az_lynx

Well I have been thinking quite a bit and I know I need to get suspension upgrades. I have NO clue what to get tho. I was going to keep my stock wheeles for track racing and auto-xing and get a nice set of 18's for show. I have talked to alot of people and quite a few suggest that I join the group here in AZ and Auto-x my car and see what I like the feel of before I start on my suspension. That way I can get a better feel for what I want. I have decided they are probally correct. In order to auto-x my car I have to wear a helmet. So after I just wasted your time here is the question.



I'm 6'5" W/ the stock seat pushed all the way back and reclined a little I have about 1" clearance. I need to fit in the FD w/ a hemlet. I have talked about this before and decided I'm ok w/ bolting the seat down to the floor w/ no rails seeing as I'm the only one who drives my car. The car will be daily driven, I will show the car and take it out on the track. I was thinking reclining seats so I could get better head room if needed but somone told me w/ side brackets you can mount the seat reclined.

I need to know where the best place to get seats is. What seats I should look into. What seats will fit in the FD? I need one that can be mounted as close to the ground as possible to give me the most room. I'll probally get some harness seatbelts at the same time... what belts are the best? Give me your opinions... I'm ready to buy now! I'm gonna get me some tires for my stock rims, 2 seats (will probally mount the passanger on rails...) and seatbelts. Then track my car to try and figure out what suspension mods I want.

Thanks in advance

BrianK

If you want to get it mounted as close to the floor as possible, you want a side mount seat (where the brackets are vertical - which makes the mounting points on the side of the seat instead of the bottom). You'll need a seat that's on the slim side because the tub that it has to fit into is very cramped.

The Sparco Roadster seems to be a good tradeoff between performance and every day usage. It has rubber (or plastic) guards on the side so that you don't wear out the fabric by sliding in and out & it's not too terribly deep.

The Sparco Milano and Tourino are the most comfortable (and they're adjustable), but you'll run into some fitment problems with the adjustment *****. That said, there are people that have put both kinds in their cars.

I hate to give the old "do a search" but I started a couple of these threads a while back & got some pretty good responses - so it might be good to take a look back.

Anyone else? I still haven't upgraded my seats & am trying to figure out what route I'll go too.

az_lynx

Well I found a Sparco dealer right down the street w/ seats in stock. I'm going to go at lunch and check it out. He also suggested not using the Sparco side mounts seeing as they are a little high but he will get me all the specs to make my own brackets to save a little more. From what I can tell everywhere in town and on the Inet the price is the same. Anyone know of any good places to buy?

az_lynx

I got $100 off for a small tear in the seat.... He called up Sparco and they said either discount it or send it back to us.
The coushions are removable and you can change the padding in them! The whole cover can be removed so I'm going to take it and get the tear pro stiched so it dosn't spread but you can't see it anyways (when it's in the car)

theman

I also recommend the Sparco Roadsters for much of the same reasons. I actually think they're more comfortable than the torrinos because of their angle at the shoulders.
They are also the easiest of the non-adjustables to use for everyday driving.
If you have larger than a 34" waist they might be too slim fit for your hips though.
For the install I disagree with your shop on that one... Get the steel brackets that bolt to the side and then to the bottom of the car. They cost about $40 a pair and will take up much less of your resources for the install...
They make aluminum ones too but they're not worth the extra money for the very minimal weight difference.
Also I'm a Sparco dealer and the reason you see all the same prices is because anyone selling sparco has their prices set by sparco, otherwise Sparco won't distribute to them anymore.
So if you do buy them, get them from your local shop and save yourself the shipping.

az_lynx

Cool I suspected about the price thing.... I think I posted at the same time you did I was able to get $100 off... I'm really happy now to find out that the price is set. That makes me feel even better

Since your a dealer.... he showed me in his catalog the OLD brackets that were just easy 90 degere ones. He said they discontinued them and they did look much shorter than the new/current ones. What was wrong w/ those? if they worked I don't see why I can't save a little more room by making my own. Please... Input is great!

BrianK

excellent choice! Get some pictures when they're in... I'd love to see 'em. Also I'd like to see if you get any rubbing at the shoulder.

You and I are the same height, so fill me in on the details.

az_lynx

Welp.... bad news.
I just took out my seat. I then proceded to place the new seat in the car (on the floor w/ no brackets). Sitting upright w/ no pads in the bottom of the seat I have about 1 inch clearance. I don't have a helmet but I would have to guess that 1 inch is NOT enough room. I don't know if you have a touring but I can honestly say that if this isn't going to work I don't know what I'm gonna do! I bought this car because it's my dream car. My dream also involves running this car at the track. I am SOOOOOOOOOooooooo bummed right now. I don't know WHAT to do Any other suggestions. Do you think I might be able to SQUEEZE in w/ 1 inch clearance?

streetpower

I recently installed the Roadster seat in my fd it was pretty simply using the sparco slide brackets...but for your height i will have to go completely custom...i will start with the side mounts.......oh the seat does not touch the door panel...they actually look like the recaro seat in the Type RZ...will post pics up soonSTREETPOWER