Valkyrie

I got the idea that perhaps one could modify the stock seat instead of getting a new one...

Basically, cut open the bottom, remove all the foam, weld some metal pipe to the metal frame of the bottom of the seat (with some sort of bracket to hold it about two inches higher), cover the pipe in padding, place thinner, denser foam into the seat, to lower the eyeline, and to give more fore/aft hold (so you don't slide back and forth), since the front of the seat should be a bit higher, supporting your legs better (don't have to hold it up any more)...

Then have the seat re-upholstered, and hopefully it'll look decent, with some big side bolsters and more headroom.

bryanfc

or you could not sit in a deathtrap and buy some decent seats..

Valkyrie

Um, the stock seats are safer than 90% of the aftermarket seats in existence.

All this would be doing is adding some side bolsters and giving it thinner padding.

daviddeep

iTrader: (4)

You could also try to find some TII seats, which are a huge upgrade from the S5 GTU seats. I used to have an S5 GTU myself, and the TII seats in my S4 GTU have much firmer, deeper bolsters and offer more support overall. It would probably be nearly impossible to find them in blue to match your car, but maybe you could get some of the gray ones and dye them?

BklynRX7

Its the stock seat belt you should be scared of. Well the s5's anyway.

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Not when you tear them apart and weld metal pipes on them. There's nothing wrong with the stock seats. If you want better seats then buy better seats. For the cost of reupholstering alone you could buy a pair of average quality racing buckets.

Valkyrie

Not true... a local shop quoted me at $175, which isn't nearly what a decent name-brand (ie, FIA approved) bucket seat would cost (and that's not including brackets/rails).

Also, what I'm suggesting is simply adding some Recaro/Bride-style side bolsters... it wouldn't hurt safety unless you were an incompetant welder, or set it up so the pipes themselves could come through the padding and hurt the driver.

It wouldn't affect the safety in terms of the seat's strength or crash resistance.

Then again, I'm going to install the bucket seat I bought months ago as soon as I can afford some Bride rails and lose about 20 pounds (it's a bit tight...lol).

helghast7

iTrader: (6)

my stock seats are perfect...a little worn, mind you...but they feal better and safer than all of the stock seats i've sat in.....including some brand new 07 perfomance cars.....350z, s2000, and some bucket seats ive sat in to.

well this is just my opinion anyway

Valkyrie

OTOH I can't find a good position in mine (partially because my butt slides back and forth), and the lack of head room drives me nuts in the morning when my hair is sticking up, or when wearing a helmet (In which case I have to open the sunroof and turn my head sideways).

fc808vert

not worth the effort and time

helghast7

iTrader: (6)

really you slide? mine keep me firmly in place....do you have different seats? mine has the back support like bucket seats have

SpeedOfLife

iTrader: (16)

I finally got to drive a TII and WOW, once these things get going they don't want to stop! But I share the same problem, I'm too tall for the car and when I get a TII I'll definitely need to do something about the seat height... while I didn't look at the seat assembly, it might be possible to just cut the mounts and weld lower ones so the rest of the seat works properly.

REVERE

I have a mazdaspeed seat In my fc and it sits a fair bit lower than stock for all you tall guys, they go cheap on yahoo Japan shipping is the only real cost.

You could allways remove the rail and bolt the seat down if you car isen't a daily driver

Valkyrie

Part of the reason might be that my bolsters are totally worn out. That, and I have to recline a fair amount so I can see my gauges, turn signals, and avoid rubbing the roof with my head.

I think I might just take my seats out, and switch the passenger seat (which is in much better condition than the driver seat) with the driver's seat (obviously changing out the rails, since they're different).

Although I imagine there will be a problem with that seeing as how the controls are different sides... and the seat belt loops as well.

Suiicidalpenguin

If your seat itself is in good condition, or at leaste semi-good condition, an uphosterer can just pulll the fabric up and repad the insides. Or have him make a padded slip cover. Cheap and effective, that is if it's a good uphostere. Some just make slip covers that just sorta sit on there and don't actually get pulled tight.

SpeedOfLife

iTrader: (16)

When I get a 7 I want to be able to drive it every day if I want or need to. Are those seats on yahoo adjustable like the stock ones? Could you post a link to them?

Valkyrie

But I'm so desperate for headroom I just assumed buy a full bucket seat (I did; I just never installed it...actually I did, except the installation sucked so I took it out and sold the bracket I bought).

Also, seat covers suck since they make you slide around even worse.