im debating on buying one of those fake bucket seats. I don't want to spend so much on a real bucket seat

 

I forgot to mention I will just be going to track day events, no competition. If I get a genuine seat, it would be used

 

What does a "fake bucket seat" mean?

For me, anything related to my safety is NOT where I want to save a buck or a grand.
And, I do consider track day events a form of racing, as speeds can get high, and things can happen, though rare.

 

how can a seat be fake?

 

Lol I want to read where this is going...it's pretty funny

 

You have an FC right? Lots of seats fit in that!

Cobra seats are nice, FIA certified and start around $400.

By fakes do you mean the fake Brides that are all over Ebay? I have a couple friends with them. They look good new, but feel pretty flimsy and the cloth fades very fast (in weeks for the Red!)

 

we just put a new sparco (i think, i don't follow sports) dumbo ear seat in the race car, and it was only $600 new.

 

In general, it's a bad idea as you have no idea how strong the mounting locations are on those counterfeit seats since there is not testing/certification. While you never expect to have an incident on track; it's better to prepare and not have one rather than not preparing and then having one...

If you are going with a fixed back/bucket seat, what else are you planning for safety? Rollbar, cage, 5/6 pt harness?

 

I wanted to get the seat first. I have the most torn up driver seat ever, and its embarrassing.
I wont have a roll bar anytime soon. I haven't looked, but are there any good mounting areas on the stock chasis for a harness?

Ill have to see what kind of deal I can get on a real racing seat

 

I don't want to be "that guy", but you really need to think through this for your own safety. It's not really safe to do only parts of the safety as it can make things more dangerous if there is a track incident. What I'm referring to is that to be safe, you need to do one of the two setups below:


1:

Rollbar/cage
Fixed back seat (preferably FIA certifiied or with seatback brace)
5/6 point harness

2.

No rollbar/cage
Reclinable seat (or seat designed to be used with stock seat belts)
Stock belts with CG Lock


The reason is that a fixed back seat with a harness will hold you upright. During a rollover event, your head will be the highest point inside the vehicle without a rollbar/cage. When/if the roof caves, your neck/spine is the compression mechanism. With the stock belts and non-bucket seat, they will allow your body to contort so in that event, your body can slide a little and not be held upright like a post. This is why you really need to do everything at once or go a different route. If you never plan to do a rollbar or cage, then go with a "sporty" seat which offers some better support but still works with the stock belts. You can then use the CG Lock which will provide better support while on the track and still be safe. When you are ready to go the full route with a rollbar or cage, then you can do the fixed back seat and harness.

Now, there are cars which come stock with fixed back seats, but the seats are typically designed around stock seat designs. There are those who just buy race seats and throw them in cars with stock belts and no rollbars/cage... It all depends on how much worth you put on your life... I know I took some uneducated risks in my earlier "car years" and nothing bad ever happened. However, now knowing what I know, I cringe at some of the choices I made and I'm just thankful I never had to understand how bad of a decision it was at the time.

 

Hey Mahjik, What is a CG Lock?

Sorry for the stupid question, just read with interest and I am currently utilizing option 2.

Thank you sir!

 

I vote REAL, especially since you like to go to the track. At least put in a Corbeau Forza. They're cheap, crashtested and FIA approved. While you shop, you'll probably come across seats that say TUV on them.

FIA = racing approved

TUV = German Road car standards. Similar to DOT, but with much more strict standards.

 

(darn Edit button...Not even 2 minutes)

CG-Lock Autocross/Solo Driving

 

Do not!! Buy spec f1 seats do not get those seats , they fit the car , but the construction is extremely flimsy , depending what track day club you run with they may inspect your seat and if they see a flimsy cheap seats they will not be happy!

 

I remember this kid who bought a pair of Corbeau rep seats for his M5 and the adjustable recliner broke on the backstretch. Imagine suddenly being pinned down by your seat belt or held up by only your harness going 140km/h.

Would you risk saving a few bucks for that trade off? Just get a used seat like a sparco. They go new for 600 but can be gotten used for 400 or less depending on wear

 

Thanks for the insight!

I've been lusting over the FC3s Infini bucket seats, but given their rarity and ongoing used prices, a similar in (size) Corbeau/Sparco seat was in order. After reading your comments, I guess a fixed bucket seat like the Infini ones are not a good idea without a rollcage

 

Ok guys. I decided to not get a imitation Recardo and save for a real Recaro, or at least a certified seat.
So it's not safe to runa bucket seat and have the stock seat belt?

 

Oh, I have a pair of the infini FC seats I can sell you at a lower price

I went with the infini seats when I was faced with the exact same scenario as you with my FC.

Just go with a real race bucket for racing is all I have to say about that dream.

 

Cheap

What about a roll cage? I wont be doing any REAL competition, the plan is to do a couple of track days a year, and as many auto x a year as possible. I know my intentions do not require a bucket seat, but if I am spending $$$ on it, might as well go with a bucket (well that was the idea till Crispy's insinght on the matter)

 

I'm not familiar with that seat, but if it's a bucket seat like a "Jeep bucket seat" (think Corbeau Baja seat) then it could be used with the stock seat belts which would be fine. If it's a racing seat which has the holes in the sides for a harness, then yes that would not be a good idea without all of the supporting safety equipment.

 

Stock Infini seat has no holes in the sides or bottom for harness.

The side bolsters are just giant foam wings (which do a good job of holding you in).

The hole below the headrest that looks like it would work for a harness is too low so the bottom of the headrest could pull down on your shoulders with the harness (aka spinal compression fatality move).

They are heavier than stock TII seats as its a steel pan bottom with steel frame and lots of foam and alcantra.

The bottom pan previously mentioned is heavily cushioned and comfy, but you sit a little higher than stock TII seats. Probably a bonus for '80s Japanese people trying to see over the dash of a car made for the US market.

The US passenger (JDM driver!) rail is flawed from the factory with a notch on the outside rear mounting point. Mine broke on DOT-R tires with my 100lb GF in it.

You can re-drill and use the stronger US passenger rail.

They do look nice, have good shoulder and bottom support, fit easily in the car, have that JDM swag and if asked at track days you can say they are stock (though not really as they did not pass US crash standards).

All in all, they are like the bottom mount stock Recaro FD buckets everyone goes nuts over- cool to look at and because they were stock in Japan, but cost too much and inferior to real side mount FIA bucket in every way.

 

I personally think this is worth a decent read. I know some people might argue with it, but Takata is well known for their safety belts.

Takata Answers Your Questions

 

Takata is well known for some other stuff lately too.

 

I would use the money you are saving and buy a used Autopower FC/FB rollbar, and a Kirkey seat. It will solve all your problems, and still be perfectly safe to drive on the street.

Buy a Kirkey Series 47. They are ~$450 for the seat and cover and they are badass. It will bolt directly to the stock driver side slider with $20 in parts from Home Depot Racing. It fits with tons of extra room in an FC. They come in 4 widths, 15"-18" and are very comfortable. It is also very easy to add extra padding to them if you desire.



If you want to spend less for around $275 you can get a spec Miata style seat, this is a Kirkey series 41. I run one as a passenger seat.



I know we are local so if you want to check it out sometime, let me know.

 

Cool thanks! There are so many Bride, and Recaro at the shop everyday its making me want to be a name brand *****, but they cost more than my car is worth. I will def look into the Kirkley seat!