins, even if I'm driving a newer stock car.
Track sessions are very unsafe b/c of poor passing rules and reinforcement.
Overall I don't care for that particular group very much.

[ronmcdon]

so they arent really looking at the seat as much as they are looking at the harness and how its mounted as well as the roll bar/cage??

I get the impression that seems to be the case.
Never I had some super anal tech inspector check if my seats were FIA certified to the appropriate date.
They will check if you seat, rollbar, & harness are securely bolted down, which is reasonable imo.