Miata chassis brace?

I have a '97 Miata with the "chassis brace" that runs between the seatbelt anchors. I was under the impression that this was a very heavy duty piece and thus a good place for the should straps of a 5 point harness (with roll bar of course). But now I'm hearing it's not so good for that.

Is there a clear ruling on this? Keith?

Im not keith but i too have heard that hell no you don't want to anchor belts to that thing.

I would only wrap those belts around the integrated harness bar of a properly installed roll car. Period.

It will cost you a buck fiddy, but this is your answer: http://www.gomiata.com/mihadogbohab.html The factory piece isn't nearly substantial enough to serve as a harness bar. When you put them side by side this will all be clear.

Or just get a roll bar with an integrated harness bar. A harness bar without a roll bar is a bad idea. You don't want to be stuck upright in your seat unless you have a substantial roll bar behind your.

I ended up putting a Hard Dog M2 + harness bar in my 94. It leaves open the "glass rear window" option if you ever decide to upgrade the top.

Disclaimer: I'm not Keith Tanner . . . and I did not sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

In reply to kazoospec:

Thanks man, something else to buy. Ignorance was bliss, honestly I thought it was fine on the chassis brace.

And I do have a Hard Dog Sport bar installed already.

Yeah, that factory brace probably isn't strong enough. It's there for side impact protection, apparently.

FM carries the harness bar as well: https://www.flyinmiata.com/hard-dog-bolt-in-harness-bar.html. There's a bit more info about the product there.

If you already have a roll bar in the car, use the HD bolt-in harness bar. I have it in mine, it works great.

If you don't already have a roll bar, get one of the HD bars that has a built-in harness bar.

If you're not going to put a roll bar in the car, then you should think twice before putting in a harness.

Edit: Never mind, I was too slow in posting and the roll bar question was answered in the meantime :-) )

KyAllroad wrote: In reply to kazoospec: And I do have a Hard Dog Sport bar installed already.

You've already done the hard part then. The good news is install is super easy once you've flipped it over and turned it end for end about 16 times and figured out which way it goes. Since I have you spending money already, pick up four of these: http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/motors/collars/power-transmission-collars/one-piece-clamping-collar-climax-1c-200 (I think 2" is correct, but double check the interior diameter.) Put one on each side of your harnesses and they'll never slide around on you. Mine is comfortable enough that I DD with the harness. It will all be worth it the first time you can autox without sliding around in the seat.

I saw an interview with Kyle Petty once where he said one of the best things his dad taught him was how to properly adjust his belts. He said "The King" always used to say "The steerin' wheel is for steerin', not hangin' on."

Another way to keep the harnesses from sliding around is to cross the shoulder belts. Or use a race seat with holes in it

Harnesses do add a lot of control for sure. They do make shoulder checks an exercise in neck flexibility on the street though. BTDT.

With my MOMO Corsa seat I don't slide around at all. In fact it's bruised my ribs on a rough venue before.

Stock Miata seats are pretty worthless.