How to install a Recaro Pole Position

porschenut · 04-09-2005, 11:03 AM

Bought a pair of Pole Positions, mounts and sliders from Speedware, and the only instructions included are for the sliders. And they are absolutely no help. I also had to go out and buy a bunch of hardware to attach the mounts to the sliders. Wow, over $3,000 spent and they don't even include all the hardware I need. Unbelievable.

Anyway, what's the order in which to install the 3 pieces? Do I install the sliders first, then the mounts to the sliders, then the seats to the mounts? Or mounts/sliders first, then that assembly to the car, then seats to the mounts? Or what? I'm guessing the second option would be easiest. Or do I mount everything together outside the car and then put the seats in and bolt the sliders to the rails?

Any clues would be appreciated.

Scooter · 04-09-2005, 11:42 AM

I am about to do the same install, but I've done it before. I installed the rails first, then the mounts, then the seat...all losely tightened so I could adjust for the perfect fitment. Good luck!

Craig 930 RS · 04-09-2005, 01:35 PM

Yup, the Scott method is the way.

Oh, if you got the side mounts from Speedware, be prepared for their razor-sharp edges and the gouging of your beautiful PP's black gloss finish if you don't use this method. "Ask me how I know"

porschenut · 04-09-2005, 06:56 PM

Thanks. I'll try the Scott method.

Regarding the Speedware mounts, tonight I found that the holes in the side mounts don't line up very well with the holes in the shell. There seems to be some variability here. Guess I'll have to start hacking away at it.

I pay $3k for this stuff, and I have to buy extra hardware, modify it to make it fit, and struggle through the installation with a worthless instruction sheet. I am decidedly NOT impressed with both Speedware and Recaro. Very shoddy execution by two firms that are supposed to have good reputations.

Wil Ferch · 04-10-2005, 01:20 PM

In fairness...these suppliers usually supply to race teams or other "fabricators"....

Although we are in the rabid street driving/occasional track use group...these kinds of pieces were never originally intended for "our" DIY / modded street car hands....

Wil

Craig 930 RS · 04-10-2005, 02:12 PM

Dave -

I HAD to file the Speedware side mount holes to line up.
Nice to hear they still have not fixed this problem.

MysticLlama · 04-10-2005, 02:46 PM

I talked to Speedware about the issue with using side mounts on Pole Positions and needed to file the top two holes on the front end if you want to use them. A round file and a few minutes and it's big enough, it's just a slight bit off.

They told me that the brackets are simply made to match the FIA specs, and that they conform to that when they build them. I think you'd run into similar problems with any other mount that follows the same specs. It's the same with where the holes are on the seat. So if anything, it's a problem with the specs being off, and no fault of Recaro or Speedware.

The hardware doesn't ship with the stuff, but they just gave me all the hardware I needed when I picked mine up. If you ordered online that may be the difference.

To do the install, I attached the front of the side mounts to the seats, and the rails to the sliders, then the back bolts to the seats.. being very careful to not scratch up the seats. I measured center to center on the rails vs. the bolt holes in the car to get it all ready, then mounted it in. They seem to want to be not *quite* straight to slide forward and back easy, still can't figure that out.

porschenut · 04-10-2005, 03:48 PM

So, step-by-step instructions and most of the hardware isn't normally shipped because most of their customers don't need it. I guess I can understand that. The holes not lining up is another matter though, I think. Surely the FIA would permit an additional 1/4" of length in the top slot, especially since users of these seats are forced to lengthen them anyway. I just don't get it.

BTW, what are the little black pillow-looking thingies for? I have one for each seat, and I assume they are either for lumbar support or additional seat padding. Anybody know where they go?

don911 · don911's Garage

The pillow looking things are for lumbar support, if you want them. The center, back padding is held on with velcro. Just pull it out from the bottom and slip it in where you want it.

BTW, the Speedware/FIA thing sounds like BS to me. I just bought some OMP side mounts (FIA approved) for a pole position and it comes with slotted holes.

Brey Krause makes side mounts specifically for the pole position. I have one and it fits perfectly. They are steel though and heavier than the AL brackets.

rdane · rdane's Garage

Don has it right, the Speedware excuse is bs. Just bad design and execution on their part.

An easy way to mount a set of Pole Positions is buy the seat side mounts of your choice. I used Spoeedware because they are local and cheap not because they are all that well done. They aren't.

I used factory OEM sliders as have others instead of the funky and expensive Ricaro sliders. You can use the OEM style single locker or add a bit of strength and use two locking sliders as I did.

Cut and fit the sliders to the mounts. No big deal with a cut off grinder, drill and a hand file or two. Takes 15/20 minutes or so per seat.

Add some paint to the cut outs on the mounts if you like but the cuts aren't visable.

Decide on the seat rake you want and use a rat tail file to open up the slots if yours (Speedwares) don't fit what you need.

You can decide on that by setting the seat and rails on a box and making a simple mockup. I just bolted my seat in the car and decided from there if it should be changed. It did, so I dropped the seat into a more reclined position and opened up the holes as needed with the mounts back out of the car.

My prefered progression now is mount the OEM sliders to the side rails in your shop. I then loosely mount the seat to the still loose side mounts that are bolted into the car.

After the width and position is correct for you snug them up and pull the seat back out. Crank everything down and add the seats and their four bolts. Easy!

BTW using the OEM sliders will save you a bunch of money as well and be a lower seat position install.

Get a refund on the Ricaro sliders.

MysticLlama · 04-10-2005, 05:37 PM

Not to mention that the Recaro sliders seem really heavy. I didn't pull the originals off of the original seats, but don't see how they could be this heavy.