Sparco Seatbelt Install

(08-31-02) The Sparco seats and belts are now installed.  Adding aftermarket belts that were not designed for the MR2 is a pain,  especially if you want them to work when needed.  The two lower mounts are not a big problem.  It's the shoulder mounts that test your creativity.  Some people install the shoulder belts by drilling a hole in the firewall and attaching eyelets with big washers.  In a real crash I wouldn't  have a lot of confidence in that setup.  Finding a secure mounting point is a problem.  You will need something that could withstand a thousand of pounds of force or more, generated in an accident.  I selected the large strut tower bolts on the engine side of the firewall.  They are massive with very secure mounts.  I made up two 2200 lb 1/4" steel cables with swaged eyelets at each end.  One end is bolted to the strut bolt location and the other goes through the firewall to the other eyelet in the passenger compartment.  I made a nice leather cover for the cable and bolted both shoulder belts to this.  Note:  Be sure to order the Sparco mounting kits when you order your belts ($6.00ea).  The anchors don't come with the belts. 
 

Step one:  Be sure you have all the parts before starting (Did you order the anchors?)

Step two:  Remove the old belts.  You have to remove the plastic covers behind the seats to remove the old shoulder belt retractors.  Pull up the rear of the door threshold parts first, then pull out the plastic covers.  There are two bolts that hold in the retractors.  Remove them, pull out the retractors and replace the covers and thresholds.

Step three:  Select your mounting points for the new shoulder belts.  Install them.  Sparco sells mounting plates if you want to use the plate behind the firewall method.  If you choose the cable/Strut bolt method, you will have to visit Lowe's or Home Depot.  They sell steel cable, eyelets and ferrells in 1/4".  You will have to either buy or rent a swedging tool to squeeze the ferrell tight.

 

Step four.  After the shoulder mounting points are installed assemble the belts to the anchors.  You will have to make small folds in the belts to get them to fit the anchor slots.  You can do this so the folds look very good.  You will have to test fit the length of the belts to get them right.  Don't cut any off until you test fit with an actual person in the seat and the seat in it's normal position.   After careful test fitting, cut off excess belt material.  Leave several inches, 4 or 5", after the metal clasps. Use a heat gun or small heat source to lightly burn the ends to seal them.  When all the belts are assembled to the anchors, go to step five.
   

Step five:  Install each lap belt to it's mount in the car.  Note:  Sparco cam locks have to be installed so that the slots in the belt lock are in the proper position.  You have a single slot for the submarine belt on the bottom and two slots on the top.  Position them correctly first.

Step six:  Install the shoulder harnesses.  Adjust harnesses.  Be sure and leave room to adjust