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The new forum here is a great idea, so why not start up a discussion about seats.

For the drag guys, it's not as big of a concern (15 seconds of discomfort?), but for those with road race or dual purpose (road race / street) cars, a great deal more time is spent behind the wheel, and driving comfort and side support become much more important.


So to kick it off:

I know Kirkey makes some seats with extra padding, and generous side support. Lightweight, and well known in the racing community.


Corbeau has some great looking seats, with very affordable prices. Aircooled.net sells seat tracks to make them bolt right in.


There are also lots of seats that can be swapped from vehicle to vehicle. Mazda seats, Corvette seats, Porsche seats, etc..


What seats has everyone tried out? Any comments/suggestions? Successes, or things to watch out for? Solid bolted for your size, or adjustable seat tracks?

- David

what I did is I got polly carbonate front seats and rapped towwles on the parts that seemed to be the most un comffy and I put on the covers and I can sleep in them they are so nice

i went with a tenzo type r seat as it is very comfy, i made my own seat tracks using the stock bottom seat frame welded to some angle iron and that bolts to the tenzo seat. it is ajustable front to back like stock and the seat is reclineable, i have slept in this seat it has nice bolsters to keep you planted and has cut outs for a five point harness.

this is a great question. i good seat improves your comfort (obviously), your safety (more than you might think), and your driving (it's a lot easier to get the wheel where you want it if your not hanging on it for dear life).

that said, i still ride in a stock seat - wow does it stink - i slide all over in the turns. i can't imagine the hell of road racing in a stock low back. i can feel the whiplash from here.

WD-40 wrote:Corbeau has some great looking seats, with very affordable prices.

i've sat in a corbeau seat as a passenger, but never as a driver. it seemed comfy and supportive. i'm seriously considering these in the near future.

recaro makes some good seats that fit in bugs. i'm pretty sure glenn runs these in his 74. not cheap.

i think that bucket seats from a mazda rx-7 are great!

they are comfortable and hold you in place when turning.

Hey YETIBONE do you have some pics of your BMW e-36 seats installed? I would love to see your seat rails. I love my E36 seats and will find some for the bug when I get it on the road.

Anyone out there use E36 seats?

For our type of racing, an aluminum seat is the best. SCCA requires a back brace to tie it to the cage. I use the Ulta Shield but it is mounted flat on the floor as I am tall and need the head room. My seat also has a removeable seat cushion because I have no windshield or top. I remove the covering when it is raining.
Mark F Production #78 SCCA

OK, an aluminum seat is best but I need a seat that can do more than go to the track. I use my car for daily driving, long distance(1000+)and my wife needs to be able to drive the car and she is 5'4" so I need something that is very adjustable.

Some more things to think about:

Most aftermarket seats are NOT adjustable-recline or able to fold forward for access to the rear. Those that ARE are significantly more expensive.

I might end up taking my back seat out entirely. I'm debating, because I occasionally take more than one person with me somewhere. However, if it is going to be difficult (impossible?) to get to, there's quite a bit of weight that can be saved by removing it.


Does anyone have fixed seats, and still use their back seat?

- David

I'm using Beard suspension seats. In the Ghia I had to cut and lower the seat adjusters to get the height right. Overall very comfortable and hold you in very well. The driver seat adjusts and the passenger tips forward to give access to the rear.

Theo wrote:The driver seat adjusts and the passenger tips forward to give access to the rear.

So the "tracks" for your passenger seat do not slide forward and backward, but only release to let the whole seat flip forward? That sounds like a pretty good way to do it!

- David

Yes, the rails that connect the seat to the pan come with one adjustable and one that flips up. Without the flip up I don't have much access to the back. I got the rail kit for both seats from unique supplie for $70 or so.

I had to cut the feet off and reweld them to lower the seat in the Ghia. They would be just right for a bug.

Theo

For street/race combo, check out Procar Rallyseats for price, adjustability, sturdy frame, nice cushions, large side bolsters, and bug look. Matching bug door panels also available...

They mount on bug specific adapter which bolt sto the sides of the OEM rails (pre 73). The seats slide and recline like stockers. The slides are much beefier than stock. Recommend reinforcing the stock rails with welds before adding the Procar adapter. Width is a little narrower than stock. The depth is a little deeper so you'll loose rear seat leg room.

Theo wrote:Yes, the rails that connect the seat to the pan come with one adjustable and one that flips up. Without the flip up I don't have much access to the back. I got the rail kit for both seats from unique supplie for $70 or so.

I had to cut the feet off and reweld them to lower the seat in the Ghia. They would be just right for a bug.

Theo

I had to do the same thing when I welded angle iron to the floor for more support. It raised the seat a few inches. My head hit the head liner.
I just about 2 inches off the front and 3 oput of the rear, that way they leaned back more too

Bill,

my major complain with the Procar line of seat is they are heavy, ridiculously so. If you want to go fast and handle, this is a foolish move, but they do look nice.

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

Bill K. wrote:For street/race combo, check out Procar Rallyseats for price, adjustability, sturdy frame, nice cushions, large side bolsters, and bug look. Matching bug door panels also available...

They mount on bug specific adapter which bolt sto the sides of the OEM rails (pre 73). The seats slide and recline like stockers. The slides are much beefier than stock. Recommend reinforcing the stock rails with welds before adding the Procar adapter. Width is a little narrower than stock. The depth is a little deeper so you'll loose rear seat leg room.