RZ Recaro seat question
 

Hey guys. Considering picking up a set of recaro RZ seats. I just wanted to know, do they have the hole in the seat bottom for a sub belt? Also I know there was a few guys on this forum that can import them, but couldn't remember who off hand. Any suggestions with that? Thanks

I can mention a vendor that imports. Purerx7 imported mine along with a bunch of other stuff for me. I'm pretty sure non of the RZ seats have the hole on the bottom. I've heard some did (newer red RZ and Spirit Rs) but I have yet to see any pics with them.

I have a set of Spirit R seats and they do not have holes for the sub belt.

Yea goodfella does not have them on his either.

And you know this how? You're a little too familiar with my FD, Dr. Choi :squint:

:lol:

Thanks Andy!

I have never seen an rz/spirit-r seat with a hole in the seat bottom for a seatbelt. To my
knowledge that does not exist, perhaps on the miata recaro seats which are similar.

Nope.. I have both Spirit R and RZ and no hole under the seat.

Let me fix that for you Phil...

^^ LOL! Unfortunately Its all wrapped up and getting ready move to a new house in May.. Then, My SSM project begins with those puppies going in along with bunch of new goodies including new engine, turbos, etc...

To the guys that track their car with these seats, does just a 4-pt harness do well? Does it fit snugly at your hips since these seats also dont have openings in the side for the belt, so it will actually have to go over the bottom seat bolster befoe crossing to your hips. I do realize for a track seat there are much better alternatives, but I do like these for the ease of fitment and ability to retain OEM seatbelt functionality also. Im just worried for the trackdays that I do they wont be sufficient.

I think Rich uses them at the track.. Not sure with 4 pts though.

I recently switched to Bride Exas III and using stock belts... and Brides just hugs you and much better support than RZ or Spirit Rs. But getting in and out or if you have a waist bigger than 34-35, it could be a problem. I'm 33 waist and its a snug fit. Once I get the car dialed in a bit, I'm going to get 4 point and go on couple of track days.. But if you have 34-35+ waist, I would totally use RZs.

DO NOT do serious tracking with RZ seats!! Excessive seat flex on high G turns will crack the "Kevlar" shell...I found a crack right at the rear mounting mount after I started tracking...now the seat flexes too much and will probably get worse.

FIA approved SIDE mount race seat is what I'll be buying soon....

Don't get me wrong I LOVE these seats, but if I were to pay that much for seats again I would have gone for Recaro SPG's or Racetech's.

Oh and no I don't have a sub belt slot either.

I also have spirit r seats no holes either

I just put a set of RZ's in my FD and love them.

I have been told that the shell of rz/spirit-r seats is actually fiberglass just with a kevlar over-lay, which would be pretty sneaky since they were about 4k a pop from Mazda. It would explain the cracking mentioned above too. However I have not verified this. Better seats available for less money IMO.

Gordo... what carbon fiber seat? The SR/RZ's are all the same... never changed over the years besides the color of the fabric used. To those who think the seats are carbon/kevlar, they are not ;) . They are carbon/kevlar COVERED (as in, just a layer of C/K on the back of the seat for looks only). The seats are completely fiberglass. These seats date back to the early RZ's which should be around 1995? I know these seats were used in the SP race cars though (I cant find my saved pics, but they are in the SP race car for sure).

To whomever asked, no there was never a sub hole or mount in these seats, and I would NOT attempt to add one. Your best bet is a Schroth 4 point harness with ASM (anti-submarine) which is basically extra shoulder material sewn into the inner shoulder strap. In an accident, the extra length unfolds and your bodys momentum which would otherwise slide you DOWN, goes into rotating your torso side to side. I believe the ASM is also compatible with a HANS device.

I can show anyone interested my setup, but without a full race seat it's the only way to go, and is DOT legal on the street if you get the push button cam lock.

-Heath

Heath, I would like to see your Dot legal belts :)

I think the weave of the seats are different. Either the RZ vs. Spirit R or the Black vs. Red. Yea the black RZs have been around forever.

i was wondering about the weave of the back... it looked slightly different to me too. Anyone got pics of the backs?


Yeah I thought they were solid kevlar too, then I disassembled a set I had and was really surprised when I disassembled the set I had. But yeah, regardless I think they are great street and light track seats.

YOU are right! I just went down to check on this and the weave are different from RZ and Spirit R.

Here is a picture (sorry for the plastic wrap.. I didn't want to un wrap it).

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...nny/SRvsRZ.jpg

lol . be patient Andy . It took me nearly 6 months constantly searching. Then I drove 800 miles, to get my set.

are the head rests as flexible on the SR's vs the RZ's?

I probably should have just waited longer instead of getting my RZs haha. Where did you search? Did you import on your own?

i have the RZ's in my car and both are different weave pattern? does that mean that i have an RZ and a Spirit R? :scratch::scratch: freind of mine noticed it last week due to this thread. i will post pics later.

How much do you weigh and how are you (if you dont mind me asking) ... and do you have RZ or SR seats? Reason I ask is these seats have been around since 95 in the RZ's. Thats a good 15+ years of wear, and they all come over here quite well used unless they are the spirit R seats which are A) newer B) less miles and C) typically have less kilometers on them.