Nomex Suits

[Tektrader69]

I am staggered by the price of some of the three layer suits here. So I am looking in the USA for one.

Can anyone tell me if the SFI/5 suits are approved for use here? I can only find a reference to FIA approvals in the CAMS rules which the US suits dont seem to cross reference to.

Any clues that will help ?

Edited September 10, 2008 by Tektrader69

[Duncan]

yeah I've only ever seen the FIA standards. Are you sure the US suits don't comply to them as well as the US standard?

Helmets specifically mention UK and US standards but not suits

[Tektrader69]

Helmets specifically mention UK and US standards but not suits

Thats what I found as well, I cant find any mention of whether SFI-5 approved suits can be used. THIS is the question.

I think I will be calling CAMS tomorrow and ask.

[Marlin]

Yes call CAMS. I know a few guys that run 2nd hand Nascar suits without dramas.

[WRRR]

If you are looking in the USA have a gander at upr.com under the garage sale race suits. Prices are very good and they will do Paypal which makes it easy as a lot of US companies won't take overseas credit cards. Wire trans is a pita.

If you get a euro brand (eg Sparco) they will generally be FIA and SFI approved from the states.

As an example I recently bought a Sparco Top 5, 3 Layer suit that is FIA and SFI 3-2A/5 approved. Best bit from UPR it worked out at AUD$680 delivered. Same suit is around $2g in Aus. I was lucky, last suit, big size and aus dollar up on the greenback but that is still a hell of a deal.

Happy shopping

[Duncan]

I'd be careful using a non-fia suit if you are at an event that requires a suit (normally only full on circuit racing or rally). just because someone at cams office said it was ok doesnt mean the random scruitineers out there will agree.

but if the event doesnt require suits then a non FIA approved one will be fine

[Tektrader69]

Its the size that is the problem. I am a big bugger and all the suits here I can get for a good price, are cut for little Italians and dont fit my shoulders. So I can rule out Sparco and most of the other Euro suits.

Thats why i was looking at the US to get one, as their sizes are closer to Aussie guys sizes. Its a big mistake to make when you cant try it on.

I wouldnt bother buying a NON FIA suit

Edited September 11, 2008 by Tektrader69

[PHaT MR30]

I bought my suit from the States and it was FIA 8856-2000 and SFI/5 approved,

It was cheaper to buy it then as the dollar was about .96 US but i believe now you will find its around .80 US.

Things to factor in include Currency exchange fee's.

Add into this they rip you off for shipping and aren't willing to declare a lower value.

Also as its a clothing item there is a tarriff of 17.5% on the total amount (includes shipping).

Starts to seem like its hardly worth it.

I still saved a bit on buying from the US, and the fact that at the time they didn't sell mine in Aus was probably the only reason. It can be purchased now from Revolution (Puma) and they had some pretty good deals on from time to time. I probably wouldn't do it again.

Just my 2c

[Marlin]

And don't you look pwiddy in it Timmy

[WRRR]

Gees Tim

You must have got a right nazi in your deal. No issues at all with my transaction. No additional taxes, etc. Shipping can be a bit expensive if they use Fedex or similar but good old US Postal Express works fine.

Tektrader - try on a local suit if you're not sure (I know its a bit mean spirited) then look OS. The bigger Sparcos have a reasonable amount of room. I am +46" chest and the size 64 Sparco (Top 5) fits well (tad tight around the guts but working on that as it shouldn't be there). A bit long maybe as I am only 5'11" but it is fine in the car (bit extra length/room makes it more comfortable).

It really is a deal by deal proposition but if I had stayed local I would have been forced to buy a lesser suit due to the $$.

[Tektrader69]

Gees Tim

You must have got a right nazi in your deal. No issues at all with my transaction. No additional taxes, etc. Shipping can be a bit expensive if they use Fedex or similar but good old US Postal Express works fine.

Tektrader - try on a local suit if you're not sure (I know its a bit mean spirited) then look OS. The bigger Sparcos have a reasonable amount of room. I am +46" chest and the size 64 Sparco (Top 5) fits well (tad tight around the guts but working on that as it shouldn't be there). A bit long maybe as I am only 5'11" but it is fine in the car (bit extra length/room makes it more comfortable).

It really is a deal by deal proposition but if I had stayed local I would have been forced to buy a lesser suit due to the $$.

You are spot on about the local suits.

I tried a few on today at revolution. Their 2 layer suit in XL fitted OK BUT when i started questioning them about what it is made out of. Guess what ?? No Nomex WTF ??

They want me to pay $699 for a suit that dosent even have Nomex in it Even their 3 layer suits only have a NOMEX outter Not inners.

The other thing that gets up my nose is that they want $180 extra to make it with action stretchy arms which I need. It isnt cheap anymore when you factor that in.

The Sparco's i tried that almost fitted are 64's. They are a bit tight for me I really need a 66.

I think I will try to find a Sparco 66 somewhere to try on. If it fits OK then i will get it from the US.

LOL about the exchange rate. I spent about 4K when we where are US 0.98 !! Got a brand new Z32 98 model year manual box for $2310 landed. Cheaper than a rebuild

I am so happy I spent the money when i did

[WRRR]

You are spot on about the local suits.

I tried a few on today at revolution. Their 2 layer suit in XL fitted OK BUT when i started questioning them about what it is made out of. Guess what ?? No Nomex WTF ??

They want me to pay $699 for a suit that dosent even have Nomex in it Even their 3 layer suits only have a NOMEX outter Not inners.

The other thing that gets up my nose is that they want $180 extra to make it with action stretchy arms which I need. It isnt cheap anymore when you factor that in.

The Sparco's i tried that almost fitted are 64's. They are a bit tight for me I really need a 66.

I think I will try to find a Sparco 66 somewhere to try on. If it fits OK then i will get it from the US.

LOL about the exchange rate. I spent about 4K when we where are US 0.98 !! Got a brand new Z32 98 model year manual box for $2310 landed. Cheaper than a rebuild

I am so happy I spent the money when i did

I am in the same boat 66 would be best but at the suit I got has the floating sleeves and stretch back so it makes it more comfortable and easier to wear (a few kg off and it would be even better). Have a look at the OMP suits. They seem to be a bigger fit than the other Italian suits.

Nomex, especially the shiny stuff, is very hard to get hold of now. Rumour has it DuPont is only supplying to the military due to high demand and no doubt good returns.

Good luck

[SRS13]

Size 66?

Check this out - might be worth trying to squeeze into...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Sparco-Racing-suit_...1QQcmdZViewItem