sparco harness bar - questions about fitment

oldlady · 07-03-2008, 01:47 PM

i just installed my sparco harness bar into my 06 sti and i'm having doubts whether it looks correct.

should it be sitting that far back? i've seen pics of the "ebay harness bar" which sits pretty much directly behind the driver (which looks right to me), but the sparco doesnt.

any feedback would be great.

thanks!

Tweeter · 07-03-2008, 02:35 PM

looks a LITTLE farther back than normal, how far are your seats moved back though?

oldlady · 07-03-2008, 02:57 PM

driver side is far up enough and upright. passenger side is all the way back.

i also noticed that compared to the sparco instructions, mine has tabs which attach to the bar, which attach to the seatbelt towers versus just the bar which attaches to the seatbelt towers.. the instructions actually dont even mention the tabs..

edit: added more pics to original post..

MGizzle · 07-03-2008, 04:42 PM

Dude......WTF?!?!?! That is not a SPARCO bar that I have ever seen?? Where did you get it from??

Mine looks exactly like yours but WITHOUT the tabs going to the seatbelts. That in my opinion is the worst thing they could've done (if sparco did it). And yes, it is sitting way way behind.

My tabs are solid but yours seem to be held by a M8 bolt ... that is crazy man.

Looking forward to your feedback because I can not believe what I am seeing.

oldlady · 07-03-2008, 04:45 PM

yeah, thought mine looked kinda funky.. i got it directly from speedware motorsports...

***sciolist*** · 07-03-2008, 07:08 PM

My Sparco bar has the tabs welded directly to the top tube.

Only reason I can see for the design pictured is streamlining the fab process (aka cheapness). Definitely a step backward. Bad on Speedware, but not a surprise.

oldlady · 07-03-2008, 07:59 PM

sciolist, does your bar sit as far back as mine though?

and yes, it does make sense that about making it cost less for them.. this bar was fresh from their powdercoaters, so it's their current offering.

**2blue4usti** · 07-03-2008, 08:06 PM

McGizzle is just jealous......bar looks fine to me. I have the bar with the welded tabs.....wanna trade? I can see where your bar would be more versatile in that you can remove it and reinstall it when needed. Also, by having it sit farther back it address's the issue of not restricting the seat reclinert. All good IMHO.

oldlady · 07-03-2008, 10:35 PM

2blue4usti, thanks for your input. makes me feel better about the bar. it is afterall pretty darn secure. i could grab it and shake my car with it! and yes, it's REALLY convenient to remove it during non-track days.

btw, dont think MGizzle was jealous-just concerned for my sake

(ihope!)

***sciolist*** · 07-04-2008, 12:44 PM

It does appear that the bar pictured sets further back than mine. Mine isn't currently in the car, so I'm going on memory.

To clarify, I don't think there's anything inherently dangerous about that design, just see the original as being superior.

MGizzle · 07-04-2008, 05:50 PM

Honestly, I am not jaleous, just shocked that somebody would slap a SPARCO name on that. I wouldn't put this bar in my car if it was free and I got my reasons. Yes, your bar sits a lot more back than the original bar. This is not bad (gives you more room for your seats). However, look at the 4th picture you posted. If that doesn't scare the crap out of you than I don't know what will. That bolt seems to be threaded into the guset, which means it is in single shear. I don't see it coming to the other side of the clamp portion. That bolt is also not very thick if you ask me.

Finally, You get 0 stiffnees increase from that bar but most people don't care about that.

Now, you state it is from speedware?? What does that mean? It is a knock off SPARCO bar?? Go to SPARCO's website and you will not find the bar you have. I was only able to find the bar that I have and have always seen.

I am still in shock, seriously.

oldlady · 07-04-2008, 06:05 PM

I'm not surprised I would get 0 stiffness increase from it, wasn't expecting it - just stating that it is rather secure in the car.

And yes, I am a tad concerned re: the M2 bolt..

In any case, Speedware Motorsports fabricates the bar for Sparco USA. I have emailed Sparco USA and asked re: this 'new' design. Hope to hear back from them..

**2blue4usti** · 07-05-2008, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldlady

2blue4usti, thanks for your input. makes me feel better about the bar. it is afterall pretty darn secure. i could grab it and shake my car with it! and yes, it's REALLY convenient to remove it during non-track days.

btw, dont think MGizzle was jealous-just concerned for my sake

(ihope!)

Just teasing Mgizzle.....he can get me at the Eastside meet

.

And yes, your bar extends farther to the rear.

MGizzle · 07-05-2008, 05:47 PM

2blue, please don't think I took you jaleous comment personal .... hope it didn't come out that way

That bolt is just killin' me man. Now, I hope it is not a M2 bolt cause that would be a thinny Mofo. In any case, I just don't understand why they would not at least make it go through the entire clamp portion and put it in double shear. Then why use such a skinny bolt?!!!? I also don't understand why they didn't use the clamp portion on the Tab that mounts to the seat belt bolt and then use a fat 3/8's or something bigger single tab on the bar portion (sort of like a ARB). Run the bolt through and you got double shear and you get rid of bending in the tab.

**2blue4usti** · 07-05-2008, 06:44 PM

Mgizzle, I was making the statement for oldladies benefit.

Understand your concerns about the bar. (then again -aftermarket parts- most likely no validation other than it looks good)

07-03-2008, 01:47 PM	#1
oldlady Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 38 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (2)	sparco harness bar - questions about fitment i just installed my sparco harness bar into my 06 sti and i'm having doubts whether it looks correct. should it be sitting that far back? i've seen pics of the "ebay harness bar" which sits pretty much directly behind the driver (which looks right to me), but the sparco doesnt. any feedback would be great. thanks! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by oldlady : 07-03-2008 at 03:05 PM.

