ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

forgive me, but i couldnt find any information from SCCA, CART-CT, NASA, or COM (sanctioning race bodies) rule books in regards to whether seats must be FIA aproved or not?

I know that harnesses must be FIA aproved, and in some cases a 5th point must be added (i have FIA aproved Sparco/Schroth harnesses, i just need a single sub-belt to make them 5 pt.)

i had my eyes set on a Sparco Evo seat for my driver side and a Sparco Sprint seat for my passenger side (both are FIA aproved and lightweight bucket seats, so they are appealing to me.) If aftermarket seats do not require an FIA aproval, i am looking at much lighter MemoryFab S58 seats. They do sell FIA aproved seats, but they require 3 months to be shipped out.

My dilemma is that i can order the Sparco seats and spend more money and risk them not fitting properly, or i can get the MemoryFab seats that i have seen fit properly in a FD RX-7 but not have the FIA approval (since waiting 3 months is out of the question.)

If FIA aproval is required, i have no other option but to get the Sparco seats.
any insight will be greatly appreciated. i am planning on ordering seats tomorrow om order to get my car wrapped up and ready for race season, and i am calling the national headquarters of all the Racing Sanctioning bodies i wish to race with in the future to make sure i dont waste money on seats i cant race with.

anything, anyone?
Sparco Evo

Sparco Sprint

MemoryFab S58

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Have you looked at the Momo Start? It's a cost effective FIA approved seat.

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

great recommendation. it is FIA approved and only weighs 14.5 lbs. great option.

however, i have my mind set on either the Sparco's or MemoryFabs
i just need the green light on if FIA approval is required or not.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I would get FIA approved seats whether its required for you right now or not. Obviously, on the streets it doesn't matter but if you ever really need it to be FIA approved, you'll already have the proper seat.

If you have the money and you are tracking the car, there is no real reason not to get a seat that is FIA approved. Again, just my opinion.

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

very good point, Mahjik.

correct me if i'm wrong, but FIA approved products are tested to make sure that they are safe, right? so i'd want them anyways, correct? plus, like you said, i might need them further down the line, so i might as well get them now, then have to sell non-FIA approved seats later for FIA-approved seats.

Black91n/a

FIA approved = crash tested. The SCCA and most sanctionning bodies allow non-FIA seats as long as they're mounted with a back brace. But I'd rather know it'll stand up to the impact even without a brace.

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

thats also a very good point. my life is worth more then saving $300, so i might as well go with the seats that i know have been tested to stand the impact.

i guess that settles it for me:
im going with a Sparco Evo seat on side mounts attached to a MemoryFab Super Low Position Seat Mount with Slider
<and a>
Sparco Sprint seat attached to either a Corbeau Bracket or the factory FD mechanism

i will be installing a roll bar (either Autopower or Kirk Racing, i haven't decided yet) first, in order to make sure the seats will fit with the roll bar. I will keep everyone posted on how it goes with fitment and installation in case anyone else is interested in the same set up in the future. i should have all the information in a month or so, since the cage will take 3-4 weeks to be fabricated.