WTB: E36 sedan safety equipment

[Senor_Taylor]

You need a Snell "SA" helmet (i.e. a racing helmet, not a motorcycle helmet) if you go W2W, but HANS tethers can be added to any helmet. I'd recommend a SA helmet and the tethers instead of adding them to a cheaper helmet.

VAC sells the "adapter kit" for the seat belt which is the best option if you want plug and play: https://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-fac...p2072.aspx

Keep in mind you only need that for the driver's side, technically.

The stock BMW tow hooks are allowable and work fine, should be able to snag another one from a junkyard so you have two.

1) my helmet is BRAND new, so I'll be using that until/if I go W2W. I'll look into the Hans Kit.

2) if I have antique tags, I won't need the regular 3 point buckle. Is it dumb to just use harnesses on the street? The lap belts would arguably be safer than stock, but the shoulder belts would be iffy. Opinions there? $100+ is a lot to swallow considering the lap belt won't actually fit over a deep racing seat anyway.

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I'm not going to find any way to mount the seats better/cheaper than this, right? Floor adapters and side mount brackets are the right way?

https://store.vacmotorsports.com/race-se...p1605.aspx

https://store.garagistic.com/BMW-E36-E46...SbEALw_wcB

[Scott]

You need a Snell "SA" helmet (i.e. a racing helmet, not a motorcycle helmet) if you go W2W, but HANS tethers can be added to any helmet. I'd recommend a SA helmet and the tethers instead of adding them to a cheaper helmet.

I second this.  If you do not have a SA helmet do some serious research about adding HANS tethers to a non-SA helmet.  You want a HANS (or equivalent) on track, so get the right helmet for track use.

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2) if I have antique tags, I won't need the regular 3 point buckle. Is it dumb to just use harnesses on the street? The lap belts would arguably be safer than stock, but the shoulder belts would be iffy. Opinions there? $100+ is a lot to swallow considering the lap belt won't actually fit over a deep racing seat anyway.

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I've been using the 6 point harness in my "track" Miata with antique tags for years.  

*however I only put about 200 miles on it a year total lately.

[Jake]

Yeah, if you're going to run Antique tags and not street-drive it beyond to and from track events, just run the 6-points. The benefit of keeping the 3-point is to pass safety inspection, and a harness fails because there is no red button that says "Press" on it to release the buckle. FWIW I never ended up retaining the 3-points in my M3, I halfheartedly tried to and just never bothered for the year or so that I drove it to events before getting a trailer.

[Kaan]

holy BMW tax... those mounts are pricey. I thought I got ball'n Honda ones... lord have mercy

[Senor_Taylor]

Those garagistic brackets and mounts are on sale and I could get both sides for less than $450. Should I do it?

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[D_Eclipse9916]

Brey Krause seat mounts and be done. I currently have Brey Krause in my E46. OG Racing discount helps too....

(one piece so its both the side bracket and seat mount)

[Evan]

Yeah, if you're going to run Antique tags and not street-drive it beyond to and from track events, just run the 6-points.

And never ever go through a drive through :-p


btw, you can get DOT approved 5/6 points if you need to pass inspection with them. More expensive than standard gforce belts though.

[Jake]

btw,  you can get DOT approved 5/6 points if you need to pass inspection with them.    More expensive than standard gforce belts though.

I never knew that was a thing, always heard anything not 3-point was a fail. TIL.

[Senor_Taylor]

All I can think about is my head flying off my shoulders in a light frontal impact on the way to the track.

[JPolen01]

All I can think about is my head flying off my shoulders in a light frontal impact on the way to the track.

Just wear the helmet and HANS. Problem solved.

[Evan]

btw,  you can get DOT approved 5/6 points if you need to pass inspection with them.    More expensive than standard gforce belts though.

I never knew that was a thing, always heard anything not 3-point was a fail. TIL.

Unfortunately some inspectors take assumptions/ liberties with inspection code.

I was told by an inspector that he would fail my lotus becuase its factory steering wheel was too small

Another inspector told me that he would fail my lotus because the seats didnt slide.

neither are inspection criteria,  which you can look up in the code of virginia.  

a raceseat/rollbar'ed car is going to make some inspectors head assplode no matter how technically legal it is,  so you have to find the right guy that either knows the law or thinks your car is cool.

[rherold9]

Just wear the helmet and HANS. Problem solved.

[Senor_Taylor]

So, is it unsafe to mount the side mount brackets directly to the floor like this? Seems like a good way to mount the passenger seat, then buy the adjustable things for the driver seat?

What exactly are the seat mounting options? Or do you HAVE to use the seat brackets and an adapter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JnX_MgTnVs

[Senor_Taylor]

Okay, I snagged, a VAC matrix floor adapter for a good price. Luckily, UPS has delivered this to the incorrect address, the same as the past 48190321 packages I've ordered.

I also ordered one of these: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showt...3-Roll-Bar and some side mounts for the seats. I think I'm just a steering wheel and harness mounting hardware away.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Okay, I snagged, a VAC matrix floor adapter for a good price. Luckily, UPS has delivered this to the incorrect address, the same as the past 48190321 packages I've ordered.

I also ordered one of these: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showt...3-Roll-Bar and some side mounts for the seats.  I think I'm just a steering wheel and harness mounting hardware away.

I gotchu on the harness mounting hardware.  Remind me next week before I head up.

[navin]

I have a 350mm Momo Monte carlo (blk w/red stitch) I might be selling if you are interested. Basically brand new.

[Senor_Taylor]

Okay, I snagged, a VAC matrix floor adapter for a good price. Luckily, UPS has delivered this to the incorrect address, the same as the past 48190321 packages I've ordered.

I also ordered one of these: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showt...3-Roll-Bar and some side mounts for the seats.  I think I'm just a steering wheel and harness mounting hardware away.

I gotchu on the harness mounting hardware.  Remind me next week before I head up.

Cool cool! I've been bothering you pretty regularly, so that shouldn't be a problem.

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I have a 350mm Momo Monte carlo (blk w/red stitch) I might be selling if you are interested. Basically brand new.

Yeah, let's talk. Not sure what size the E36 wheel is, or the dish of that Momo wheel. May he a little rich for my blood.

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[rherold9]

I have a regular sized Sparco Sprint seat I just pulled out of Miata as well as a 6 point I can sell if you'd like them

[Senor_Taylor]

Zach needs stuff for his Miata. I'm covered in seats and harnesses between DJ, Tian, Kaan, and Jim Khoury. I think.

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