Fixed back seat question

equality72521 · 07-29-2010, 06:27 AM

How feasible is it to use the factory three point seat belts with a fixed back seat? Is it possible? Is it recommended? I don't really want a harness bar and harnesses for a car that is 99.9% street. However, I like the low weight and the looks of a fixed back. I currently have OEM sport seats that need work that will probably cost more to refurbish than a new set of seats. Thoughts???

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Not a seat safety guru but I can't see where there is risk to using them unless your new seat sits so low that the lap part of the belt rides on your belly rather than your pelvis. That could kill you dead.

You want to sell those sport seats?

equality72521 · 07-29-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

You want to sell those sport seats?

I will if I buy new seats.

Jim Richards · 07-29-2010, 10:51 AM

Recaro pole positions with factory 3-pt harnesses on the street (wife loosened her belt a bit - sorry Mr. Safety, where ever you are)

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by equality72521

How feasible is it to use the factory three point seat belts with a fixed back seat? Is it possible? Is it recommended? I don't really want a harness bar and harnesses for a car that is 99.9% street. However, I like the low weight and the looks of a fixed back. I currently have OEM sport seats that need work that will probably cost more to refurbish than a new set of seats. Thoughts???

factory 3 points work fine w/ fixed back seats, the only sort of tricky part is deciding where and how to mount the tunnel side receiver. On seats w/ high thigh bolsters the receiver will have to be mounted in the lap belt hole, w/ lower bolsters you can usually run it out side the bolster

high bolster w/ receiver through the lap hole

these are Pole Positions and just about the highest bolster that will allow out side receiver mounting

equality72521 · 07-29-2010, 11:09 AM

I don't want something too severe as I want comfort for daily driving. The two I'm looking at are the Sparco Speed 2: Sparco USA

And Sparco Chrono Sport: Sparco USA

H-viken · 07-29-2010, 11:30 AM

The Recaro Pole Positions are surprisingly comfortable and they make a version for the stock 3-point harness. I haven't had mine for that long, but made a weekendtrip and was very happy with them (4,5h to the track. Trackday the following day. Then 4,5h back home the next).

/Johan

Jim Richards · 07-29-2010, 11:37 AM

We drove about 6kmiles in 2 1/2 weeks with the Pole Positions. My wife thought they were more comfortable than any Porsche seats she's ever sat in.

equality72521 · 07-29-2010, 11:51 AM

Pole Positions are out of my price range.

Mark Mcgarry · Mark Mcgarry's Garage

I have the same question and was looking at these.

Cobra Classic RS Fixed Black Sport Seat

equality72521 · 07-29-2010, 02:34 PM

I know which seats I want, I just need to know if a three point system is feasible and safe to use with them. I can't spend $1500+ on seats, too much else to buy for the car.

equality72521 · 07-29-2010, 07:27 PM

So what do you guys think of the Chrono Sports? Will I have a problem?

Wil Ferch · 08-02-2010, 09:27 AM

First of all .... using a fixed-back bucket seat is no problem....look at how many RUF's and high-end sports Porsches are delivered that way in Europe. You most likely will need a lap hole and the versions you are showing don't have this. The first model you show is a tubular steel frame model and I have not found those comfortable. Look also at Cobra and Sparco Evo/Evo 2.

Rob B · 08-03-2010, 06:27 AM

"First of all .... using a fixed-back bucket seat is no problem"

It may be a real problem, it all depends on your body build. Being tall, I need a recline just to fit. It's too bad that you can't try new seats on an extended drive before purchasing. Rob

equality72521 · 08-03-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob B

It's too bad that you can't try new seats on an extended drive before purchasing. Rob

Exactly! It sucks trying to decide on a seat without being able to test fit.

gtc · gtc's Garage

I would strongly caution anyone against buying a seat without sitting in it. I always thought I wanted Pole Positions, but when I finally tried them out I discovered that my torso is a little too tall for the shoulder slots.
I thought that the line of Sparco Evos are nice, fit well, and are fairly comfortable. The Evo 2+ was tall enough for me.
I was not impressed by the quality of the lower end Sparcos, and their styling was not a match for my car.
Just my two cents.... YMMV.... caveat emptor... etc etc blah blah blah...

MysticLlama · 08-03-2010, 09:32 AM

I would agree. I wanted SPGs originally, but where the shoulder wings sit was a bit too high for me and the bottom of them was in an irritating spot, so I ended up with Pole Positions.

You really wouldn't want something where the shoulder slots were placed badly, that would just be all kinds of annoying.

Also, on my Pole Positions, I never felt that the 3 points were all that well situated, they came through the shoulder slot a little funny and weren't tight enough near the lap belt slot, so I eventually just got the harnesses for it.

There really are quite a few nuances to making it work.

Wil Ferch · 08-03-2010, 01:51 PM

When I said there is no problem with fixed back buckets....I was answering the concern expressed by how the original 3 point seat-belts are asked to work. My answer meant to address the point that it is "no problem"... as many RUF's are delivered excactly that way and the upper portion feeds thru one of the uper-seat holes as does at least one side ( buckle) of the lap position... it's been done.

No question.....a fixed back bucket is not for everyone yet that said, there are multiple height mounting points for the front and back of the lower bolster when using side-mounts...that can help with the amount of "recline".

gsmith660 · 08-03-2010, 02:18 PM

Do you have to have a fixed back seat? I love the feel of my hunsacker seats plenty of support definately will work with factory 3 points and will fold so my daughter can get in the back seat which is also 3 point.

equality72521 · 08-03-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsmith660

Do you have to have a fixed back seat? I love the feel of my hunsacker seats plenty of support definately will work with factory 3 points and will fold so my daughter can get in the back seat which is also 3 point.

No, I don't have to. I just want the light weight. I have factory sport seats now but they need work. I figured I could buy new lighter seats for what it would cost to refurbish what I have.