FIA Harness

In NJ at least, yes.  Per 13:62-3.7 (c)2, it's good until 12/31 of the expiration year.

Yeah, I remember.  I think the NJ state police updated their regulations since then, that jbl referenced.  I was 99.9% sure I was reading everything right.  I just wanted a second set of eyes on things since our team spends extra on safety gear (and $600 was budgeted for a new harness) and I now I can push that expense off a year.

2. FIA 8853/98 (updated September 28, 2012), incorporated
herein by reference, as amended and supplemented,
and available at http://www.fi a.com/sport/Regulations/standregs.html,
seat belts shall be valid for fi ve
years from the year of manufacture. Belts are stamped or
printed with an expiration year. FIA seat belts expire on
December 31 of the year printed or stamped on the FIA
tag. FIA tags are located on each leg of the shoulder belt
and lap belt, and on one leg of the crotch strap.

Edit: I was reciting the previous rules, but those have changed for 2018. The rules now state that any belts with a manufacture only date, no expiration, are only good for 2 years. Belts with an expiration date are good to that date. So if they are tagged with an expiration date for 5 years away, you get 5 years.

NJ would still be a wild card, Wondering if they'll still shoot down SFI only belts after 2 years even with expiration dates.

It looks like you're partially right. Rules:
3.F.2.a Five- or Six-Point Harnesses Mandatory.  Five- or six-point harnesses mandatory, including fifth or fifth/sixth “anti-submarine” belt. All harnesses must be in excellent, near-new condition, properly mounted, and carry SFI or FIA approval tags. Harnesses with expiration dates are not valid after the expiration date. For the 2017 season, harnesses with a manufacture date but no expiration date will be valid for five years after manufacture if remaining in excellent, near-new condition. Beginning with the 2018 season, harnesses with a manufacture date but no expiration date are acceptable for two years after manufacture. Shoulder harnesses must be two totally separate belts with separate mounting points (ie, single-point Y-belts are not allowed). When viewed from above, shoulder harnesses should be closer at their mounting points than at their seat-entry points. All lap belts must be standard 2-inch or 3-inch width.

So I guess that answer depends on if your belts have an expiration date, or only a manufacture date. I will change my above post to stop confusion.

As in the absolute cheapest harness you can buy?  Remind me not to race on your team...

Just kidding.  I know, I know...  Minimum standards and all that.  Just like what do you call the person who finishes last in medical school?   Doctor.

Although the FIA is 5 years, technically it's 6.  If I were to order a harness now, it would come with a 2024 tag.  There are FIA harnesses for $200 ($33/year).  The SFI harnesses are about $69 for 2 years, recert for $50(?) for $30/year.  :shrug:

Racequip makes an FIA certified 6 pt cam lock harness for $200. We had previously been using G-Force, and much prefer the Racequip. Much nicer adjusters.

http://www.racequip.com/seatbeltsharnes … ssets.html

When I bought belts two years ago, I compared the same belts by the same manufacturer (truly apples to apples) and the FIA were $20 more than the SFI.  $20 for three extra years?  Yes please.

I know it is not Takata.  I'll check the car tomorrow and get back to you.

The latter we (I) know they did and reported them when they argued with me that they had authorization from SFI to do so...but that was almost a year ago.

We have those in the Mercedes diesel. If you're the only person that ever sits in that seat, they can be adjusted properly to work perfectly. When you have 4 different bodies to accommodate, they absolutely suck.

While I certainly understand the desire to save some green, my safety gear is not the place I scrimp.