Recaro Pole Positions?

MysticLlama · 08-31-2004, 08:51 AM

Does anyone have Pole Positions in their daily driver or track car?

I'm looking at getting a pair, but I'm having a hard time deciding.

After sitting in a bunch of them at the shop, the only one I liked a lot better was the SPG, but it was tight enough that I thought it'd be annoying in a daily driven car.

I'm only 5'9 and about 155, so the PP is "too big" of a seat for me according to the specs, but it would still be multitudes better than the stock seats.

So the questions I have are:

1.) Does anyone have them in a daily driver (or a similar seat like the EVO2, or even anything with shoulder bolsters). Is it annoying, or fine once you get used to it? Anything to look out for?

2.) I don't forsee getting any actual track time in for at least a year, and even then quite rarely, just the occasional Pelican drive or road trip. The fact that's it's not AS supportive as a tighter seat won't be that big of a deal will it? It's still going to be better than stock.

3.) How does the velour fabric on the Recaro's wear? Does it last a really long time, or get dirty and worn easily?

And anything else you can think of that would be useful.

I may just get one today since getting both would be a big $$ stretch, but I have to decide by this afternoon since the sale ends.

They would be about $610 each without the brackets after tax, and it's local, so no shipping to worry about.

Eric Mckenna · 08-31-2004, 08:58 AM

Yes, lots of guys have them and there is always praise for them.. I have them as well.
If you do a search you'll pull up LOADS of threads onthe seats and owners opinions on them..
Great seat choice!
Eric

MysticLlama · 08-31-2004, 09:01 AM

Duh, I'll go search for it again.

I was doing that all over the place looking for ones for sale, but I completely spaced it when thinking about asking about them.

KobaltBlau · 08-31-2004, 09:14 AM

my only opinion is that any streetable seat will not have the ideal fit you'd search for in a racing only shell. I mean, good reclinable seats like the SRD/Speed only come in one size. And I think if you get a shell that really fits you the way you want it to for the track, it would be difficult to drive daily.

BUT more importantly, why do you want these if you haven't done any track time? There are guys in my club with old-style recaro sport seats, and also SRD seats, that are very very fast on the track. you have to choose something that fits you, but I would recommend the recaro SRD or a comparable sparco for spirited street and track use, just make sure you get one with the anti-sub belt hole in the base. I think if you skimp on brand and buy a knock-off or even a corbeau reclinable seat you may lose out on comfort. It is definitely desirable to have sat in the seat you choose to spend the $$$ on.

And actually I would wait until you have some track time to see what you want to spend $$ on (it will probably change). Stock seats aren't that bad for anything you can do on the street.

MysticLlama · 08-31-2004, 09:38 AM

Well, the biggest thing is that the PPs seem like they would be much more comfortable than my stock seats.

I don't have sport seats right now, and the stockers are really spongy and feel kinda tall as well. I also can't get any rake.

The reason I think I'd like the other ones better is that my other car is a '93 Prelude VTEC with some really tight stock Recaros with some really nice side bolsters.

I've been used to getting in and out of it, and there is actually very little wear on the driver side bolster just because of how I got used to swinging in and out of it, it's got 145k on it.

I don't ever run to the store or anything, if I do it's very rarely. My shortest trip would be 15 minutes to the mall, typical trip is 30-60 minutes, so the jumping in and out isn't a huge deal since I don't make a bunch of stops all over town.

I tried the reclining ones there, but I didn't like any of them even as much as my Honda seats. With the seats in the Honda, I don't know they are there, they just fit, that's the way the PP felt at the shop.

Back seat access doesn't matter, the most I ever do is throw a laptop bag or something back there, the folding seats are gone and there are no seatbelts, so no one gets in and out.

KobaltBlau · 08-31-2004, 09:43 AM

did you try the Recaro SRD/Speed? They are very comfortable to me but every body is different of course.

Craig 930 RS · 08-31-2004, 09:48 AM

.

Comfortable on long trips

Adjusts for pitch with 2 front bolts

A little bit loose - I am 6' and 197 lbs - since you are smaller the SPG PP may fit better - but I would still buy the PPs for your intended use.

Send me a PM and come by for a drive - I am home until 4 pm

Buying yours from Speedware?

BGCarrera32 · 08-31-2004, 09:54 AM

I opted for 1 of each...I'm very happy even on 2 hour trips with my Recaro PP...

Have a Recaro Speed on the passenger side for different sized instructors, passengers, etc. and they can recline/adjust the seat to their liking. Both seats are mounted on sliders, and bolted to structural steel channel that I welded to the frame after grinding out the factory mounts. Lowered everything about an 1" by doing that. I'm 5'8" 190lbs and am very happy the Pole Position.

The velour covering is a little more of a pain to keep clean but I found Recaro's price increase for leather a little astronomical...

Craig 930 RS · 08-31-2004, 09:56 AM

BG -

Off topic, but.......Where did you get the rear carpet set? You like?

MysticLlama · 08-31-2004, 09:56 AM

Yeah, I'm planning on going to Speedware, and the 15% off ends today.

