Latch vs camlock

[breakaway500]

You can get pull up or pull down style harnesses in 2 or 5 yr. lifespans. It is odd how some companies rate the pull up models for two years vs. 5 years for pull downs.

[Chrispy]

It is not weird at all, and it has nothing to do with the harness itself but rather the standard body spec to which it is certified.

SFI is rated for 2-years and FIA is rated for 5-years, but pull-up harnesses are "not allowed" under FIA rules therefor you can not get 5-year pull-up harnesses. I wanted pull-up but did not get them for this reason.

[breakaway500]

Schroth makes pull up camlock harnesses that are rated for 5 years (FIA approved) ..http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/store/schr ... lubman-iii

Excerpt from the ad:

"Why would you want this belt?
There are a couple reasons you might want this belt. Mainly cost. Drag racers, circle track racers, and many other racing bodies must have SFI 16.1 approved harnesses. While our other restraints are SFI Approved, this ruleset requires that the restraints be replaced every two years.Replacing a ~$340 restraint every two years gets pricey.

To that end, we were determined to come up with a solution to the problem. Here is a belt that meets all the same stringent specifications that our other belts do (In addition to SFI 16.1, this belt also meets FIA approvals). Yet we cut costs to price it less than competitor's belts."

[Chrispy]

That quote doesn't specify the configuration (available in multiple setups). You can call HMS to confirm since they punch the tags onsite, but I'm pretty sure that they would have to cut the FIA tag if you configure it as pull-up. It is also quite possible that the FIA changed the belt rules for this year, my information is from HMS as of last year. I'm beginning to see pull-up belts from other manufacturers as well so maybe this is the case, we can hope! My belts are configurable so I think I'll reconfigure it for pull-up.

[breakaway500]

"That quote doesn't specify the configuration (available in multiple setups)."

I bought one of these harnesses last year,in pull up style,for my Miata and it says FIA approved and has a 5 year expiration date on it. (4 years now)

I am sure you won't believe me without pictures or video,but I'm all done "helping" any more. WTF...

[cfossum]

To the OP, camlocks rule.
But I can't vouch for the up pull, I have personally found them more difficult to get sufficient tension. Then it occurred to me why. If you analyze it in a manner similar to any pulley system, there is a 2:1 mechanical advantage with the downpull setup that you do not get with the up pull variety.
-Carl

[Chrispy]

"That quote doesn't specify the configuration (available in multiple setups)."

I bought one of these harnesses last year,in pull up style,for my Miata and it says FIA approved and has a 5 year expiration date on it. (4 years now)

I am sure you won't believe me without pictures or video,but I'm all done "helping" any more. WTF...

Chill, not trying to argue I believe you, just going by what I was told and have read in a few places. I'm happy if things have changed or was given bad info. Plus if you buy a belt system that is reversible then it is a non-issue. The pull-down is a pain when you have tight spaces, i.e. door-panels and console still in the car.

[naschmitz]

"That quote doesn't specify the configuration (available in multiple setups)."

I bought one of these harnesses last year,in pull up style,for my Miata and it says FIA approved and has a 5 year expiration date on it. (4 years now)

I am sure you won't believe me without pictures or video,but I'm all done "helping" any more. WTF...

I have two of these in my Vette -- pull-up style, FIA dated tags and SFI tags.

[modifiede30]

Sounds like the Schroth are the best deal given their dual certification and extended life - at $220/belt vs around $160 for a comparable belt that's going to last only 2 years, it seems pretty straight forward - over 5 years of use, that's almost half the cost on an annual basis.

Do any clubs/groups not accept the 5 year expiration and require you to replace them in 2 years?

[jeffw]

I've never seen an issue with anyone not honoring the 5 year dates on FIA belts.