Install a Miata Harness Bar for Safety and Performance

Introducing the Miata Harness Bar

The Mazda Miata is a beloved lightweight two-seat roadster that has been popular with driving enthusiasts ever since its debut in 1989. Over the years, many Miata owners have customized their vehicles for improved performance and style on winding roads and race tracks. One common addition is a harness bar - but what exactly is it and why install one?

What is a Harness Bar?

A harness bar is a structural component installed behind the front seats of a Miata. It creates an anchor point for a 4, 5, or 6-point safety racing harness that secures the driver during performance driving. The bar bolts directly to the chassis for maximum strength to withstand harness forces.

Benefits of Adding a Harness Bar

There are several key reasons why installing a harness bar can benefit Miata drivers:

• Safely harness the driver for hard cornering and track use
• Prevent submarining (sliding forward under the lap belt) during heavy braking
• Allow proper tightening of harnesses for maximum control and precision
• Create a solid base structure for bolting in other equipment like seats
• Improve interior styling with the visible bar and integrated harness belts

Choosing the Right Miata Harness Bar

When picking out a harness bar for your Miata, you'll want one with the right mix of features, strength, style, and price for your needs. Key factors to consider include:

• Construction material - common choices are steel, aluminum, or chromoly
• Mounting style - stands vertical behind seats or lower crossed diagonal bar
• Number of harness slots - openings to bolt harnesses to the bar
• Integrated accessories - pads, harness slots, belt guides
• Padding and finish - bare, wrapped, or powder coated
• Miata generation compatibility - NA, NB, NC models

Installing Your New Harness Bar

Putting in a Miata harness bar will take some mechanical skill, but is very doable as a home garage project. The basic installation steps include:

1. Remove factory rear seat belt components if still installed
2. Unbolt and remove part of the interior trim panels as needed for access
3. Bolt the harness bar to chassis mounting points, usually using 8-10 bolts
4. Torque all bolts to spec with a calibrated wrench to avoid loosening
5. Reinstall trim panels and replace any interior lining and components
6. Install your preferred racing harnesses and adjust tightness as needed

Having an automotive lift makes things easier, but you can also carefully jack just one end of the Miata at a time if working on the ground. Just take all safety precautions before getting under the car!

Outfitting Your Harness Bar

Once you have a Miata harness bar physically mounted in your car, there are a variety of accessories you can add for functionality and personalization:

Racing Harnesses

A full racing harness is essential to complete the system - styles with 4, 5 or 6 attachment points are common. Make sure to get a harness properly rated for racing use and with enough length to comfortably fit.

Harness Pads

Most harness bars allow the straps to be routed through the frame or around it. For comfort, many owners add harness pads on sections that sit near the neck and hips.

Custom Upholstery

Upholstering over the tubular bar frame and integrating harness slots into Miata seat backs gives a clean, professional race-inspired look.

Helmet Tethers

Prevent head whipping forward during crashes by installing small tethers that anchor helmets rearward to harness chest clips or the bar itself.

Stay Stylish and Safe!

Adding a harness bar and proper safety gear takes your Miata from showroom stock to serious track machine. As you push the handling envelope harder, the right equipment will let you drive faster while protecting from injury in a crash. With custom upholstery options and polished chrome or powder coated bars, you can build a great looking interior that matches your personalized style too.

While the roll bar and matched components require an initial investment, most Miata fans find it well worth it. The harness bar remains rigidly bolted to key chassis points for years of performance driving excitement. Check your local racing shops or online retailers to find the perfect harness bar solution for your needs!

FAQs

Do I need any special tools to install a Miata harness bar?

You'll need standard metric hand tools - sockets, wrenches, ratchets - and possibly an impact wrench for tightening chassis bolts. A torque wrench is also recommended to properly tighten bolts to specifications.

What is the average cost for a Miata harness bar and harness upgrade?

Budget around $400-800 for a quality steel or aluminum harness bar kit. Add around $200-400 more for a 4 or 6 point safety harness rated for racing use depending on features.

Is upholstering over the harness bar difficult?

Professionally wrapping the tubular harness bar frame along with custom upholstered and slotted seat backs requires expert skills. Consider hiring an automotive upholstery shop if you want a flawless finished look.

Can I install other equipment like seats to my harness bar?

Yes, many harness bars have additional holes that allow you to securely bolt in racing seats, brackets, cameras, and other accessories directly to the harness bar frame.