Bucket seats

[Gravelben]

Thinking about splashing out on some buckets for a bit more support, lower seating position etc. Guess I could take a trademe gamble but might be more successful asking here first...

1) I'd like to keep the forward/back adjustment so I guess I'll be wanting a seat that mounts to the factory rails - any experience of what seats fit?

2) Related to that, lower is better. I was looking at some trackday photos and noticed my helmeted head actually sits higher than the rollbar, which seems less than ideal. Someone also pointed out the potential for a head/rollbar interaction in a big rear-end shunt (between seat flex and neck extension its possible) which I'd like to avoid.

3) Those factors combined with not wanting to spend more than I have to make me think (correct me if I'm wrong) a fixed-back bucket is likely to be the best option, any recommendations or advice?

[poison]

Unless you are pretty short you'll have to go fixed back, all the tilt back
ones are too deep in the base and you end up looking at the sun visor. Width
is also an issue as it won't allow most tilt back seat to go all the way
back. The downside with fixed back seats can be lumbar support and comfort
issues due to minimal padding, and really hard to get out of. But they give
great lateral support and make it more fun to drive, if you are going long
trips a seat swap to the originals is 10 mins. Try searching the archives,
there have been some discussions on brands etc in the old email only forum.

Jif had some good quality seats with MX5 rails for sale. They just need to
be recovered.

[Posted via external email]

[Trevor]

I have made a series of mods to my car in order to improve the driving position. I checked several different seats with the idea of change, but was not happy with any of them.

I wound up removing the centre padding from the back of the OEM seat as well as doing some trimming. This made a vast improvement. Worth a try and something which can be restored if need be. What is more my wife still finds things to her liking.

I would also like to sit a little lower, but have not had time to spend on thus issue, so will be looking out for ideas.

Cheers, Trevor.

[Gravelben]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=269274296

What ya reckon? Apparently MX5 rails should bolt straight on as the rail spacing is the same in 323s.

[Anthug]

sweet

[Posted via external email]

[jif]

On 07/02/2010, Gravelben <mx5talk@mx5forum.co.nz> wrote:

Thinking about splashing out on some buckets for a bit more support, lower
seating position etc. Guess I could take a trademe gamble but might be more
successful asking here first...

1) I'd like to keep the forward/back adjustment so I guess I'll be wanting a
seat that mounts to the factory rails - any experience of what seats fit?

2) Related to that, lower is better. I was looking at some trackday photos
and noticed my helmeted head actually sits higher than the rollbar, which
seems less than ideal. Someone also pointed out the potential for a
head/rollbar interaction in a big rear-end shunt (between seat flex and neck
extension its possible) which I'd like to avoid.

3) Those factors combined with not wanting to spend more than I have to make
me think (correct me if I'm wrong) a fixed-back bucket is likely to be the
best option, any recommendations or advice?

hi Ben

#1 - http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/seats.asp ... these are the ones
that'll fit the narrow shouldered MX5
#2 - there's that special rollbar padding for that, right?
#3 - mine's still FS ! hope you're skinny tho ...

I liked the bucket seats when going out for a thrash, it felt like you
can corner that much harder since you weren't bracing yourseld
sideways for dear life ... :]

-j

[Posted via external email]

[Gravelben]

How skinny would I have to be to fit the Cobras? I'm no homer j. simpson but 92kg and pretty solid in the shoulders.

I've driven one on track with (momo)buckets/harnesses/full cage and found the better attachment to the car helped a fair bit compared to mine where I have to brace myself against the inside of the car with my knees!

[Gravelben]

I see the KW seats aren't on that list, do they not fit or is that just down to them being a small NZ company and not in the US market? Just wondering as they look to be some of the best deals around.

[poison]

Chinese importer.

Gazza

On 8/02/2010, at 10:15 PM, "Gravelben" <mx5talk@mx5forum.co.nz> wrote:

I see the KW seats aren't on that list, do they not fit or is that
just down to them being a small NZ company and not in the US market?
Just wondering as they look to be some of the best deals around.

[Posted via external email]

[Gravelben]

Chinese importer.

Ah I see, at first glance their website makes it look like they're a Kiwi company rather than an importer but on closer inspection it doesn't actually say that.

Anyone know what these actually are so I can investigate whether they fit? The seller doesn't seem to know.

