Help with seat selection, PLEASE

DByers · 09-23-2004, 11:59 AM

So after yesterday waking up at 4am to drive 2-1/2 hours to the track, doing five 30+ min run sessions, then driving the 2-1/2 hours back home, all in a modified original 71 non sport seat (think all padding and springs removed in lower portion to gain headroom) my back is killing me. (Tyson can confirm the lack of support)
I am hoping for some input from the bigger guys (Im 6'4" & pushing the 260lb mark) on the board as to what seat they have for good support in terms of weekend driving and around 10 DE's a year. Would like to add 5pts ( are these safe?

) also. I know its best to sit in them, but at least a some direction would be nice. So who is making seats for us linemen type guys? How about something that might be more period correct? Money is always an issue but I dont mind parting with it if the particular item is worth it. Any of you SoCal guys know of a place that stocks and lets you sit in the seats?

Just a guy trying to get his Stay Puff more worthy,
TIA

ZCAT3 · 09-23-2004, 12:15 PM

Dan - depending on your hip size, Recaro Pole Positions may be the seat for you. You can also mount these to the floor to gain some head room. I use these and am 6'2" and maybe 200 pounds. I have more room than I need, but they are snug enough to keep me in place.

Wil Ferch · 08:50 AM

Look at my FK seat thread ( aka "NEX" seats)...these are Far Eastern knock offs of Recaro Pole positions...at $320 / PAIR ( ! ) including aluminum side mounts....great deal.

Sparco EVO 2 or 3's ( depending upon, umm....girth), that are really nice one piece shells.

Then, again at a lower price point...the Corbeau FX1's (I think) that are around $290 / each and fit up to 44" waist....

At a higher price point, it seems you can't beat a Recaro PP, but in all cases you must test fit.

--Wil

IceBlueSC · IceBlueSC's Garage

If you are looking at Corbeau or Cobra seats you may want to consider this:

This just in. FIA has released their latest test results and it appears that ALL CORBEAU RACE SEATS have LOST their FIA approval. What does this mean? You will no longer be able to use any FIA rated Corbeau seat in competition without a back brace. The Cobra Monaco also failed this test and had it's FIA rating revoked.

I found this on the On-Track Performance website (http://on-trackperformance.com) while searching for Recaro seats.

Good luck!

RallyJon · 09-23-2004, 01:20 PM

Quote:

What does this mean?

It means Corbeau chose not to pay the fee, which is the primary requirement for getting FIA approved. The Snell Foundation they're not...

Corbeau seats are just as good (or as mediocre) as they've always been.

bigrubberjeep · 01:52 PM

This probably doesnt help much but Sube Sports in Huntington Beach has about 12-15 different Corbeau/Sparco and Momo seats you can try.

JTO · 09-23-2004, 01:41 PM

Hi Dan,

I'm 6'4" and about 210. I love my Recaro SRDs. They provide super support to the thigh and lower back with good side bolstering. I am relatively narrow in the hip and have good comfort even on very long drives. They bolted right in to my '75. I paid $420 per with the antisub belt hole.
Downside? Hard to keep lint free. Other downside, I have to have the seats lowered to clear a helmet.

Here's some photos:

ted · ted's Garage

6'6" with a custom Kirkey seat.
Custom fit to order for around $600.
Car is used 90% of the time at the track.
Or should I say it's used 100% while at the track.

Get youself a correct fitting safe race seat and change it out for the DE events.
Save the period correct stuff for the car shows and the other 355 days of the year.

MIK911 · 09-23-2004, 10:58 PM

Where in LA are Recaro's avail to 'sit in' before purchase?
Does Sube in H.B. carry Recaro's?

thanks
mike

look 171 · 09-24-2004, 03:25 AM

Hey JTO, where did you find these seat at that price? Thanks, Jeff

Vipergrün · 09-24-2004, 06:58 AM

Dan, mine are the Corbeau FX1's and they make an FX2, which is wider. They seemed to fit you ok. A wider seat would not work in my SC cuz the FX1 barely clears the door. Bummer they lost their FIA rating. Oh well, guess a back brace is a good idea anyway....sigh. Another one is starting to slide

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

In for a sheep, in for a lamb; may as well do it right the first time.

vlocci · 09-24-2004, 07:22 AM

I'm 6'4" and 250 myself, and recently went through the same problems finding a comfortable seat.

I managed to get a used set of EVO 2's for fair money. Nice seats if your OK with a 1 piece shell (makes getting to the back seats just about impossible.

I also ordered a set of FK seats that Will found just because. Honestly, they are as accurate a knock off of a pole position that you can get without stamping Recaro on them. I'm honestly impressed, especially considering the price.

I did shave a bit of foam from the lower cushion, which is no big deal as the covers are simply held on with velcro. The fabric seems OK, and is holding up fine in my daily driver. Nice thing is it is held on with a simply cable around the outsider (ala Recaro) so getting a new cover made should be a no brainer working from the original as a pattern.

The aluminum brackets they give you work fine with the stock sliders if you elect to use them, or offer a great place to bolt directly to the seat rails or floor.

One caveat, they seem flimsy when you first receive them and sit in them in your living room. Once bolted down, they firm up 10 times over.

Vin

JTO · 05:47 PM

look 171:
I got mine through RPM Racing in NY. Look them up on the web. The shipping brought the total up to about $460 per seat. The rep told me that Recaro was discontinuing the current SRD and trying to get rid of stock. That's why the prices are so low.
Troy

DByers · 09-24-2004, 10:31 AM

Thanks for all the responses guys. I have found a place near me (Simi Valley) that has alot of Corbeau and Recaro's in stock. Looks like I will be taking a drive next weekend to do some sitting. I am not ruling out the FK or NEX (APC) product yet and will get a better idea of fitment after some seat time in the showroom. I still am looking to kill two problems with one answer. We will see if I can.

MotoSook · 09-24-2004, 10:40 AM

Good luck Dan...a good seat is great on the track..but I think you know that. Welcome to the slippery slope buddy.

DByers · 09-24-2004, 11:31 AM

For reference, this is what I did to my seat and what it looks like now,

So anything would be better at this point except maybe a milk crate. Been driving the car like this for over a year and the track days and spirited driving take a hug toll as I am fighting to stay seated. It really is exhausting and probably dangerous to expend so much energy trying to stay in the seat and drive my Stay Puff at the same time.

This is one of the seats I will be looking at. It can be made with sub strap holles for a 5pt system.

Another option would be something along these lines

Trying to get it all together by December so I can make the POC driving school.

Souk, I think its more of a cliff then a slope!

Jack Olsen · 09-24-2004, 12:25 PM

Werks II in Burbank has Sparcos/Recaros to sit in.

Wil Ferch · 07:04 AM

Some more options that are off the beaten path include:

Sparco Ultras....a somewhat smaller and less aggressive shell type that still has FIA certification and one of the more inexpensive Sparco's. Sparco Ultra, anyone here tried this seat?

Or the nice fold-back ones ( like SRD's) made by Bielstein....model 894's....either from Bielstein direct in Europe or from the supplier who set up shop in Nevada. http://www.bielstein-ohg.de/BF-Sitze/MONZA/monza.html#8943

Here's a pic of the 894's installed in a red 911:
http://www.bielstein-ohg.de/BF-Sitze/Einbau-Beispiele/einbau-beispiele.html

Do a search here in the archives for more info...

Wil