What seats are you guys using?
 

I have had some trouble deciding on what kind of seat im going to use for my project FC... Ill be road racing, autoXing and drifting, so i need a good seat. anyone have some advise (keep it semi-cheap plz, no 1500$ seats for me!)

thanks in advance!

~Charlie

I'm installing a Kirkey Intermediate road race seat at the moment..

PaulC

wow i think thats what im looking for! ...how do I measure what size butt i have?

and how are you mounting the seat?

Um.. Sorry, can't help you measure your butt ;)

I weigh 270lbs, 5'10", I'm good in an 18" seat. An overweight guy will do ok in a 17, average 180-200 lb guy will do fine in a 16, skinny guys need a 15" or smaller.

All IMHO btw.

I'm mounting the on the right side directly to the trans tunnel and the floor, although if you're using the 16" or smaller seat, you'll probably be fine buying IOPort's mounting rails and using them. In any case, you'll probably have to cut out the rear mounts for the drivers seat, or you'll sit up too high.

Mine is different, since I'm so big, we sectioned the trans tunnel to turn it from a sloped area to a square so I could move the seat inwards about an inch and half.. That gets me clearance from the door A-pillar bar. So the right side of the seat is mounted directly to the floor, and to the side of the trans tunnel. The left side is mounted to a L shaped bracket bolted to the floor.

PaulC

hmm i suppose since im 165 6'0" ill get a 16" seat... thanks for the help!

I'm also installing a Kirkey intermediate seat for this coming season. Used a regular kirkey last season with the huge sides on it, and it ended up giving a rash under the right arm. hopefully this one is better.

I am fairly skinny (175lb, 5'11"), and I have a 14" seat width in a Cobra seat... Maybe the measurements differ because of the seat design?

I've got a Kirkey seat. Came with the car. Seems just fine. pic attached. Picture courtesy of Rich @ Gothamracing.

well i figured out how to measure, and im a 15" guess ill order my seat soon! :D

http://www.teamfc3s.org/forum/member...ew&userid=4493

I'm using a Kirkey Pro Street Drag. Don't let the name fool you. Its very supportive and comfortable without the rib supports. I got a good deal on it and thought what the heck. Check out the link at the 1987 Sport. I've got a gray cover for it but didn't have it installed when the picture was taken. I made some L shaped brackets to mount the seat to the factory adjustors. I'll try to dig up a picture of them.

I've used a $100 CAD Kirkey economy seat for the last five years. It's fine for the sprint races, but running enduros in the car is really starting to suck. I'm thinking Corbeau FX for the next seat. Any thoughts?

-Trent

The Sparco Pro 2000 and Fighter seats are designed to fit size 28-36 waists and are VERY comfortable. I'd reccomend them.

how well do these seats fit in with the stock rails? do any of them fit that well or do they all need modification? and would any particular seat be recommended for a car that would also act as a street car?

I personally am not big on the Kirkey seats. I have a MOMO thousand lakes seat with the fiberglass shell. It works decent. Sparco Pro 2000 and Evo are my other fav's.

I am using and recommending Racetech seats. I am using the wide version of the Viper compe coupe seat. please read the article I wrote about seats, racing, and your risks with the "cheap" Kirkey type seats. these seats pose a serious risk to serious injury. Article can be found here

That is a pretty scary article. How much do the Racetech seats that Realride put in cost? Sounds like a great safety upgrade.

I've got two Kirkey Intermediates and a Sparco Evo. The Sparco is definitely nicer, but if I was writing the check I'd buy another Kirkey. If you can find a good deal on one, though, I'd suggest a Sparco seat. Otherwise, don't buy the Kirkey seat cover, buy the two-part custom seat foam for the same price (maybe even less, I can't remember) and some fabric from Wal-Mart. All the problems with Kirkey seats go away when you have a custom-fitted seat (except for the head/neck stuff).

I have used a Sparco Ultra and a Kirkey Intermediate seat in an FC. I always got the feeling that the Sparco seat was more for show. It did not give much support on the seat bottom and I was never really comfortable in it. The Kirkey seat was the complete opposite, great bottom and side support with a better position angle.

When I build another race car I will definately buy a Kirkey.

tims

Good article. I'm not surprised by "how" the injury occurred, as this has been a growing concern among auto manufacturers over the years.

