Aftermarket seats

kellzey · 07-15-2002, 04:54 PM

I've seen lots of threads on intalling aftermarket seats in 914s...

Mostly, people have questioned about which seats can fit the backpad and how to adapt to the stock mounting rails.

Assume the backpad is out and it's not an issue anymore...

I haven't seen any mention of using the seat mounting hardware available from the seat manufacturers themselves.

Some offer side mounts, some offer sliding rails. Is it a problem using these type of mounts in the 914, or are people just looking for the easy install...

campbellcj · 09:05 PM

From what I've learned thus far, there are a few issues to contend with. One, obviously the available area (width) in our cars is pretty narrow. That pretty much rules out any side-mount seats so you want one that is bottom-mountable. Second, you have the cross-member thingie and the built-in tilt of the stock seat bases; you basically need to duplicate somewhere close to that angle or you'll be sitting in a strange flat position. (I've heard of guys cutting out the cross-thingie which apparently is not a major structural component, esp. with a full rollcage). Maybe good for the real big guys, but too low for others. Lastly from what I hear a lot of the track sanctioning bodies like to see race seats firmly bolted directly to the the floor in some way, i.e. no sliders or tilt-bases although simple bottom mount brackets are probably fine -- BUT any bracket can lift the seat up a few inches and put your helmeted head up into the roof. Obviously in a (track) 914 you want to keep the seat as low as possible to the floor...really just enough to get a wrench under there to bolt it in somehow.

The Konig P700 (older model) seat I'm using at the moment has the stock rails bolted directly to the bottom frame of the seat - no brackets/adapters at all. That means it is actually OK head-clearance wise for me on the stock bases. I think it sits at least as low as the stock seats, or maybe lower (plus I'm only 5'10" or so). But, as soon as the car is farther along in its race prep, I'll be bolting the seats in, and ditching the stock bases. For now it's very convenient to be able to pop the seat in or out of the car in a few seconds to be able to work on the interior.

Cheers,

Brad Roberts · 07-15-2002, 10:28 PM

Every seat I install utilizes the mounts you have pictured. Depending on the heigth of the person who owns the car depends on whether I cut the cross brace out. The shorter the person...the more of the brace I have to cut.

If you plan to race the car in ANY sanctioning body... buy a FIA approved seat and their mounting brackets. This way you dont have to have a seat back brace.

A seat with very high leg bolters will bug the crap out of you when mounted to the factory seat rails... I actually angle the seat/brackets towards the gas pedal (think twist in the seat) this keeps your knee from being in a hyper-extended position while at full throttle.

Let me know if you need pics. I have 4 race cars in progress right now.

B

airkwld · 07-16-2002, 03:21 AM

B,

Yes, some pic's would be great.
I am in the process of mounting Sparco Ultra's in my 914.
I am looking to cut the cross piece, any advice? My wife
drives the car and she is 5'2", need the seat to slide so I
can drive too, I'm 5'10". I got a deal on the Ultra's they have
side and bottom mounts. Also, I have Sparco sliders and side
mounts. Use: Autocross and DE.

Thanks,

J