07-03-2008, 02:35 PM	#2
Tweeter Junior STI Driver Car: 2000 AW RSTi Fav Mod: Stg. 2 Location: OC/SD Posts: 104 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment looks a LITTLE farther back than normal, how far are your seats moved back though?

07-03-2008, 02:57 PM	#3
oldlady Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 38 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment driver side is far up enough and upright. passenger side is all the way back. i also noticed that compared to the sparco instructions, mine has tabs which attach to the bar, which attach to the seatbelt towers versus just the bar which attaches to the seatbelt towers.. the instructions actually dont even mention the tabs.. edit: added more pics to original post.. Last edited by oldlady : 07-03-2008 at 03:04 PM.

07-03-2008, 04:42 PM	#4
MGizzle Professional STI Racer Car: 05 STi OBP Fav Mod: Data Acq System Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 782 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment Dude......WTF?!?!?! That is not a SPARCO bar that I have ever seen?? Where did you get it from?? Mine looks exactly like yours but WITHOUT the tabs going to the seatbelts. That in my opinion is the worst thing they could've done (if sparco did it). And yes, it is sitting way way behind. My tabs are solid but yours seem to be held by a M8 bolt ... that is crazy man. Looking forward to your feedback because I can not believe what I am seeing.

07-03-2008, 04:45 PM	#5
oldlady Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 38 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment yeah, thought mine looked kinda funky.. i got it directly from speedware motorsports...

07-03-2008, 07:08 PM	#6
*sciolist* Spiteful Old Codger Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,345 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment My Sparco bar has the tabs welded directly to the top tube. Only reason I can see for the design pictured is streamlining the fab process (aka cheapness). Definitely a step backward. Bad on Speedware, but not a surprise.

07-03-2008, 07:59 PM	#7
oldlady Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 38 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment sciolist, does your bar sit as far back as mine though? and yes, it does make sense that about making it cost less for them.. this bar was fresh from their powdercoaters, so it's their current offering.

07-03-2008, 08:06 PM	#8
2blue4usti Gold Member Car: 04 WRB STi - 07 Blue Fav Mod: TIC Click Kit & Cobb SS, RCE Springs and Plates w/Cobb Stg2 Protuned Location: MI Posts: 1,114 Join Date: May 2003 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment McGizzle is just jealous......bar looks fine to me. I have the bar with the welded tabs.....wanna trade? I can see where your bar would be more versatile in that you can remove it and reinstall it when needed. Also, by having it sit farther back it address's the issue of not restricting the seat reclinert. All good IMHO.

07-03-2008, 10:35 PM	#9
oldlady Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 38 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment 2blue4usti, thanks for your input. makes me feel better about the bar. it is afterall pretty darn secure. i could grab it and shake my car with it! and yes, it's REALLY convenient to remove it during non-track days. btw, dont think MGizzle was jealous-just concerned for my sake (ihope!)

07-04-2008, 12:44 PM	#10
*sciolist* Spiteful Old Codger Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,345 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment It does appear that the bar pictured sets further back than mine. Mine isn't currently in the car, so I'm going on memory. To clarify, I don't think there's anything inherently dangerous about that design, just see the original as being superior.

07-04-2008, 05:50 PM	#11
MGizzle Professional STI Racer Car: 05 STi OBP Fav Mod: Data Acq System Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 782 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment Honestly, I am not jaleous, just shocked that somebody would slap a SPARCO name on that. I wouldn't put this bar in my car if it was free and I got my reasons. Yes, your bar sits a lot more back than the original bar. This is not bad (gives you more room for your seats). However, look at the 4th picture you posted. If that doesn't scare the crap out of you than I don't know what will. That bolt seems to be threaded into the guset, which means it is in single shear. I don't see it coming to the other side of the clamp portion. That bolt is also not very thick if you ask me. Finally, You get 0 stiffnees increase from that bar but most people don't care about that. Now, you state it is from speedware?? What does that mean? It is a knock off SPARCO bar?? Go to SPARCO's website and you will not find the bar you have. I was only able to find the bar that I have and have always seen. I am still in shock, seriously.

07-04-2008, 06:05 PM	#12
oldlady Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 38 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment I'm not surprised I would get 0 stiffness increase from it, wasn't expecting it - just stating that it is rather secure in the car. And yes, I am a tad concerned re: the M2 bolt.. In any case, Speedware Motorsports fabricates the bar for Sparco USA. I have emailed Sparco USA and asked re: this 'new' design. Hope to hear back from them..

07-05-2008, 05:47 PM	#14
MGizzle Professional STI Racer Car: 05 STi OBP Fav Mod: Data Acq System Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 782 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment 2blue, please don't think I took you jaleous comment personal .... hope it didn't come out that way That bolt is just killin' me man. Now, I hope it is not a M2 bolt cause that would be a thinny Mofo. In any case, I just don't understand why they would not at least make it go through the entire clamp portion and put it in double shear. Then why use such a skinny bolt?!!!? I also don't understand why they didn't use the clamp portion on the Tab that mounts to the seat belt bolt and then use a fat 3/8's or something bigger single tab on the bar portion (sort of like a ARB). Run the bolt through and you got double shear and you get rid of bending in the tab.

07-05-2008, 06:44 PM	#15
2blue4usti Gold Member Car: 04 WRB STi - 07 Blue Fav Mod: TIC Click Kit & Cobb SS, RCE Springs and Plates w/Cobb Stg2 Protuned Location: MI Posts: 1,114 Join Date: May 2003 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: sparco harness bar - questions about fitment Mgizzle, I was making the statement for oldladies benefit. Understand your concerns about the bar. (then again -aftermarket parts- most likely no validation other than it looks good) This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.