Safety

[Huntyfm]

I was wondering, are you better protected with a seatbelt or a harness?

And is having a roll-cage really beneficial?

Is it wise to have a fiberglass flip-front in an accident?

Thanks

[coedy]

fibreglass fronts can be just as safe as steel fronts provided their put on correctly at the time (solid mounting the subby and adding two brace bars as well as beefing up the mounts.)
however in my mind at least i think if you crashed two minis into a wall at 20mph one with FG front and one with steel, i personally think the FG one will be worse off...

someone asked about rollcages on TMF and someone responded with a pic of a mini on its roof which had caved in along the front... mind you, saying that, i dont like them because their ugly lol. but if you can afford the insurance hike and the cage and like the look of them it wont do any harm.... (make sure to pad the bars near your head....)

I like seatbelts better as im tall so i have my seat further back (cant reach the choke and first when i was strapped in lol), but saying that mini seatbelts break quite a lot, so harnesses are probably more reliable? make sure their mounted properly though as the rear sections (especially 3point ones) have to be mounted within certain angles.. dont go using the bottom rear seatbelt mounts unless you want the back of your seat compressing down and twisting during an accident... if you can afford the price hike, and like them, then go for it

Ill see if i can find links to the cage topic on TMF later, and ill also see if i can dig out the pic i found of a killed seat due to rubbish harness fitting. it wont be until this evening though..

[Phil J]

I remember reading about cages too, As they are a solid steel bar most experts wouldnt recomend fitting one unless your wearing a helmet.

[coedy]

and one of the various refferences online to ruining your back due to impropper harness mounting:::

The shoulder belts cannot mount lower than 45 degrees, any lower and they can cause spinal compression.

[a href="www.dtmpower.net/forum/e36-3-series/151008-3-point-sparco-harness-install-help-pics-inside.html"]www.dtmpower.net/forum/e36-3-series/151008-3-point-sparco-harness-install-help-pics-inside.html

[/a][/quote]

[ljonez]

take a look at

www.16vminiclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13878&highlight=

the f/g front just got ripped off and the combination of cage bucket seats and harnesses probably saved his life

[coedy]

That rear corner is amazing! very lucky guy..

[Huntyfm]

Thanks guys, you've given me a lot to think about

[welshjosh]

Maybe you should look into a rear cage?

[daddypig]

Issigonis said he believed in ‘active safety’ so I suppose you are better protected by sensible and aware driving. Given as with all classic cars you are going to come off far worse in a crash than in a NCAP rated car some extra additions may help.

A cage looks good but would only be safe if its FIA approved and fitted professionally, you could be sitting there wondering why you are wrapped up in a lot of metal after it’s broken free due to Joe Bloggs welding or bolting one in. Phil’s right a cage also brings a lot of hard metal closer to your head.

Harnesses, again the same professional fitting is advantageous, although I have had a few cars with a harness it becomes tiresome getting in and out.

[Huntyfm]

WOW! just checked out those pics, thats really made me think about it, that is one lucky guy.

I was thinking about getting a cheap cage of ebay or something, but you cant put a price on safety, if I was going to have one it would definately be FIA approved.

[ljonez]

i picked up a cage yesterday non fia (in kit form) and altho im more than capable to weld it together myself im taking it to a local welding company to get it done. i'll also be welding in some spreader plates to the floor pan to ensure its as solid as possible.

I've always believed its better to have something and not need it rather than need it and not have it