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RZ Recaro seat question

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Old 03-30-11, 11:56 AM
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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
Old 03-30-11, 12:13 PM
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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.
Old 03-30-11, 02:17 PM
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I have a set of Spirit R seats and they do not have holes for the sub belt.
Old 03-30-11, 02:43 PM
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Yea goodfella does not have them on his either.
Old 03-30-11, 07:20 PM
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Angry

Originally Posted by Supernaut
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

Old 03-30-11, 07:28 PM
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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.
Old 03-30-11, 09:46 PM
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Nope.. I have both Spirit R and RZ and no hole under the seat.
Old 03-30-11, 09:59 PM
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Let me fix that for you Phil...

Originally Posted by Herblenny
I have Spirit R seats that I'm going to sell Andy
Old 03-30-11, 10:07 PM
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^^ 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...
Old 03-31-11, 02:16 PM
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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.
Old 03-31-11, 03:24 PM
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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.
Old 03-31-11, 03:54 PM
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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.
Old 03-31-11, 04:28 PM
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I also have spirit r seats no holes either
Old 03-31-11, 06:40 PM
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I just put a set of RZ's in my FD and love them.
Old 03-31-11, 06:49 PM
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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.
Old 03-31-11, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by gmonsen
pandazrx7... I could see the fiberglass seats cracking, but not the carbon fiber? The early carbon fiber seats werte identical in construction to the Recaro Ferrari challenge seats and Porsche Recaros of that time.

Not saying its a good race seat, but never heard of any problems with the CF.

Gordon
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
Old 03-31-11, 07:09 PM
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Heath, I would like to see your Dot legal belts
Old 03-31-11, 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by RotorMotor
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).
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.
Old 03-31-11, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Supernaut
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?


Originally Posted by gmonsen
Rotormotot... Thanks for the info.. Didn't know that. Bought them thinking they were made of the stuff. Awfully thin fiberglass then. Very light for fiberglass. Still think its the best seat for a mix of street and track.,

Gordon
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.
Old 03-31-11, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Supernaut
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.
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).

Old 03-31-11, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Supernaut
Let me fix that for you Phil...
lol . be patient Andy . It took me nearly 6 months constantly searching. Then I drove 800 miles, to get my set.
Old 03-31-11, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Herblenny
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).

are the head rests as flexible on the SR's vs the RZ's?
Old 04-01-11, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by tnn
lol . be patient Andy . It took me nearly 6 months constantly searching. Then I drove 800 miles, to get my set.
I probably should have just waited longer instead of getting my RZs haha. Where did you search? Did you import on your own?
Old 04-01-11, 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Herblenny
YOU are right! I just went down to check on this and the weave are different from RZ and Spirit R.
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? freind of mine noticed it last week due to this thread. i will post pics later.
Old 04-01-11, 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by PandazRx-7
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.
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.



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