Llandow Trackday

A global place for general discussion (Volvo, V3M or non-Volvo related topics).
Please introduce yourself here, your Volvo 300 hobby...
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Jason B
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Post by Jason B » 27 Mar 2008 09:33 pm

definitely, aside from good spotlights (rally essential!) bucket seats are one of the best upgrades I have made (so far)
'89 360 GLE awaiting 2.3 power

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Chris_C
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Post by Chris_C » 28 Mar 2008 01:28 am

Bucket seats without rollcages... brave men indeed ;)

Buckets with cages rock though, they really do help out.
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
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'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

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Jason B
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Post by Jason B » 28 Mar 2008 01:42 am

lol, bucket seats without roll cage is fine, its harnesses without roll cage that is dangerous (roof comes down a long way!)
'89 360 GLE awaiting 2.3 power

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MJ
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Post by MJ » 28 Mar 2008 01:51 am

Why is it more dangerous to have a harness than seatbelt if you don't have a roll cage? surly if the roof crushes your going to be in a bad way whether you have a harness or belt...
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Jason B
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Post by Jason B » 28 Mar 2008 01:58 am

no, as on a normal seatbelt only one shoulder is restrained so if the worst were to happen then you are much more likely to avoid being crushed than if both shoulders (and everything else) are held firmly in place
'89 360 GLE awaiting 2.3 power

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MJ
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Post by MJ » 28 Mar 2008 02:21 am

Hmm, I guess with a harness it would be game over, but with a normal belt - unless you specifically leaned forward or sideways, you wouldn't have much better chances would you... and with a bucket seat it'd have to be forwards, and if the inertia real locked...
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Chris_C
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Post by Chris_C » 28 Mar 2008 12:59 pm

Don't agree Jason, a standard seat back will snap the mechanism before your back with or without harnesses, a bucket won't.
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

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Jason B
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Post by Jason B » 28 Mar 2008 01:30 pm

conversely it could also be said that properly bolted in the two buckets will act as a kind of "rollover bar" (well good buckets), so unless it was the mother of all barrel rolls the roof wouldn't cave further than the height of the buckets hence you are likely to be ok
'89 360 GLE awaiting 2.3 power

sven360
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Post by sven360 » 28 Mar 2008 02:07 pm

You could of course avoid rolling in the first place thereby negating both your arguements.
I've used harnesses without a cage and wheels without spigots and can still tell the tale.Guess I was just born lucky.
If you are that worried perhaps a diesel Hummer would make you feel better, it's got a wide track and quite heavy,even compared to a Volvo,so may be more difficult to roll :roll:
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Jason B
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Post by Jason B » 28 Mar 2008 02:10 pm

not me whos worried, I'll be fitting a cage once insurance allows
'89 360 GLE awaiting 2.3 power

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MJ
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Post by MJ » 28 Mar 2008 05:28 pm

As safe as they are, a standard 300 isn't the safest car in the world (as standard).

Still, most of us are prepared to take the (small) risk of driving them, knowing that in an accident we would be safer in some boring modern car, just because we like 300's, and just hope an accident doesn't happen.

This is just a hypothetical debate about what steps can be taken to minimise injury should the worst happen. :)

Regarding a cage, I've heard that (even with foam padding) it can be more dangerous than without a cage if you don't wear a helmet, as you can hit your head badly on it. Anyone know anything about that? I guess if you had a normal seat and belt you could hit your head on it, but if you had a bucket and (correctly tightened) harness your head shouldn't reach should it... :?
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Jason B
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Post by Jason B » 28 Mar 2008 05:44 pm

really shouldn't use a cage without a helmet, though the risk of injury is very low with properly fitted buckets and full harnesses as realistically you are not going to move much! (ouch! but safe) - though tbh a padded cage is probably no worse than banging your head on steering wheel etc
'89 360 GLE awaiting 2.3 power

swordfish210
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Post by swordfish210 » 28 Mar 2008 07:17 pm

If you're going to say that, then you might as well say that you shouldnt be driving a car without a helmet, as hitting you're head on a cage tube is'nt going to be any worse than hitting your head on any other piece of metal inside the cabin within heads reach
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