Seat choices FC
10-22-12, 12:19 AM
#1
Becoming pure track...
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seat choices FC
My original seats were very worn out, and the car is going to be full track prepared.... so, I was wondering what should I be looking for, or if anyone has advice on picking a good seat?
Car will be getting 5 pt harness.
I may let other people drive my car, and I am pretty tall. 6'5" 220 lbs, so I'd like seats that can be adjusted, relatively easily.
I saw some seats for $150 each from O'Reilly auto parts. The look alright, but I don't really know what I am looking for. Is it that race seats are generally lighter?
Global Servicing FML100 - Racing Seat | O'Reilly Auto Parts
That's a link to the seats. Looks like it fits the top part of the harness through.
I'm also not looking at spending a ton on seats. At most, $500 for both. This will be mainly an autocross car.
Any information would be great! Thank you!
Car will be getting 5 pt harness.
I may let other people drive my car, and I am pretty tall. 6'5" 220 lbs, so I'd like seats that can be adjusted, relatively easily.
I saw some seats for $150 each from O'Reilly auto parts. The look alright, but I don't really know what I am looking for. Is it that race seats are generally lighter?
Global Servicing FML100 - Racing Seat | O'Reilly Auto Parts
That's a link to the seats. Looks like it fits the top part of the harness through.
I'm also not looking at spending a ton on seats. At most, $500 for both. This will be mainly an autocross car.
Any information would be great! Thank you!
10-22-12, 01:12 AM
#2
Retired Moderator, RIP
iTrader: (142)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 0
Received 131 Likes
on
114 Posts
That seat will fit.
I have a set that is similar(but mine have a Logo on them).They have the little triangular seat adjustment **** on it.
I've seen other seats like it too,they advertise "rotor Shaped adjuster ****"..
Ya right,that is just the way they were designed!Triangular..duh!
I have a set that is similar(but mine have a Logo on them).They have the little triangular seat adjustment **** on it.
I've seen other seats like it too,they advertise "rotor Shaped adjuster ****"..
Ya right,that is just the way they were designed!Triangular..duh!
10-22-12, 02:06 AM
#3
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
If it's not a full bucket or a semi-bucket seat, it's not an upgrade.
That is a generic 'sport' seat. Not a racing seat. It will not hold any better than the stock seat, and I would bet money that it will be heavier and sit higher. In fact, it will probably have less hold than the stock fabric seat because it's fake leather. And leather is slippery. It also won't work with a five-point harness because there is no hole on the bottom.
BTW, keep in mind that your stock seat cost about $700 and was designed to be strong enough for Mazda to know you weren't going to sue them because the seat broke in an accident and you broke your neck.
A $150 reclining seat is not something I would trust me life with, personally.
A 3-inch harness and a good, quality seat is a the best upgrade you can buy for under $1000. Period.
Some cheaper full-bucket seats will be very flimsy which a racing harness strapped tight will make even worse. On a straight it might not matter, but at 1+ Gs, it helps to have a rigid seat. The difference between an $800 Bride seat and a $200 internet special is pretty big.
For your height, you will need a fixed-back seat and rails that put the seat to the floor if you want enough head clearance to wear a helmet and still have a proper driving position. And you'll probably have to take the cushion out of the seat.
There's also nothing wrong with a four-point as long as it's properly adjusted.
That is a generic 'sport' seat. Not a racing seat. It will not hold any better than the stock seat, and I would bet money that it will be heavier and sit higher. In fact, it will probably have less hold than the stock fabric seat because it's fake leather. And leather is slippery. It also won't work with a five-point harness because there is no hole on the bottom.
BTW, keep in mind that your stock seat cost about $700 and was designed to be strong enough for Mazda to know you weren't going to sue them because the seat broke in an accident and you broke your neck.
A $150 reclining seat is not something I would trust me life with, personally.
A 3-inch harness and a good, quality seat is a the best upgrade you can buy for under $1000. Period.
Some cheaper full-bucket seats will be very flimsy which a racing harness strapped tight will make even worse. On a straight it might not matter, but at 1+ Gs, it helps to have a rigid seat. The difference between an $800 Bride seat and a $200 internet special is pretty big.
For your height, you will need a fixed-back seat and rails that put the seat to the floor if you want enough head clearance to wear a helmet and still have a proper driving position. And you'll probably have to take the cushion out of the seat.
There's also nothing wrong with a four-point as long as it's properly adjusted.
10-22-12, 10:21 AM
#4
Becoming pure track...
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks! I think I'll need to find an area to sit in different seats. If I have to spend $1000, I will, I just don't wanna.... hahha!
Great information!
Great information!
10-23-12, 08:30 AM
#5
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
A decent fixed-back bucket can be bought for under $500... but if you have to spend a bit more to find one you know will be comfortable for 1+ hours, it's worth it. I bought my current car's seat online for about $300, but it's just tight enough that my right leg hurts like a **** after about 30 minutes. Kind of wish I had gone to a dealer and picked out one that fit me, but I didn't want to spend the money.
10-23-12, 01:56 PM
#6
Becoming pure track...
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think I'll be in any races that are longer then an hour.
Or, at least not anytime soon.
What type of seats do you have?
I've also considered taking the stock seats, and modifying them. What do you think about that? Maybe tighten them up some with better padding.
My wife would love to get a project like reupholster the seats.
Or, at least not anytime soon.
What type of seats do you have?
I've also considered taking the stock seats, and modifying them. What do you think about that? Maybe tighten them up some with better padding.
My wife would love to get a project like reupholster the seats.
10-23-12, 05:48 PM
#7
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
The stock seats don't have enough bolsters, but I don't think it's worth the effort to try to hack them up.
I have a generic no-brand FRP bucket seat.
For a track car, a fixed back seat is the only real choice.
If you drive the car to the track instead of hauling it, it helps for the seat to be comfortable. Fixed back seats aren't inherently uncomfortable, but you have to get one that fits you.
I have a generic no-brand FRP bucket seat.
For a track car, a fixed back seat is the only real choice.
If you drive the car to the track instead of hauling it, it helps for the seat to be comfortable. Fixed back seats aren't inherently uncomfortable, but you have to get one that fits you.
Trending Topics
10-23-12, 09:48 PM
#8
I have a Sparco Sprint 5... They can be had new for ~$350, I bought mine for around $150 used (but not yet expired).
They're FIA rated, they're cheap because they're based on a steel tube frame, so they're not the most comfortable, but not horrible.
SPARCO SPRINT 5 RACING SEAT
I'd suggest trying to find a race shop near you that has a few seats in stock and sitting in them to find out which ones you like.
They're FIA rated, they're cheap because they're based on a steel tube frame, so they're not the most comfortable, but not horrible.
SPARCO SPRINT 5 RACING SEAT
I'd suggest trying to find a race shop near you that has a few seats in stock and sitting in them to find out which ones you like.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 07:16 PM
