Looking through an old GRM the other day I saw this ad in the back, just remembered to check it out online. Anyone actually use one? Curious about it for both the Abarth and Subarust if it actually works.
"Hold your street car's lap belt "racing harness tight"
Lower your lap or run times or your money back. Turn your factory seatbelt into a performance driving advantage. Attaches to most standard factory installed 3-point seatbelts in minutes. $59.95 each.
::cough:: PM if you want info.
I had one. It does hold the belt very well. It also shredded the webbing very completely within a year.
before going harness, I used and loved mine. In rallycross it made a huge difference to keep from sliding across the STi (at the time) seats
pilotbraden, you've got PM.
I use one in my Malibu and it works a lot better then without.
Of course the five point in my Miata is even better.
I do miss the 5-point in the MR2, but this now looks useful. How hard is it to transfer between cars? Prefer to buy one for the Abarth and autocross, and switch it to the Subarust for rallycross when needed.
I've run them on both front belts in my Mustang for DD and autocross use since about 07. I really like them. They seem to be a 90% solution for a street car without a roll bar, although if you have a dedicated racer with a bar they won't take the place of harnesses. Not quite.. I could really tell a difference on the autox course. Every racing friend that's ridden with me was impressed with them.
I've had no problems with belt wear. I did have some problems on initial setup with them slipping off the factory latch pieces - I think the plastic molding on the Stang is overly rounded or something. I ended up cross-hatching the grip area of the CGLocks and they never slipped off after. There were two mounting screws somewhere on them that I also ground off smooth because I was afraid they would wear the belts, so maybe that's why mine didn't.
I will say the passenger side unit recently self destructed - something in the spring mechanism. I have all the pieces but haven't taken time to figure it out. It's probably from the unused belt banging against the interior every day, or from passengers who just can't understand how to work it even after explanation.
That was the only downside - having to explain them to passengers. I'm usually piloting solo though, so even that was a small thing. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat.
I codrove a car at an autocross with one and was surprised at how well it worked. Definitely a cool product.
I ran with one for a few years when I had my BMW. I loved it, I'd say it's the perfect solution for a street-driven autocross car without harnesses.
Another way to simulate the effect is to twist the belt buckle a few times before buckling your seat belt, causing the lap and the shoulder belts to overlap and twist. This isn't as safe, but will hold you down.
Ultraclyde, PM me and we'll get you a replacement.
As far as twisting the seatbelt, it can actually break from the friction in an impact. Please don't do this on the street or the track. This info is from a former, highly awarded Ford safety engineer.
I use one in my DD Honda Fit. HUGE improvement! Now I'm no longer tugging at the belt to keep it snug and my rearend stays planted into the seat where I want it to be instead of slowly creeping forward as the belt loosens. Buy one and you'll be amazed at how much it does for so little money.
before putting harnesses in, I used one … it did the job as advertised
In reply to CGLockRacer:
Well Tom's profile picture does appear to be an Isuzu Trooper on track, take any advice regarding vehicle safety accordingly.
Ok I'm sold. CGLockRacer warned me it might not work in the Abarth, I'll give it a go. It'll be useful in the Subarust at least.
captdownshift wrote: In reply to CGLockRacer: Well Tom's profile picture does appear to be an Isuzu Trooper on track, take any advice regarding vehicle safety accordingly.
Heh... good stuff, huh? That's going into turn one at Road Atlanta.
I hadn't thought about the friction of the belt, I'll stop twisting my seatbelt.
I've had one for a while; it's great! And they have awesome customer service.
I have used a CG Lock for the past few years and it has been great. Much better than the stock seatbelt.
I've used one in a car that didn't have traditional locking belts, but I don't see the point for any other car... just twist the buckle to bind up the webbing... Or scoot the seat back, tug the belt quickly to lock in, and put the seat forward again.
We ran them in a number of the FM cars for years as well. We don't anymore, they confused customers and tended to get caught in doors when customers were driving. It would be a different matter for those who are driving their own car.
These days, I lock the belt. It gives you the shoulder belt as well. Takes a bit of practice. I don't move the seat, I just lock it with the buckle about 4" from the latch then squeeze myself down.
Interestingly, my wife's Grand Cherokee has an almost identical device on the passenger's front belt. Something to do with child seats.
I use this, a lot cheaper, not sure how it works in comparison but it does lock the belt down nicely.
http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Seat-Belt-Locking-Clip/dp/B004XJ0EF0
I am planning on buying one for my Civic.
yup works well. I have a harness now, but still have a CGLock on my passenger seat in the rallycross car.
series8217 wrote: Or scoot the seat back, tug the belt quickly to lock in, and put the seat forward again.
This is the technique I have always used. I never saw a reason to spend money on something that tries to emulate a function that the car is already equiped with.
Driven5 wrote:series8217 wrote: Or scoot the seat back, tug the belt quickly to lock in, and put the seat forward again.This is the technique I have always used. I never saw a reason to spend money on something that tries to emulate a function that the car is already equiped with.
I did this too for a couple years before getting the CG locks. The big improvement with the CG is it's easier and more repeatable. Already trying to manage a helmet and crap getting into the car in grid - especially in 100 degree southern heat - getting the seatbelt autolock to kick in exactly where I needed it was hit or miss. With the CG I just buckle the belt and pull it to desired tightness. Worth noting that my Mustang has one of the most sensitive seatbelt lockup mechanisms I've ever encountered. If I was doing track days with longer sessions it might be less of an issue, but I was in/out of the car so much in autox that it was a real PITA.
I looked at mine re: grinding off screws - The plate that clamps down on the factory belt is secured by two small allen screws. When tightened sufficiently the ends of the screws stuck out the back side of the unit and would be pressed against the lap part of the seat belt during use. Once I tightened them down I used a dremel to cut the screws off flush and then a fine abrasive wheel and some sandpaper to smooth them out. It's worked great.
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