FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: cjshaker on March 02, 2019, 03:52:06 PM
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I've been looking at racing seats for my Mustang. Holy moly are there a BUNCH of them! And prices are all over the universe. I'd like to upgrade my seats for several reasons: some much needed weight savings, compatibility with a 5 point harness, compatibility with a back mount for the roll bar, and of course safety reasons.
First question, has anyone been to Jegs or Summits showrooms, and do they have examples in their showroom to try fit and comfort? I really hate the thought of spending money on a crapshot picture on a website. Trying them out in person seems like the only way to know for sure. And since my car gets traveled quite a bit during Drag Week, a basic bucket with 1" of foam padding isn't going to cut it. I'm gonna want something with at least a little comfort.
Second question: Any advice on what to stay away from, what to look for, names to avoid etc?
My car is stick shifted, and many of the options out there seem to have high side and shoulder bolsters. I have to stay away from the deep shoulder/head bolsters or I won't be able to turn around and see when backing up. Remember, it'll be street used. But I also have concerns about the deeper bolsters in the lower section interfering with my ability to shift. Any comments from experience would greatly be appreciated.
Here's an example of one I was looking at. Any thoughts on a seat of this type, good/bad/stupid?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mst-572014/overview/
One of the downsides to that seat seems to be that the shoulder measurements will need to be spot on for proper shoulder belt placement, since there is no leeway in the opening like many other seats available.
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I could only speak from my own experiance.
but many of those seats are to narrow ower
the shoulders and those sideflaps interfere
with shifting. My tip is, dont buy a seat
without test sitting it for a while try to move
the arms. I know embarrasing sitting in the
seatstore airshifting and doing enginesounds but.... ;D ;D
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these are kinda what I got in my Falcon, super comfortable and great support
http://www.ruggedridge.com/sport-front-seat-reclinable-black-denim-13405-15.html
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Heo, exactly why I want to try one first. From all the pictures I could find of Summits showroom, there were NO seats anywhere around. Maybe they will let you try one they have in stock, but most all say they are direct shipped from the manufacturer (at least from Summits website) ::)
Falcon, since the seat back needs to be mounted to the roll bars cross bar, reclining seats are a waste of money and weight for me. I found lots that looked good for what I wanted, but they were nearly all reclining, for normal street cars.
I love the factory seats in the Mach 1s, but I don't think they'll work good for a 5 point harness, plus they have weak locking mechanisms for the backs. What I really don't get are all the reclining seats that are made to work with harnesses. You have to mount the shoulder harnesses to a rear bar, so how exactly do you recline the seat then? Seems stupid if you ask me.
I should make it to the FER&R this year, so I'm hoping to check a bunch of them out there. Hopefully some guys won't mind me sitting in their car.
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guess I misunderstood, sorry.
I have a full cage and 5 point harness in my car. I have room for about 4 inches to recline, but I like sitting upright and close. my belt is attached to the cross bar on my hoop.
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Maybe you can find a shop like this within range of you. Maybe one or two tips in this vid that will help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugWuTk-A5Fw
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Doug I will see what seat my buddy has in his car, it’s comfortable, I have sat in it myself but I can’t remember if the sides permit easy shifting room. I will get back to you tomorrow.
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Kirkey!
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I have Kirkeys in my car. They are light and well made - and I shift OK with them. But they are not particularly street comfortable and I am considering swapping them out since I go racing only a couple times per year anymore.
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The fiberglass racing buckets are not real comfortable... i've been on a 2000+ mile trip in a hard riding car with those and won't again.
The Kirkeys may be only slightly better. That Mastercraft seat looks nice, those are popular in Jeeps. I think they come in a few different widths. The narrowest that you fit in will be best. If you are of a size where the buffet manager is frantically hiding the expensive food when you show up you may need one custom made. Same deal if the girlfriend/hitchhiker is a little rubenesque.
Of course too small a right side seat may work to your advantage to weed out those OrcaBetty types if they aren't your style..
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Corbeau has a street/strip seat that is only about 12 pounds, cost ~$200.00 or did, and is very comfortable, has access to shoulder harnesses, and floor strap. Adjustable seat track is extra. The only down side is the seat back is not adjustable for street. Joe-JDC
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What I do know is the cheaper, blow molded seats NEED a rear support installed from the roll bar. I was told this at Columbus one year. They offer "SFI" rated ones, thus more expensive because the base is more substantial and can support the seat without anything in the back(so it can't break off at the mounts).
Beyond that, maybe a call to Jeg's and see if they have some in stock that you can stop and look at. Or is everything not in stock? Maybe Summit, but that's a haul for you.
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Falcon, you didn't misunderstand, I just wasn't real clear in what I was looking for.
FElony, I watched that video just yesterday. In fact, I scoured YouTube for any vids I could find. There weren't all that many. Kinda surprising since aftermarket seats are so popular these days.
I looked at near every manufacturer out there. Of course after seeing so many, it just leaves you more confused and undecided. The Kirkeys are hugely popular with the dedicated race crowd, but they do NOT look comfortable at all, at least for any decent amount of driving.
