Feedback on Sparco Halo seats and install in a 911

jager911 · 03-06-2012, 07:20 AM

I'm installing Sparco Pro Adv Halo seats into my 74, pictured below.
Part of my concern is adding some head safety, I read the downsides getting out of the car in a hurry through the window. I have a removable steering wheel and I'm well practiced at climbing through the window as I switched to an open trailer last year and the fender gets in the way of the low door.

Looking for feedback on ease of use primarily on the track, are they claustrophobic?
I don't have a right side mirror now and rely on a large convex mirror inside.
For very limited street use, the occasional Sunday autox, I realize there is a potential for blind spot but want to hear from someone who's actually using these seats and pros/cons.

Also, looking for feedback on how to install on stock seat mounts, I'm thinking of using double-locking sliders with side mounts, do the generic Sparco sliders work?
I have installed other seats, Kirkeys. OMPs etc so I understand the principles, I would like to know which specific parts to buy to avoid returns. Thanks!

privatepang · privatepang's Garage

Wow nice seat! cant provide any feedback but keen to see photos once installed. Looks like a really tall seat. Nice buy!

CCM911 · 03-06-2012, 11:30 AM

You should get on the RTR Forum to see if anyone in our region will let you sample their's before you go through all the trouble to install. A ton of guys are using them.

johnghini · 03-06-2012, 11:52 AM

I put a single Recaro version in my turbo which should have the identical mounts to yours I think (although don't quote me on that). I bought the Recaro side mounts and Recaro sliders and it bolted up without a hitch. I would think Sparco would have the appropriate hardware or you can order adaptors from Brey Krause if memory serves. I think if you are tracking, you would avoid the sliders as they put you up a bit too high.

I use my car on the street a fair amount and don't have any issues with the halo but looking over your shoulder is a thing of the past; you will need to rely on some convex mirror lenses. I personally think the comfort of the seat and the safely aspects are worth it but it is not nearly as convenient as the stocker. I have a quick release and it makes all the difference when exiting...not sure you could do it without one.

You will be able to use your stock seat belts although they will not conform to your body being that it is submerged within the seat. Legal yes, the safest...probably not. I would suggest a dedicated truss for a harness or better yet, hooking the harness to a genuine roll-bar.

jager911 · 03-06-2012, 06:48 PM

privatepang,
Thanks, they measure 36" tall, same as the currently installed Kirkeys but more comfy.

Chris,
Thanks for the tip but already bought the seats. I run some RTR events mostly at Pocono, do you have the wine red Targa? I'm in the Red run group with the '74 IROC-look copper 911.

jager911 · 09:32 PM

Johnghini,

Thanks for the user feedback, that's good to know.
I don't look over my shoulder at all in my street cars so I won't miss that. I'm only 5'7" and used sliders in 2 other applications and height was fine. My current Kirkeys are fixed but thinking of doing these with sliders as it's easier to get in/out even with the quick release wheel. I'm adding convex side mirrors on both sides when I paint the car so hope that suffices for the street.

I found some Sparco sliders on eBay with side mount brackets included, think I will try those. The plan is to mount the sliders to the stock seat mount points, then mount the side mounts connecting the sliders to the seat, sounds like it would work? I have a rollbar now and harnesses go over the cross-bar.

On Kirkeys, I used Kirkey side mounts. For carbon seats in my 993, the seats were narrower and I found Momo makes mounts which are wider at the bottom and tapered at the top and those worked to adapt to stock 911 sliders as I wanted to keep the car streetable.

jager911 · 03-10-2012, 06:03 AM

Anyone used these? I'm a little leery of the 2 small side brackets instead of a single bracket like Sparco or Recaro. Seems like the seat would flex.

2 Racing Seat Universal Slider & Side Mount Kit ONEPAIR | eBay

wildcat077 · wildcat077's Garage

I don't see any problems using the smaller brackets as it's the harnesses that are restraining you anyways ...

As for the seats flexing,my EVO's flex even with the larger full size brackets !

Cheers !
Phil

jager911 · 11:34 AM

Wildcat077,
Hmm, that's not good news, I don't like seats flexing, as I have fixed Kirkeys now and they are rock-solid. They serve as a butt barometer to connect with the car and feel what it's doing. I already have a set of Sparco side mounts, I'll use those for driver seat and passenger seat will have the small mounts for the occasional student ride. Thanks!