I was never involved in an accident until recently. I was rear ended at a "low" 10 mph. Both vehicles were stopped, but for some reason (either the driver's foot slipped or he anticipated my vehicle to accelerate too early),....he rear ended me. The impact wasn't that bad. But I did suffer from some minor neck pain within minutes and it became worse after the adrenaline wore off. This incident made me realize just how easy it is for anyone to get hurt in an accident.

Personally, I like Recaros. I don't care for Sparcos, Momos, or Brides, or any other brand really. But I will definitely consider the Racetech seats that you mentioned.

Thanks for writeup. I appreciate it.

Racetech are currently working on the .US website . there is a link on the Nz site. the Viper Compe Coupe seats which are the strongest and are tested at the highest G loads start at about $1600 the wide version for us full sized drivers are almost $2000. the non Viper seat with the head rest/restraint is around $1000. these seats have had extensive changes made(after testing the viper seats) to make them perform better in high G load accidents(over 40 G's). In my opinion this line of seats is the best value for the kind of performance you get. the Recaro's are about $1600-$3300 depending on what model and material. the "stock car" manufacturers start at about $4000 for one of there custom seats with the reinforced head rest/restraint made of of aluminum

i have a kirkey 14"seat im 6' 160 lbs

ultrashield aluminum laid back with black cover and extra foam padding. it's like a kirkey intermediate. $199

Ok, but that's not because it's a cheap Kirkey seat. The design doesn't support the head in a side load, no argument, but probably 75% of the available seats out there have no provision for head support.

I do believe Kirkey sells add on head restraints for their seats.

PaulC

Paul is correct, and the Kirkey is a very solid seat. It fits nicely in the FC, and is very high quality. That said, I have a brand new Kirkey Intermediate road race seat(new style), and cover for sale, complete with a custom sidemount bracket that will work with the Sparco FIA slider. I also have a brand new IOPort deluxe seat back brace. i will sell these for 20% less than IO Port sells them for, plus shipping. I am 5'9", and 145lbs, my co-driver is 6', and 180lbs. The seat is slighly looser than I like, and just right for my co-driver. Anyway, if interested, call me at 707-696-2705 thanks, Carl

I'm probably going to go with the Corbeau Forza.
Most places sell them for a little over $200
16lbs.

I run a Sparco Ultra. Right around $300 and it is one of the lightest seats at only 12.7 pounds, for that price range. Certainly you can spend 2K on a seat and lose a few pounds.

It fits me just right, and has "gripy" material. Gives me plenty of shoulder movement for rapid transitions in autox. It doesn't have super big wings that get in the way. Bottom or side mount, FIA cert. Sub belt hole.
Plus I can look like everyone on F&F with my Sparco seat!:)

That's where I'm headed. Seems like a good auto-x/street compromise. Though I may check out that Ultra too...

anyone know how heavy the kirkey intermediate is?

if i get a 16" seat and i measure just at 15" am I going to be unhappy with it?

It's not heavy, I can pick it up one handed no problem. Maybe 15-20lbs max

you might slide around a bit, but I think too big is much better than too small..

Make sure you get the Intermediate Road Race Seat..

The Intermediate Layback seat has rib protectors and having those in a seat too big sucks, they dig into the undersides of your arms.

PaulC

kirkey sells add on head, shoulder, and leg supports. My kirkey seat is a sprint deluxe upright 14" it weighs 10 lbs. I use the add on head supports. The seat fits me very well. The rib protectors fit snug and dont really rub my arms to much. The seat was $270. The only real way to get a good fitting seat i feel is go to a dealer. Try them all out. I sat in near 20 30 seats before i found one that was just right u can also get kirkey to build you a seat with say a 14 seat and 13 1/2 ribs. If your doing road racing I feel its critical to find a seat that tight fitting. I know from shifter kart racing a seat that not well fitting will beat you up and wear you out. So try some seats out i know your probly thinking its just a seat its what holds you in the car so take your time and look into it.

I definetly agree with vallgotboost on trying out seats. The seat should fit you like a nice glove(Not the O.J. kind of fit). If you can make it to some local races ask some of the drivers if you can try their seat out and explain to them why. Most racers are pretty nice and won't mind you trying it on(notice the reference to fitting properly like a glove?).

sparco pro 2000