Tom, those seats do seem to be aimed at, and are popular with the off-road crowd. So I knew they were built more for comfort, at least somewhat. Measurements are important for sure. Thankfully, almost all seat makers give you lots of measurements to check. I'm a thin guy, and some makers actually have options of going 1"-3" wider, and since my son is quite a bit bigger than I am, I think a wider seat for the passenger would be necessary. That's another good option when I was looking. I also want something that will look decent in the car. Yeah, I want my cake and eat it too :P
Joe, I have been looking at the Corbeau's. They seem to have a good balance of options, comfort and at a reasonable price. I do need something that is mountable in the rear, for the roll bar, per NHRA specs, and it looks like they are. Just wish I could find a place to try them out.
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i feel your pain looking for a good comfortable race seat.i have a crooked tail bone from driving a forklift in reverse for 33 years.you have to drive backwards because you cant see over the load on your forks and it is safer to drive in reverse in case of a sudden stop your load wont fall off the forks.but anyway i have to drive sitting on one hip or the other.
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The last time I was in Reno, I stopped by Summit and did exactly what you're talking about, Doug. I parked my butt in every seat they had. Probably 10 different seats. I was surprised at how uncomfortable some of the big dollar seat were. Of course I'm not the size of Mario Andretti either. Closer to Junior Johnson really. So I was glad I tried them out.
I ended up buying a pair of the Scat Sportsman's:
https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResultsPageCmd?Ntt=scat+racing+seat&requestYear=&storeId=10001&catalogId=10002&langId=-1&year=&make=&model=&submodel=&engine=&Nrpp=&No=&persistYmm=false
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Corbeau, recaro, Sparco and other "Rally" seats are comfortable
When you find the right modell. A rally is many miles,
often on bumpy roads in high speed with stiff suspension
see the clip and you understand. their asses would be purple
with a uncomfortable chair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TotWB42SPQ
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Larry, I was going to call Jegs because I can't find anything that shows what they have in stock. I just know that most of the info from Jegs and Summit says that the seats are direct shipped from the manufacturer. But that doesn't mean they don't have some in the showroom to try out. I'd make the trip to Summit if they had a decent variety to try out. Better than spending money on something I'm not happy with, because I don't know how the return policy is on direct ship stuff...and the return shipping would NOT be cheap if they did allow it! I have been trying to concentrate on SFI and FIA rated seats, for the reasons you mentioned about quality and safety.
KMcCullah, those seats look pretty nice and don't have the super deep bolsters that would interfere with shifting. I briefly checked them out before but saw that they're recliners and don't have a mounting area on the rear for the roll bar. They have fixed back seats, but not in a style I was wanting. If they made that Sportsman series in fixed back with a mount in the back, I'd seriously consider them.
Heo, I checked all those manufacturers out and have a couple of them on my list. Rally driving certainly needs something more comfortable. I just want to be able to try something out, or at least get some positive feedback before spending upwards of $800-$1200 for a pair! :o
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Doug he does have kirkeys, and although he’s running an automatic he says he would have room if he had a stick. He thinks they are comfortable but then again he’s 27. When I was 27 I could drive across country in a horse and wagon. At my age comfort would matter.
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Doug he does have kirkeys, and although he’s running an automatic he says he would have room if he had a stick. He thinks they are comfortable but then again he’s 27. When I was 27 I could drive across country in a horse and wagon. At my age comfort would matter.
Ohhh at 27 i thought the springs in my Bates sadel gave the unsprung frame fantastic comfort ;D ;D
today i get backpain by looking at a unsprung motorcycle
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Yeah, when I was 27 I could backpack all day and be comfortable sleeping on the ground. Now I carry an inflatable pad..lol
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Yeah, when I was 27 I could backpack all day and be comfortable sleeping on the ground. Now I carry an inflatable pad..lol
Strange, since at 27 i had no fat and could sleep on a concrete floor
now with fat one think it would bolster some. But tried sleeping in
the tent in just the sleaping bag. I gave up instantly i could feel a
3D map of the ground on my body ;D ;D
Yes the seats are not cheap. No fun to buy a pair and find out they was
not right for you
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Larry, I was going to call Jegs because I can't find anything that shows what they have in stock. I just know that most of the info from Jegs and Summit says that the seats are direct shipped from the manufacturer. But that doesn't mean they don't have some in the showroom to try out. I'd make the trip to Summit if they had a decent variety to try out. Better than spending money on something I'm not happy with, because I don't know how the return policy is on direct ship stuff...and the return shipping would NOT be cheap if they did allow it!
If you come north, let me know.
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Yeah, when I was 27 I could backpack all day and be comfortable sleeping on the ground. Now I carry an inflatable pad..lol
LOL- then you don't want to drive my had tail dragster around the pits. Piece of fiberglass, 1/2" foam pad and no suspension.