umgang · 03-10-2012, 06:30 AM

Hey there_
i have a dual purpose street and race car. Race in NASA and PCA CR.
At first the halo seat was claustrophobic but you get use to it quickly.
The seat itself is much more comfortable than the standard pole positions i use to have-
deeper, more snug,...
Visibility wise i have a panoramic mirror inside, and a left side sebring mirror and i have no blind spots. Just play around with the left side mirror to get the closest line of sight to the that side of the car. I cannot see my right mirror because of the halo- but the panoramic covers that area fine.
I run a right side net anyway for extra safety though it is either/ or as stipulated by the sanctioning body i.e. NASA CCR or PCA club rules.
Have not had to do a window exit, but did get pulled into scrutineering after a race and had to do a 10 second exit out the door- no problems. The quick release steering is a must.
Lastly, mounting- the safest, and best is to bolt directly to the floor [ with reinforcement plates on the underside of the car]. This also allows you to lower your center of gravity and move closer to the center tunnel / middle of the car- which aligns you better with the offset of pedals
[especially in older 911s].
Hope this helps - good luck!

jager911 · 03-10-2012, 06:47 AM

umgang,
Thanks, all good advice there. I already have the large convex mirror inside with no right side mirror now so should be covered there. I'm also installing Sebring mirrors so good to hear that still works. Do you have your LHS Sebring in the stock location? I'm using the flag base and installing the Sebring on top per posting on Pelican.

I have the current Kirkeys mounted to the stock supports which were welded for better reinforcement. The problem is I'm short (5'7") in torso and need the height. I mounted older Koenigs before about an inch lower and felt like I was looking at the wipers and had to use square tube as a spacer to raise the rears higher.

umgang · 03-10-2012, 08:24 AM

Concerning the driver side Sebring mirror_ no i moved it forward.
If you figure the center of the two OEM mounting holes- i went 5 1/2 inches forward and
1 1/2 down - center of sebring mounts.
I mounted the Sebring identically to the 1975 RSR Sebring mounts right on the doors.
It helps to have an assistant hold the mirror in place while you sit in the driver seat.
IMHO, the flag mirror mount creates drag and is not nearly as streamlined as the original intended purpose of those mirrors.

The right hand mirror is really there for aesthetics to balance the look of the car; and, for me or a passenger to see what is going on behind the car.

Mounting_ i am only 5' 10" and when i first mounted the seat to the floor [ when cage was installed] i too felt i could hardly see over the dash board.
This is akin to the adjustment to the halo seat- i was use to how it was.
Now i love it, and could actually stand it lower IF it were possible.

There is no doubt, bolted low to the floor and over to the tunnel, you feel more integrated and
get much more sensory feedback from the car.
When i get back in my street M3 i feel like i am sitting up high in a booster seat!!

In the end, the main thing, is you have a comfortable, tailor fit for yourself.
My wife does drive the car occasionally, and i put a thick pad behind her lower back to push her forward closer to the pedals.

jager911 · 03-10-2012, 09:38 AM

Umgang,
Going slightly off-topic but it's related to being able to see with the halo seats.
Would you mind posting a pic of your mirror position. I'm also doing the passenger side for balance and aesthetics. Is your LHS mirror flat or convex glass?
The car is getting a glass-out repaint in a couple of weeks and now is my chance to get it right rather than put the mirror in the wrong place. How wide is your internal convex mirror? I have a 12" and it's been fine with no RHS mirror.

umgang · 03-10-2012, 09:57 AM

Funny_ is the car you are building originally a 1974?
Mine is a 1975- or started out that way_
sending you a pm about pics.
I believe it is flat.
My internal mirror is a 4 panel wink, so it takes care of everything from just forward of the B-pillar on the passenger side around the back of the car to just forward of the B-pillar on the driver side.
Thus, the Sebring on the driver side takes up from the B-pillar to beyond the front of the left side halo wing, at which point i can see to the side.

My buddy has the Longacre convex mirror which is not as wide as a 4 panel wink, and he has no problems. He runs the 935 style mirrors on the exterior which IMO are useless, visibility wise.
They look great though!

jager911 · 03-10-2012, 09:59 PM

Yes, '74, thanks for the pix. I mocked up my mounts today using stock Porsche sliders, waiting for double lockers to come in to install in the car.

Walko · Walko's Garage

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads20/Generic+slider_bracket1331388159.jpg (post 7 above)

Can anyone tell me in this image if the way the sliders are sitting in this photo is the correct way to install or should they be the other way??

Thanks

Michael

jager911 · 04-03-2012, 04:33 PM

Those are the ones I bought off eBay, they're a good value at $95/pair shipped. They are upside down in the picture, I mounted the other way and the seat bracket has a flatter surface area to sit on. The rails are very sturdy, the handle is a little flimsy, the supplied brackets don't work with Sparco seats as the angle is wrong but they could be bent to work. I found the seat was too high with the red brackets above so I drilled another hole in the rear about 3/4" down and it's perfect. BTW, very comfy seats and first trip on the street was not claustrophic at all.