[poison]

Just near the cook street offramp in Auckland. I tried some front seats in my car from there once and they were more helpful than most of the Chinese importers I've come across. Bit of a hassle though. The main issue with such imported products is quality, some are good but not many. It can be foam t, stitching etc, but most of all it's the material, it just won't last in the sun.

If you do buy some fixed buckets, make sure you get ones with vinyl over the heavy wear spots. I wish we had some of the second hand car parts places here like in Japan (see picture)

I looked at some seats at a car show and the backs were reinforced with the coreboard the use for real estate signs. A seriously short life product IMHO.

Those seats in the picture may not work with normal seats belts as they look rather deep. You need to test fit the seats yourself, they all feel different and feel is everything.

[Keith Jones]

I've had two types of Racepro and a Momo in my racecar.

Both the Racepros, an Arrow 101 and a Tarmac, fitted straight on the existing rails. However, they aren't particularly low. I am only 1.73m and with my helmet on I'm only about 20mm below the roll cage.

The Momo Montecarlo sits much lower, clearance is about 60mm, but I had to modify the rails to fit. Fine for a track only car but I'm not sure whether it would pass a cert.

[brownie]

Batman RX7 seats will fit,They use a similar base but better back support,Pretty sure your rails will bolt straight on,Seen then in cars on Car Domain,Really would like a pair for my own car,Must say the bucket in my car makes the car feel a lot more stable,Got into the NA8 we have at work with standard seats.Felt like a lounge chair by comparison.
Have a container coming from Japan ,Apparently we have some goodies coming,Might be one in there,Won't know till after the 15th.

[Gravelben]

Interested to hear what goodies are in the container when it arrives

[mazline]

I believe all sorts of shite,including a full set of adjustable struts ,Will know what they are when they get here.

[flushmiater]

I see the KW seats aren't on that list, do they not fit or is that just down to them being a small NZ company and not in the US market? Just wondering as they look to be some of the best deals around.

I have a KW seat in my car, it is abysmal. Give the guys at racetech in wellington a call and tell them what you want to do, they may have something suitable (and the racetech seats are FIA complied also).

[Gravelben]

I believe all sorts of shite,including a full set of adjustable struts ,Will know what they are when they get here.

Cracked it open yet?

[brownie]

Friday

[SLYDIT]

i think the sparco evo2 fit ok and are a bit wider. there was a great thread on seats on the aussie forum. (auscartalk/mx5) under the motorsport section.

[brownie]

Sorry,
No seats in this box

[Gravelben]

Ah well, I'll just keep watching trademe then! Feel free to flick me a message if you do have anything come in. Leaning toward the Momo T-frame for now due to the ease of mounting on standard rails.

[MN]

Greetings Gravelben, been a while since I've checked the forum. If you recall my car had the basic Momo (T-frame?) seats. The driver's side fits directly onto the exisiting seat rail but the passenger side required a minor adjustment to the inner front mounting (it had to be moved over about 10mm if I think). They really drop you down, however for me the front lip of the seat is a smidgen too high so I get minor "pins and needles" sensation in my lower legs and feet if I drive for long periods ie 2hrs + without a break. My helmet clears my roll cage easily but I'm a bit shorter than you I think. Prior to getting the momo's ($350-$400 ex trademe if I recall) I had 25mm taken out of the standard seat swab. I still cleared the roll cage esily but my co-driver (if you recall he was the tall guy with the limp) barely did, which is why we rallied with the top up. Removing anything from the stock seat is not the way to go because there is no lateral support. On the one rally I did with it I had to hang onto the steering wheel and push myself into the seat to get some support but it wasn't nearly as bad on the track, with a proper race seat none of that.

A friend in Wanganui has a basic Racetec seat and had to get it modified as it was a bit too wide against the transmission tunnel

[Gravelben]

Cheers Mark, I thought that was what you had but wasn't fully sure. Your seat seemed to fit me fine so thats all good

There are a couple on there at the moment I'm thinking about, but they're blue so won't match the red car very well! One is a bit ripped and faded for $200 while the other is in v. good condition for about double that.

[sprsta]

i just brought a set off trademe for 200

drivers side bolted directly to the factory rails no problems

passenger was on a lean to the left for some reason but moving the mounting points on the left up one hole worked fine

im very happy missus not so


(f!@#n bucket seats)

[Gravelben]

Those look good, what brand/model are they? and how well does the seatbelt work with the deeper bucket?