I have been debating getting a set of aftermarket seats, but I don't want to run into the issues that seem to plague most seats.

I need a seat that will fit my frame (6' 200lb).

I need a seat that will not hit the doors, hate that sound of the seats pushing on the door panel.

I need a seat that is comfortable enough for street use and not just a dedicated track seat. I am fine with an adjustable or fixed bucket (as long as it's comfortable). I have ordered seats before that have don't fit me or the car...I can't go any higher than the stock seats already go since I don't want interference between the roof and my helmet (R model - no sunroof).

I want a quality seat, not an Ebay special. I have had Momo, Sparco, Corbeau, Bride, etc...in the past, but every seat always had some type of issue that I had to deal with. The adjustable seats tend to be too wide, the fixed seats tend to be too narrow, etc... I think I would prefer a fixed seat with low side bolsters, just not sure which seat. I don't need the seat to hold a lot of lateral force since I don't road race or auto-x my car....but I also want to feel connected to the car, I don't want to just slosh around inside the car. I like the stock Base and R1 seats quite a bit, but I will need to run a harness and they simply can't do that. So if anyone has any ideas, please post em up.

 

Probably a stupid question, but have you ever tried sitting in the factory RZ/Spirit R Recaros?

 

Because you mentioned this car is an R model I am assuming it is an FD

Here is a good thread on the topic


https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/recommended-racing-seat-large-charge-aka-fatass-wideass-720061/



John

 

I just got done reading that thread...had some good information, but didn't seem to ever offer a solution. But he is bigger than I am, so I'm hopeful for less issues.

I have not sat in the factory RZ seats, if they can comfortably fit someone my size, 34-36" waist, then that would be great since I hear their fitment is spot on. Anyone in Houston got these seats so I can come and shove my fat *** in your little car?

 

A 34-36 waits will not be a problem in the RZ and Spirit-R seats.






John

 

Can you afford to loose weight? I'm basically the same size and I fit in my generic Japanese bucket seat OK, but I needed to loose a few pounds for the waist to be more comfortable. The bottom portion is definitely a little tight.

I don't know if they'll fit an FD, but any of the non-Japanese brands (Sparco, Recaro, etc) should fit OK. The large sized seats should fit fine. Like the EVO. If you REALLY can't find the right seat, you need to go to a showroom and actually sit in all of them.

There's no real reason not to run a harness belt other than "too lazy to install" or "can't afford to spend $350." A fixed seat is better than a stock seat, but it still can't compare to using a harness belt when it comes to track driving and autocross. I'm thinking about getting one for my MR-2 since I actually drive on the track a bit here.

IMO, the difference between a low-bolster fixed seat and a high-bolster seat isn't that big when you need to get in and out. Either one is going to be harder than the stock seat. Go in head-first and put your hand on the center console to set yourself in the seat. When you get out, put your hand on the door sill and lift yourself out. Not that hard. When I bought my seat I worried about the high side supports making it hard to get into the car, but it wasn't a big deal at all.

 

Sounds like I need to look into getting a set of RZ seats then...they look good, fit the FD like stock (no rubbing) and can hold my frame from the sounds of it.

edit: After looking at the prices....I'm not sure I can justify spending $3000 for seats. Does Recaro make any other seats that are a similar size that are just fiberglass vs. the carbon kevlar?

 

Does anyone have the size dimensions for the RZ seats so that I can shop around for similar sized seats that may fit the car w/o issue that won't cost $3000?

 

I'm sure you've seen this thread already, but I'll link it just in case:

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/list-seats-fit-dont-fit-789715/

I had a friend test out my Momo Start 2007 when we were thinking of using it for a Miata Chump Car project. He's a little taller than you, but sounds like similar proportions and he fit fine in it. If you aren't going to road race the car, another 'affordable' option:

http://f1spec.com/r1frp.html

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/my-fd-f1spec-gias-reclineable-seat-671937/

 

I bought an F1Spec Type III years ago for my FC... with Bride rails I had to redrill the holes in the seat for maximum head clearance, and the left bolster has holes worn in it, but otherwise I had no problems with it.

I got it for $175 though...

Last time I saw it the fabric had been severely faded from sitting in the sun though.

 

Thanks Kyle. Yea, I had been through that thread before...and it just seems that the RZ seat is still about the only seat that will fit the car and me. Ugh...my bank account is going to be so mad at me.

 

Still looking for a set of seats....debating the RZ seats, but the TX mile requires a 5-point harness and the RZ or Spirit seats are not designed for a harness really. I know you can run over the bolsters and such to connect it all, just curious if anyone had another other seats that were similar in size that would fit the FD well and be able to use a harness with.

 

why dont you just run the harnesses on the stock seats? they work just fine.

 

That doesn't sound safe.

 

You can do it. The problem is if you use a 5pt harness as you cannot properly mount the middle strap (I did this for a few years). You can do a 6pt decently on the stock seats however for best safety you want a non-reclining seat.

 

How do you run a six-point? They both need to be mounted through a hole in the bottom of the seat. At least in theory.

Don't get a set without a hole in the bottom if you are required to use a 5+ harness.

And you might as well get a six-point... it's only one more hole to drill and I think in theory it's less (or at least more even) pressure on your nuts.

 

A 6pt can go more on the sides than the 5pt which has no option but to be straight down the middle. The stock seat lower bolsters aren't too high that it interferes much with a 6pt. It's not a perfect setup like an actual approved racing seat, but it can work.

 

I take it you mean for it to go over the sides of the seat? With the driver's legs sitting on the straps?

That sounds like it's missing the point of a anti-sub strap... You might as well just have it there to keep the tech guys happy and not use it.

 

Not exactly, but it's not worth continuing the discussion.