Can anyone share their experience on installing a 5-point racing harness in an E500? I'd like to use existing anchor points from the front and rear lap belts. Any recommendations for brands or kits? They must be SCCA approved 3" belts. Also, it must have an anti-submarine belt.

Dean Albrecht
94 E500

I checked into this a while back. MBNA contacted Germany and their recommendation was to not use a race type harness with the stock seat. They offered a sport seat kit for about $2800. This replaced the drivers seat. The rear seat was removed and a harness attachment structure added. The stock belt attachment points are not in the correct locations for the race harness. You could easily fabricate a structure to attach the belts to but the rear seat would have to be removed.

Most track events do not require race harnesses. Only actual race events. Then they usually require a roll cage as well.

You can approximate the car control advantages of the race harness by engaging the inertial stop of the stock belts and then moving the seat forward to maintain a slight pressure on the belt.

Thanks for the info Lou. The rules for the Silver State Classic require full harness but no roll cage in my speed catagory. I would consider installing a racing seat...do you know of any brands that have an adapter bracket for the E500? I checked out Corbeau already and they don't.

Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

I used a 5 point harness in 280E for two years in SCCA, I was able to mount shoulder straps to rear seat belt mountings w/o having to leave the rear seat out. Seat belt mountings are 7/16" SAE. Used corbeau seat with universal mounts. Have Fun!!

I have looked into this for my C43 and decided not to install anything for my use for the follwing reason. ALL the bolt in systems that were recommended for OEM back seat mounting points were below MY shoulder height and in an accident would cause spinal compression - something I was not willing to chance.

I'm betting that the mercedes install kit address's this issue.


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Noah
1999 C43
http://4Noah.homepage.com

Sorry for the delay in responding but I've been researching the racing harness problem and have this idea:

Using Sparco equipment, install their 75" H-type shoulder harness with clip-on ends to eyebolts installed in the rear seatbelt anchor points (I need 64")with the seat cushions removed. This will allow the correct angle of the belts horizontally. Sparco recommends that the belts should be between 45 and 90 degrees to the seatback to prevent the possibility of spinal compression and I should be OK.

Next, the cam-lock lap belts will be bolted over top of the stock lap belts and a single 24" anti-sub belt will be attached to a crossmember under the seat and run over the front of the seat to loop back to the lap belt. According to other racers I've talked to, the purpose of the anti-sub is actually to hold the harness down while the seat itself prevents you from sliding forward.

Lou or others: any thoughts on this plan?

Lee: I put in a Parts Order on the Sparco belts and hardware. Being an E500 owner, can you tell me if this will work?

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Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

[This message has been edited by Dean Albrecht (edited 05-09-2000).]

I've finished the job and thought I'd post the results for anyone doing an archive search on the topic.

The Sparco 3" 5-point belts are installed for both front seats in the E500. It was really an easier job than I thought beforehand. The shoulder harnesses are 75" H-style, with the straps attached to the rear lap belt mounting points. The inboard straps are bolt-on attachments and the outboard straps clip-on to eyebolts. The rear seats and seatbelts are still in place and can be used.

The lap belts also use stock mounting points and I've retained the use of the factory seatbelts as well. Again, the inboard side bolts in and the outboard clips to eyebolts.

The anti-sub belt runs forward to wrap around a cross bar under the seat. This is not ideal and I am checking with an auto upholstery shop on having a slot cut into the seat cushion.

PS...a 2 1/2 lb. halon fire extinguisher neatly fits on the shelf left when you remove the center console. After racing, the re-installed console will cover the quick release bracket holes very nicely.

Next step is to have an indash GPS installed in place of the front ashtray. Filthy habit anyway...



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Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

Take some PHOTOS please

Even if you don't have a digital, just have the film developed with a disk.

thanks

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Noah
1999 C43
4Noah

OK Noah, just give me a week or two to burn off a roll of film.



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Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

Help...I have my photos on a CD but I don't know how to export them to this site. The photo software I have just refers to printing images and e-mailing them as attachments.

What to do



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Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

If you can email me the photos i'll post them to a web page so they can be referenced for the forum.

if you need help emailing them, let me know which browser and email editor your using.

Good Luck


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Noah
1999 C43
4Noah

Or you can send me the CD, i'll post the photos, and send it back.

noah_rri@email.msn.com



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Noah
1999 C43
4Noah

With a little (okay, alot ) of help from Noah, I've posted pics of the harness setup on my webpage at:
http://www.homestead.com/need2speed/home.html

Please bear with me 'cause its still under construction.



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Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

Dean:

Looks great! what a neat color 500E - is that the Jade color?

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JCE
87 300E, 65k miles
Smoke Silver

Great job on the harness setup. I have the same color 500E - Teal is what I am told. Color makes the car even stealthier! Nice to see what the 17" monoblocks look like with that color - next modification on my list.