When I was there a couple weeks ago, I definately thought that the SPG put me right in place more, but it seemed like it might get annoying to drive daily. My shoulders also didn't quite land in the right place to the bolsters, so I could tell they were there, and when in the PP my shoulders lined up perfectly and the seat didn't seem to exist, which is what I was going for.

Even if they aren't tight, they seemed like they would offer a lot more side support than my stock seats.

I should have posted earlier, but I have been waiting on a check a long time and just got it, of course on the last day of the sale. Otherwise I would come up and go for a ride, but work is still crazy lately.

Besides... after riding in something with that much power I'd probably start scheming on how to come up with more than I paid for my car to get a new engine for it.

MysticLlama · 08-31-2004, 09:59 AM

Yeah, that carpet set looks good, I'd like to know too.

The seats are just one part of the big effort to change the interior over from brown (yuck)

You said you welded in new brackets? Would I be able to install them with brackets to the stock locations myself, or do they all need that kind of work?

Wil Ferch · 08-31-2004, 10:02 AM

My friend installed Sparco EVO 2's...very similar in size / type to Recaro PP's. Works well in his street / DE car...not a daily driver but a commonly driven summer car.

IMHO... I like the one piece shell type seats, even if they're a "bit" bigger than ideal, they would hold you in-place better for DE and such. The worst case is that you move 1/2" or so sideways before you get "grabbed". Big deal? I say no.

And that extra size comes in handy if you wear light summer clothes and later some heavier clothes when it gets cooler.

Although, you do need to recognize how you'll use the car...and if that would work for you. Considerably lighter than stock. Even if you don't need access to the rear, consider how you'll clean side and back windows. Ready to remove screws to do that ???

I haven't done this yet, but I'm favoring this approach over tilt-type seats. But....I may change my mind ...

---Wil

KobaltBlau · 08-31-2004, 10:09 AM

Very cool, BG. I've been thinking about changing to that same set-up, but have been concerned about the comfort of the PPs on road trips. I do ~5 hour trips a few times a year.

What is it about the PPs that gets uncomfortable after 2 hours?

MysticLlama · 08-31-2004, 10:13 AM

I could probably squeeze behind the seat with it pushed forwards, and if not weasel between the seats.

I can always unbolt on occasion if I have to. And just make sure that I clean the windows when I do rear deck stuff, get to doing the carpet, get around to a shift coupler, etc. etc. since I'll probably end up pulling the seat anyway for those.

About 4 more years when I hit 30 I may have to rethink the weaseling around plan, but for now I'm still scrawny and nimble for the most part.

Craig 930 RS · 08-31-2004, 10:13 AM

PPs get uncomfortable after a few hours??

Not for moi. 6 ft, large frame, sciatic nerve bugging me but ZERO problems with my PPs. No bracket issues either in the 79.

The leather PPs are what $1,100 each, cripes.

BGCarrera32 · 08-31-2004, 10:19 AM

I could go longer in the Pole Position; 2 hrs is just the longest I've done in them so far. If you have a so-so back or something just keep in mind you can't get reach for the lever and tip the thing, they are truly stuck in place. I have an Audi A4 with leather seats and all the power adjustment crap...I'd rather have PP's in there.

The PP and Speed will bolt right on to factory mounts. I just needed helmet clearance because I have an unusually long torso and like to sit low. Wil is right on again that these seats are a big improvement for DE even if you do slide around a little.

The carpet set is from Bob at Appbiz.com, with a special order red edging. It took some screwing around to get it to fit the way I wanted because what I should have ordered was the standard Carrera kit and I got the RS kit. Not his fault. Carpet is domestic and not as nice as OEM, but better than 20 year old stink...

KobaltBlau · 08-31-2004, 10:46 AM

I do have a so-so back, but I have seen velcro-on lumbar pads for seats like the PP that I think would work well for me.

Craig, how is the padding on the base after a few hours? do you use your 5-points on the street?

Thanks, everybody.

Craig 930 RS · 08-31-2004, 10:54 AM

Padding on the factory base is really comfortable - the lower back padding I improved with and bulb-inflatable lumbar support from one of the upholstery places found in Pano - HIGHLY recommended.

FWIW the Sparcos seem to slouch forward, really uncomfortable for me.

I don't use the 5 points on the street (too much of a PITA) - I have the 3 point belts still attached

KobaltBlau · 08-31-2004, 11:04 AM

Thanks Craig, all that makes sense. the SRDs are comfortable for me but a setup like BG's would be very nice.

BG, have you had any chance to compare the lateral support between the SRD/Speed and the PP? I would expect the PP to be better, but I know it won't fit me that tight side to side: 6', 180lb.

Jack Olsen · 08-31-2004, 11:10 AM

Everyone's back is different. I found that on 3+ hour trips, I was getting pain in the base of my neck, between my shoulder blades. Then I tried running with the seat adjusted back, for a more rear-leaning position, and found that I could drive all day in the seat and not mind. So, some adjusting might be necessary, and the position that feels best on the track might not be the most comfortable for long hauls on the street.