Must fit in car w/ helmet.... pleeze help :)
 

Well I finally got my baby back on the road tonight and now more than ever I want to take her out to the track and show her (and me :p ) a good time!

I'm 6'4"-6'5"ish... and have a touring... so you can guess it's gonna be a site to see me in there w/ a helmet on. I'm not quite sure if you HAVE to have a helmet to hit the track but I'm almost positive. The next stage of upgrades I'm planing are suspension (bushing, springs, shocks, links).

But before that I need to find a way to fit in the reX w/ a helmet on. I also planed on after market seats and if this is the way... someone please lead me to the promise land. I only need a couple/few inches and I'm gold! Are there any seats out there that can help me w/ this goal? (perferably reclining ones incase it's harder to fit in upright).

tia, Chris.........

I'm sure someone else will be able to comment on aftermarket seats that will help, but if I remember correctly there is info on either Robinette's or Cirian's site on how to remove some of the padding from the stock seats to give you that extra inch or so you need. Do a search in these:

http://www.rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/

I am same height as you and have no sunroof. (Do all tourings have sunroof?) With my helmet on I still have to scrunch down in the seat very slightly to keep from poking through the roof. I only autox so I only have to maintain this posture a few minutes at a time. I can't fit in any FD with a sunroof; even without a helmet on.

Some have changed seat to gain some room. I have seen no way to lower the stock seats in order to gain headroom.

I think the only real answer for you is to remove the seat rails, and bolt them straight to the floor. An aftermarket seat will help a little over stock, but it's the seat rails that are really going to make the difference. More info on the aftermarket seat install is here:

http://www.wurthmotorsports.com/how_...co_install.htm

I beleive all tourings have sunroofs... at least mine does ;) I'm gonna pickup a helmet here soon and see what I got to work w/.

I had a feeling that I would have to remove the rails... and thats ok w/ me because the ONLY person that gets to drive my car is me :D

My big question comes w/ after market seats. W/ the stock leather seats all the way back and reclined (means I slouch a bit and my back dosn't fully sit on the seat) I have probally 1 to 1 1/2 inches of headroom (maybe I'm wrong.. it's hard to tell). If I get an after market seat should I look for one that can recline? I coudn't imagine trying to fit sitting straight upright. Is there any issues w/ relicing seats at the track or SCCA? Plus does anyone have dimensions of the stock seat? I didn't find actual SEAT dimensions on those pages... but I'm looking at the CORBEAU seats... maybe the Carrera?

I have a Corbeau Forza II bolted right to the floor with some custom brackets I made. Before that I did the seat mod and took about 1.5 inches of foam out of my stock R1 seat. It's now for sale if anyone needs a hight modded "suede like" black R1 seat.

I have the same problem... myself and a few other people have done a fair amount of research on the subject to see what alternatives there are....

Bolting the seat to the floor is your best bet, however, in doing that, you've removed the ability to adjust your seat, so you are the only person who can drive your car - which, I suppose, isn't that terrible. The only problem you'll run into is the very small tub for the bottom of the seat. There's very little seat room in the FD, so not every seat you'll want will fit. Generally, you can't get one with adjustment knobs on the side - if you do, you'll probably have to remove the knob.

The Sparco Carbon (now known as the Roadster) will fit and is a pertty good seat. It has rubberish gaurds on the sides of the seat so you don't tear the fabric after getting in and out constantly - which is something you'll want if you plan on driving the car alot.

The Sparco Pro 2000 is a really good competition seat, but might be a little bit of a pain to deal with on a daily basis because of its high bolsters.

I've heard that both the Sparco Tourino and Milano will fit, but have issues, which is unfortunate because the Milano is an awesome seat, and would be my first choice if I could get the damn thing in the car.

Mazdaspeed makes seats for the FD that add a bit more headroom (not much)

The Recaros out of the JDM RZ would help out too, but are ridiculously expensive.... $3400 - $3800 a piece if I remeber correctly.

There are a few more options that I don't have with me (I'm at work)... PM me if you'd like them.

Jedon: How was the Corbeau Forza II fit? it is wider than the Forza correct? Any idea if you can use the stock rails? Any pix?

thanks

the_saint

If you use the stock rails you will be no lower than the original seat. I even tried low profile rails and it didn't really work. I ended up just making some simple brackets out of bar stock and bolting it to the floor. The fit is fine, my 6"1 225 ass fits..snugly but it fits. If your ass is any larger than mine though you might have problems fitting as the sides of the Corbeau are high and not expandible at all.

BrianK-

For the Tourino & Milano- what are the issues?

Never mind about the Tourinos- I saw Jayspec's page.

Jedon: I am cursed with having a tall torso, and short legs. hmmmm I need all the head room I can get. I wanted to avoid bolting the chair in place to facilitate getting in and out as I have to move the chair forward to be able to push the pedals. Hmm I will think of something, thanx for the reply :) You sure can't beat the nice price of the Forza.

the_saint

Me too! I have to order jumpsuits a few sizes too large so they don't ride my nuts!
Although the Forza is inexpensive, it shows. The fabric is some polyester type stuff and after a while you can see the springs through it.

yeah me too...I'm only 5'8"...but my legs are short also...I have the Sparco Supersports (milano)...had to remove a adjust knob from each side....but oh the suede leather is sweet.plenty of stick !.. I think there are some pics in the interior mod sections..where some one is asking about aftermarket seats..