On topic - I've been sitting in the standard fiberglass Summit racing seat for 30 years, no problem. I prefer this style because I'm tall and it routes the shoulder belts up high enough not to trap my shoulders and cause spine compression
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g2100c/overview/
Seat cover
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g2111
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After I moved the last time, my neighbor was building a hard tail chopper. Since I moved in and had welders and machines I was indispensable. After he finished it, he rode it for a few years going ALL over the state on it. I just cringed every time he fired it up and took off for the day. Sounded good, but my back hurts just thinking about it. He has since moved away, but not far. He now has a new HD with air ride!!! He's 60 ish now.
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LOL- then you don't want to drive my had tail dragster around the pits. Piece of fiberglass, 1/2" foam pad and no suspension.
Dealing with an uncomfortable seat for a few minutes around the pits or down the track wouldn't even concern me, but driving 1000 miles in a week is a bit of a different story. The same applies to sleeping on the ground for 6 hours..lol If the car saw no street duty (remember....Drag Week), I'd have no issues with a lightweight Kirkey or similar seat.
Larry, springer seats on a hardtail make a HUGE difference. Much like our old trucks where nearly all the comfort comes from bouncy seats. You know, the kind that bounce your head off the roof when you hit a big bump..lol
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The fiberglass racing buckets are not real comfortable... i've been on a 2000+ mile trip in a hard riding car with those and won't again.
The Kirkeys may be only slightly better. That Mastercraft seat looks nice, those are popular in Jeeps. I think they come in a few different widths. The narrowest that you fit in will be best. If you are of a size where the buffet manager is frantically hiding the expensive food when you show up you may need one custom made. Same deal if the girlfriend/hitchhiker is a little rubenesque.
Of course too small a right side seat may work to your advantage to weed out those OrcaBetty types if they aren't your style..
The passenger seat in the Torino is an inch wider than the driver seat. Don't you ever tell my wife!
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Was doing some work on a Chopper including a new rear fender
This was a loong time ago when the evo engine was new. So the
owner said test drive it and say what you think. This was with a
15 inch car tire, low, with a sprung bates seat no rearfender on for
the moment i hit a big bump landed to far back the tire got a grip
of the ass of my jeans pulled me down the springs sent me back
upp, tire pulled down, and repeat several times so i came back
with torn jeans and tireburns on my ass . ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Hi -jack if I may ...
Any know of racing bench seats ??
Or lightweight bench seats ??
Ricky.
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Ricky, Corbeau has a line of bench seats. They're mainly aimed at Baja style trucks and Jeeps, but they're the only seat manufacturer that I saw that even offered bench seats. Might be worth a look. I briefly checked them out as I'd like to replace the bench seat in my F350. They're flat on the bottom, but don't think that would be an issue in a truck since it needs to be raised with a mounting bracket anyway.
https://corbeau.com/bench-seats.html
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Thanks Doug
I did not see any wide enough for my 65 F100
I could go as wide as 64" on the bottom and 60.5 on the back
That would be a bit wider than the factory bench in the 65
Ricky.
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Ricky---
Something on the order of a Lincoln back seat from the boneyard can be made into a very worthwhile bench seat for a truck. Spend a bit of time with a tape-measure and I'm sure you'll find something.
KS
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Thanks KS :-)
Ricky.
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Ricky---
Something on the order of a Lincoln back seat from the boneyard can be made into a very worthwhile bench seat for a truck. Spend a bit of time with a tape-measure and I'm sure you'll find something.
KS
You need a tilter so you can access behind the seat.
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I have seen late model ***cough***Chev***cough*** truck bench seats adapted. The late model stuff uses foam instead of heavier springs.
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Thanks Doug
I did not see any wide enough for my 65 F100
I could go as wide as 64" on the bottom and 60.5 on the back
That would be a bit wider than the factory bench in the 65
Ricky.
Truck seats up till 1997 HD are a bolt in for our older trucks. The seat will bolt up to the original seat tracts. I have a mid line Racetech that fits OK. A local racer said it depends on the person sitting in the seat. Sometimes a cheap seat fits better than an expensive one.
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Ricky---
Something on the order of a Lincoln back seat from the boneyard can be made into a very worthwhile bench seat for a truck. Spend a bit of time with a tape-measure and I'm sure you'll find something.
KS
You need a tilter so you can access behind the seat.
By the time I put the Lincoln back seat in my ''63 Effie ICB, I'd moved the gas tank from behind the seat and replaced it with a fuel cell in the front of the bed just behind the cab. I never lacked for space in the bed for anything I wanted to carry and there was no reason to get behind the seat.
KS
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Thanks much guys :-)
Again, sorry about the hi jack
Ricky.
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No problem, Ricky. I was going to tell you about the newer seats fitting, but you said you wanted something light weight. A friend put a newer bench seat (mid '90s I think, but not sure of exact year) in an old '66 I sold him. It fit pretty snug, but it did fit and was much more comfortable than the original. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it sat up a bit higher and made it sorta close to the steering wheel. I'm a thin guy, and I thought it was snug, so a bigger fella might have issues.