Recaro Poles... Talk to me.

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playalistic

Senior member
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OK I'm getting recaro poles for the weight saving, plus so I don't get chucked about like peanut in a tin-can (as I do now). I would prefer 4 point harnesses too, but can live without them if fitment is going to be an issue.

So far I'm thinking on the following items:

2 x Recaro poles + the necessary mounts
2 x Lightweight Macht Schnell mounts
2 x Macht Schnell seatbelt receptacles (if I have stick with OEM belts)

I'll need occupancy sensor overrides too I assume?

My questions really are regarding harnesses, can I get them fitted to the roadster without a harness bar or can a harness bar be fitted if necessary? Also, if you have harnesses I assume you need some override for the belt pre-tensioners so you don't trip the airbag light?

I'll be at Simpsons next Friday so will ask them, but wanted a headsup here first! :thumbsup:
 
i wanted to do that ages ago but unfrotunatly i think the airbag light will be constantly on :-( one of the mains reasons i didnt go ahead...... if you guys know different point in the right direction and ill order now :-)
 
Beedub said:
i wanted to do that ages ago but unfrotunatly i think the airbag light will be constantly on :-( one of the mains reasons i didnt go ahead...... if you guys know different point in the right direction and ill order now :-)
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Well I know for sure you can do it with OEM belts with an occupancy sensor override module and the airbags work as-is. With harnesses I'm certain there must be a workaround, and was hoping someone could give us some hints. Flatout? Sixspeed?


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Jokes as side boys is it not an option to disconnect or even remove air bags, if your going down the four point route then air bags not required, speed won't kill you but sudden stops will & air bags only soften the blow to the man in the sky in my opion. You don't see f1 guys with air bags but you do seen them strapped in four point style !
 
so how does this sensor bypass work?

if it fools the system into thinking a passenger is always there, then the seat belt will need to be constantly plugged in or it will beeep at you all the time.

if it fools the system into thinking the seat is never occupied then the passenger airbag will not activate, good luck on that lawsuit if the worst happens to your passenger.
 
With the greatest of respect I just want to know the how and what, not the health and safety executive's opinion. :thumbsup: Ta.

With harnesses there must be some workaround for the belt sensors. There are people with harnesses fitted I just want their opinions.

I rarely, if ever have a passenger. The car is and will only be used for runs or track. If I stick with OEM belts I don't have a problem with leaving the passenger belt plugged in. If I go with harnesses I see glewpots point with regards to airbags being unnecessary, perhaps you can just disable the whole airbag system?
 
See here for guidance on fitting harnesses and the correct angle for the belts http://www.schrothracing.com/sdocs/2009_Competition_Instructions.pdf

Might be useful.

As for the seatbelt sensor, you can do one of two things:

Use these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2pcs-BMW-safety-seat-belt-buckle-clip-sound-eliminator-/150619731218?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2311a2b512#ht_2288wt_922

Or open up the belt buckle and short out the contacts with a couple of resistors and diode. Can't find a link for the z4 but you can find some for an e36 showing the same principle (mainly as they break over time and people bypass them.

Also can you just turn the pass airbag off for completeness? Not sure if all M's have this of if it was an option.
 
I know you said spare you the H&S junk, but...

If you are going 4 points get Schroth ASM's, but better to go 6 point. Otherwise you run a real risk of submarining under the belts. This will of course mean adding mounting points for crotch straps...

Having seen the results of a friend using standard 4 points and suffering abdominal injuries in an accident, it isn't worth risking it. OK H&S mode off :D
 
MyNamesNotBob said:
I know you said spare you the H&S junk, but...

If you are going 4 points get Schroth ASM's, but better to go 6 point. Otherwise you run a real risk of submarining under the belts. This will of course mean adding mounting points for crotch straps...

Having seen the results of a friend using standard 4 points and suffering abdominal injuries in an accident, it isn't worth risking it. OK H&S mode off :D
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Really? Surely 4 points, securely fitted with the straps at the correct angles is completely safe? They have FIA approval after all. :o
 
playalistic said:
MyNamesNotBob said:
I know you said spare you the H&S junk, but...

If you are going 4 points get Schroth ASM's, but better to go 6 point. Otherwise you run a real risk of submarining under the belts. This will of course mean adding mounting points for crotch straps...

Having seen the results of a friend using standard 4 points and suffering abdominal injuries in an accident, it isn't worth risking it. OK H&S mode off :D
Click to expand...
Really? Surely 4 points, securely fitted with the straps at the correct angles is completely safe? They have FIA approval after all. :o
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Yes they do, but many series are not allowing 4 points, often the only series you can run them is in classic series where mounting crotch straps is much harder. The trouble with 4 points is getting the lap belt to stay over the pelvis, but having the shoulder straps tight enough, naturally when the shoulder straps are tight they pull the lap belt up - forcing the pressure point away from the pelvis onto your stomach.

Speak to a company like MSAR (http://www.msar-safety.com/info.asp?i=5) for advice, they really know their stuff.

I'm not for one second saying don't run harnesses - I ran them for 4 years and are the single biggest thing I miss on my current car. But just do the research and pick whats right for you based on speaking to experts. Personally if I was running 4 points I would only run ASM's, otherwise 6 points - but thats my choice after being around a couple of race series and hearing about all the various stories associated with each type, along with experiencing the realities of how harnesses sit on your body after driving for a reasonable amount if time.

Every fitment comes with some risk (basilar skull fracture from your head moving more than your body etc) - but you have to draw the line where you feel is appropriate. See what the fitting options are for the zed and go from there - personally I'm not sure how you would mount the shoulder straps without adding a half cage on a roadster, but I'm sure Simpsons have a solution
 
Cheers again. All good advice, I'll see what Simpsons have to say next Friday when I finally get my APs fitted. I'm hoping harnesses are an option but to be honest I'd settle for some decent supportive seats at this stage. I'll report back :thumbsup:
 
I would not fit 4-point but 6-point harnesses. You cannot add a harness bar behind the seats in the Z4M and install the shoulder straps at the correct angle. You will have to cut 4 holes in the plastic behind the seats so you can attach the hooks for the shoulder straps to the steel bulkhead. If your car has the extended storage bins like mine instead of speakers, you can hide the holes there, if not, then I am afraid, you will cut the plastic. That is if you want to do it properly.

Sorting out the occupancy sensor is a child's play - many E39/E46/E36 owners have the problem and the ebay device works very well.

HTH,

Alex
 
I've got speakers in what would be the cubby holes. I don't mind if the car gets hacked up a little to accommodate the fixings. Anyway, I'll see what Simpsons say on Friday. Cheers :thumbsup:
 
playalistic said:
Cheers again. All good advice, I'll see what Simpsons have to say next Friday when I finally get my APs fitted. I'm hoping harnesses are an option but to be honest I'd settle for some decent supportive seats at this stage. I'll report back :thumbsup:
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What will be your weight saving do you think Playa?

I don't find the M seats very good in terms of comfort or grip and with all this electric trickery their bound to be heavy too. I found you much better communication with buckets so am thinking its one of the best mods you can do.
 
I think you can expect to save around 25 - 30KG over the stock (I have heated/electric) M seats. Couple this with the wheels, lighter battery, lighter brakes, (soon to be hopefully) lighter exhaust and a featherweight driver and I'm hoping for a decent overall reduction :thumbsup:
 
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