FLYNAVY53
06-01-2014, 10:54 PM
Hi guys, I'm working on a very mild build on my '69 Corvette convertible. It amounts to suspension upgrades, wilwood brakes, wheels and tires, along with aftermarket heads and cam and fuel injection on the stock 350 horse SBC. The car is a 90% street car. I make it to two or three auto cross events each summer in addition to a few passes at the drag strip, but she's certainly not approaching any mandated safety equipment thresholds.
My intent is to upgrade the seats with something more supportive, and while Im at it, I'd like to upgrade the restraint system to something more than the factory lap belt. The seats Im planning on using are the Cobra Classic CS http://cobra.subesports.com/products/cat/seats/brand/Cobra/prodID/2318
They're fixed back, with a head rest, and pass throughs for the lap belts. Ive been doing a fair amount of reading trying to determine what the best option is for upgrading the restraints. For starters, Im not putting a cage or a roll bar in (although a harness bar is an option). From what Ive read, this means I should stay away from 4,5,6 pt harnesses completely due to the inability to bend at the waist in a roll over scenario? Based on that, it sounds like a factory style 3 pt belt is the best compromise between restraint in a head on collision but maintaining the ability to bend at the waist in a rollover scenario. Unfortunately, with it being a convertible, there is no pillar to mount the factory style 3 point belt to.
So Im at a loss. I find it difficult to believe that the 45 year old factory lap belt is my best and safest option. That being said, it sounds like a 4 pt is going to kill me due to submarining and a 5 or 6 pt is going to kill me in a rollover.
Obviously when you drive an old car, you're accepting some level of risk due to the advancements in safety and restraint technology in the last half century, but if theres any way to at least reduce my chances of flying out of the car, or opening my skull via the steering wheel, I think it would be a sensible investment.
Any and all input is GREATLY appreciated!
My intent is to upgrade the seats with something more supportive, and while Im at it, I'd like to upgrade the restraint system to something more than the factory lap belt. The seats Im planning on using are the Cobra Classic CS http://cobra.subesports.com/products/cat/seats/brand/Cobra/prodID/2318
They're fixed back, with a head rest, and pass throughs for the lap belts. Ive been doing a fair amount of reading trying to determine what the best option is for upgrading the restraints. For starters, Im not putting a cage or a roll bar in (although a harness bar is an option). From what Ive read, this means I should stay away from 4,5,6 pt harnesses completely due to the inability to bend at the waist in a roll over scenario? Based on that, it sounds like a factory style 3 pt belt is the best compromise between restraint in a head on collision but maintaining the ability to bend at the waist in a rollover scenario. Unfortunately, with it being a convertible, there is no pillar to mount the factory style 3 point belt to.
So Im at a loss. I find it difficult to believe that the 45 year old factory lap belt is my best and safest option. That being said, it sounds like a 4 pt is going to kill me due to submarining and a 5 or 6 pt is going to kill me in a rollover.
Obviously when you drive an old car, you're accepting some level of risk due to the advancements in safety and restraint technology in the last half century, but if theres any way to at least reduce my chances of flying out of the car, or opening my skull via the steering wheel, I think it would be a sensible investment.
Any and all input is GREATLY appreciated!