19 replies to this topic

[Tonie Pettersson]

After the last track day I got some motivation to do some work on the VX220. Decided to give it a go and install the Tillett B6F I bought a while ago.

Removed the cover for the handbrake and gear assembly to get some extra space and got the seat in position (the only position possible).

The problem is there is no room for the eye bolt closest to the gear cables. Here´s a few pictures

 

 

The other side, lots and lots of room

 

 

I had an idea of drilling a hole in the seat mount and place the eye bolt there with a nut (as in the picture) but I suppose the idea is to have the harness mount separated from the seat mount.

 

Any ideas?

[Mike (Cliffie)]

I bolted the eyebolts throughout the seat subframes as the original seat belt mountings are on the original subframe - not on the chassis.

[Zoobeef]

Most put them through the single skin floor with a spreader plate underneath.

[fiveoclock]

Most put them through the single skin floor with a spreader plate underneath.

Which is where they should be so that in an impact if the seat rips out taking the mounts with it you'll be restrained and wont fly around the inside of the car nicely harnessed to the seat!!!

[Tonie Pettersson]

@Mike: Didn't even thought of that, but as you say oem is bolted in seat mounts. Would be the easiest solution for me. @Zoobeef and fiveoclock: It feels week with just the single skin aluminium. Guess it will need big spreader plates. I have the spreader plates shown in picture 6 http://www.primauto....istructions.pdf but as you can see there's no room for it.

[Arno]

Eyebolts and spreaders are put under the rear chassis rail, not just the single-skin floor!   Lotus doc on the install of a seat and 6-point harness: Lotus Harness install guide   Looks like the Tillet mounts are designed too wide compared to the Lotus install kit. Perhaps shave off some of the width on the rear mounting point to make the eyebolt sit next to the mount.   Bye, Arno.

[Tonie Pettersson]

That´s the document I´m trying to follow.

Have to take a closer look on the seat mount if I can come up with a solution. Could be tricky though, since the spreader plate has a flange (diameter 25mm) that will intrude on the M8 for the seat mount.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Most put them through the single skin floor with a spreader plate underneath.

Which is where they should be so that in an impact if the seat rips out taking the mounts with it you'll be restrained and wont fly around the inside of the car nicely harnessed to the seat!!!

Mine passed scrutineering for two years like that. Was it wrong all along? In fairness though Mark, the shoulders are fastened to the cage or harness bar ang the crutch strap through the floor.

Edited by Mike (Cliffie), 20 July 2016 - 07:52 PM.

[fiveoclock]

Eyebolts and spreaders are put under the rear chassis rail, not just the single-skin floor!   Lotus doc on the install of a seat and 6-point harness: Lotus Harness install guide    

In that link some are and some aren't

[fiveoclock]

 

 

Most put them through the single skin floor with a spreader plate underneath.

Which is where they should be so that in an impact if the seat rips out taking the mounts with it you'll be restrained and wont fly around the inside of the car nicely harnessed to the seat!!!

Mine passed scrutineering for two years like that. Was it wrong all along?

 

The scrutineers that check my car wouldnt allow that as the blue book states that all anchor points must be on the chassis or body shell which includes the floor and the required size spreader plates used if not mounted on or through the chassis

[Mike (Cliffie)]

 

 

 

Most put them through the single skin floor with a spreader plate underneath.

Which is where they should be so that in an impact if the seat rips out taking the mounts with it you'll be restrained and wont fly around the inside of the car nicely harnessed to the seat!!!

Mine passed scrutineering for two years like that. Was it wrong all along?

 

The scrutineers that check my car wouldnt allow that as the blue book states that all anchor points must be on the chassis or body shell which includes the floor and the required size spreader plates used if not mounted on or through the chassis

 

Blue Book stipulates Chassis, body or roll over bar so I broke the rules for two years. Shows how good our scrutineers were.

 

I was always nervous bolting through the aluminium floor even with spreader plates.

[The Batman]

Can you not bolt it through the part where the frame bolts to?

[Doctor Ed]

Remind me why seats rip out in accidents and the harness should be separate? I'd just be using the eyes as the seat rail fastener itself. Spreader plates are already integrated into the seat mounts on the chassis extrusions (as with practically every OEM seatbelt, the anchor is part of the seat, and uses the seat mounting to fasten to the chassis). Only if you run out of space or need a 6pt anchor would I be thinking of getting creative. (Or some other race specification says you 'must' run separate anchors through the floor with fia spreader plates etc). But even then, usually if you're using OEM anchor locations, it's not necessary

Edited by Doctor Ed, 21 July 2016 - 09:44 AM.

[fiveoclock]

Remind me why seats rip out in accidents

Why? Have you forgotten?

[Doctor Ed]

im sorry, was that an answer or a question?

 

the guy isnt building an FIA spec race car, use the std mounts. if you think coupling the seats and belts into the same anchor is dangerous, please provide the details of your class action against the worlds automotve manufacturing industry

[fiveoclock]

im sorry, was that an answer or a question?  

Question. Hence the question marks.

[fiveoclock]

im sorry, was that an answer or a question?   the guy isnt building an FIA spec race car, use the std mounts. if you think coupling the seats and belts into the same anchor is dangerous, please provide the details of your class action against the worlds automotve manufacturing industry

Who said it was dangerous for his application/use? That was a question. No one said it was dangerous. Preferable to not have them on the seat/seat fixing point and certainly necessary for competition use but no one said dangerous.

[Doctor Ed]

Which is where they should be so that in an impact if the seat rips out taking the mounts with it you'll be restrained and wont fly around the inside of the car nicely harnessed to the seat!!!

i guess i misinterpreted your dramatisation

[SteveA]

Its one of the reasons Caterham racing get you to sign a disclaimer if you are using a standard Tillett instead of a bag seat (or advise you to pack behind the seat). If you go backwards into something and the seat shears it creates a lot of slack in the harness when the seat goes backwards into the space behind.

Edited by SteveA, 22 July 2016 - 09:23 AM.

[Tonie Pettersson]

Thanks guys for all the input. I think I just drill a hole in the seat mount (picture 3). It's a 6-point harness so four of the contact points are in floor/roll bar.