Racing seats and roll cage

[Amtron]

I just had a question because I'm interested in this (probably won't ever happen). I read previous threads about racing seats, and I know kerrykerrykerry installed some...the pictures aren't available anymore, so I really don't know what they look like in a Vibe. Does anyone else have racing seats with any sort of harness? Yes, I know that a Vibe does not have much go to it, but I think it looks cool and after driving with a 4 point harness, I love the feel.Now I've also heard that harnesses are very dangerous because you can break your neck/spine if you roll the car due to the lack of side to side mobility and the compression from the roof. I heard that roll cages can stop this though. So I have 2 questions about that:1. Do racing seats have some sort of support so that you eliminate the problem of spine breakage in a roll?2. Is there anyway of installing a roll cage or roll bar or whatever so that you don't need to drive around with a helmet, and there back seats aren't eliminated? Perhaps something like this, but have a bar across the B-pillars where the seat belts would be strapped to:

[Lysander]

No, don't mess with the factory safety systems (seat included) if you wish to survive a street crash. If you install a cage, drive the car using the safety equipment required when running a cage (namely, a helmet).

[Blanco_Diablo]

Check out these guys, they have some nice racing seats!http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2461209/2You could e-mail them, vibegtcouple on this site

[AKLGT]

you do realize that unless you plan to actually race the car, it's a very expensive venture. Both Mav and I have race/rally cars and even we do not have roll bars, cages or race seats. race seats aren't exactly very comfortable and neither are harnesses for daily driving. I have a 3 pt harness in mine (as does Mav) and though they work great for various events like what we just did yesterday, for every day streetibility, they are difficult. you have limited range of motion and well, not that safe if you need to reach something in the car. If you do want a harness, then I suggest the 3 pt like what we have in our cars. they use the seatbelt bolts in the car and can easily be removed or stashed away.Here's what I have in mine, but black. Phil's is in blue (matches our interior)http://www.soloperformance.com....html

[northvibe]

Yeah I wouldnt recommend racing seats and harness for DD use. I was going to get a harness system and roll bar for the back but only use it on race day. If you want a good seat belt holder get the one I have, CG-Lock http://www.cg-lock.com/index.html . works great and in the summer I use it DD'ing. Really holds you in your seat on the cheap and great for autox'ing or other "racing". If you really want some sport seats get them out of a stock car, like subaru sti seats, evo seats, my ms3 has them, they are comfy but hug you seats.

[NibCrom]

I don't know of any racing venture that doesn't require a helmet, regardless of the presence of a roll cage.

[Amtron]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »If you really want some sport seats get them out of a stock car, like subaru sti seats, evo seats, my ms3 has them, they are comfy but hug you seats.Would there be much work involved to fit them into a Vibe?

[northvibe]

I think you'd need custom rails made to fit the seat to your stock floor mounts.

[bull77]

Quote, originally posted by Amtron »I just had a question because I'm interested in this (probably won't ever happen). I read previous threads about racing seats, and I know kerrykerrykerry installed some...the pictures aren't available anymore, so I really don't know what they look like in a Vibe. he could have done a better job with the thread title http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=26328

[kunkstyle]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »I think you'd need custom rails made to fit the seat to your stock floor mounts.Haven't taken the Vibe seats out, but I'd assume there's a wiring harness for the seatbelt/airbag too? Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »race seats aren't exactly very comfortable and neither are harnesses for daily driving+1. I wouldn't want one for anything other than racing.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by kunkstyle »Haven't taken the Vibe seats out, but I'd assume there's a wiring harness for the seatbelt/airbag too? Yes, there is. plus, the Vibe's seats are one of the most COMFORTABLE seats out there. Wish mine were as comfy.and yes, never heard of any motorsports (unless it was very slow) that did not require a helmet. If you have to have a roll cage or harness bar, you will certainly be required to wear a helmet and long pants and sleeves for protection.

[Lysander]

Vibe seats are comfortable? Compared to what, a big wheel?

[AKLGT]

yes, compared to any other car we've owned which have been approx 10 now. try driving 5000 miles in the Subaru LGT/STI flat no cushion seats through Canada, WA and OR. We drove up the Alcan in my 05 LGT 2 summers ago. Prior to that, we drove up Mavrik's 04 Vibe from London, ONT to Anchorage, 5400 miles one way. no problems and no back aches (other than needing to get out and stretch every so often) like in the LGT. I can't even imagine how aweful it would be to drive long distance like that in either of our STI's.

[Sublimewind]

Well, to help actually answer your question, rather than try and deter you from it... yes, you can put different seats in the car, not a big deal, you'll likely need a new set of brackets and possibly rails, I doubt any are made for the Vibe, but you might find them for the Trix... then it's a simple matter of doing the swap.. on the passenger side with the seat sensor, you might have to rig in a resistor to the plug to keep the light from flashing (something us subaru guys do a lot with aftermarket seats)As far as the cage, there isn't one that will allow you to yse the back seat.... the bars that run from the main hoop to the rear wheel wells won't allow for it.... BUT, you can still install harnesses safely... you would nees a "harness bar" and this is another thing the Subaru guys often do to have 4pts and a back seat... the harness bar bolts up to the upper seat belt mounts, loops around behind the top of the seats and has 2 adjustable rods that run down to the outter floor belt mounts and adjusts for hight..I run a Recaro and 4pt in my Subie and while I love it, the Vibe seats are deffinitly more compfy... BUT, they don't do squat in a "performance" sence... I've driven a few hours in the subie (14 to get home from NJ with it) and at first, it's horrible, but once your body gets used to it, no biggee... the 4pts, they are a major pain, but you learn to deal with it.. The big thing with a 4pt is how it's mounted, the shoulder belts can't be anymore than a certin degree down from horizontal... I don't know the exact figure..

[kunkstyle]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »I feel sorry for the guy in the back seat when the brakes get slammed...

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by kunkstyle »I feel sorry for the guy in the back seat when the brakes get slammed...agreed, but people want there cake AND want to eat it to... whatta you gonna do...

[Amtron]

Quote, originally posted by kunkstyle »I feel sorry for the guy in the back seat when the brakes get slammed...Yeah I was wondering about that...This project = fail.

[AKLGT]

that's why I suggested the 3 pt harness. you just move them out of the way when you have back seat occupants. they work great too. not to mention, you could still use them on the Vibe seats.