Lets talk seats

[Damn True]

When I rode in Mary's '73 I was really impressed by the stability of the seats (Corbeau I believe, but I don't have any idea of the model) though they were a bit snug for my big butt.

Let's hear your thoughts on seats.

Do's & Dont's from a safetly standpoint.

Mounting tech

other info as desired

[alcino]

I have the corbeau CR1. Probably their best selling seat. I am about a 35-36 inch waist and the standard size fits perfect. I did try their A4, man it was way too tight. They do make a wide version too in some models if need be. Its a good middle ground seat not cheap but not expensive either.

Just so you know when you put seats like this in your car ( high bolsters) its going to be harder to get in and out for jumping in to go to the grocery store. But it will make driving easier.

As for dos and don't. I would go to competitions and ask around. See what people are using and what their opinions are. I personally like my seats, just wish I had them in a vinyl or leather cause the cloth gets dirty so easily from track dust. Also you want to have them solidly mounted to the body. Stock location holes are ok just use some big washers to distribute the force. I guess ideal would be mounted to some frame structure.


Alcino

[CAMAROBOY69]

If you want a safety hint I would look past the seats and look more at seat belts. You want at least a 3 or 4 point seatbelt. The old school lap belts are not safe at all.
For seats just get something that is very comfortable for you. Your seats are one of the most important comfort features you will buy for the interior. Electric lumbar controls are very very nice to add comfort. That also helps a lot when your on a track. I sink the back part in and make the outer part hug me when im on the track. I get held right into place with the push of a couple buttons.
For long trips I make the back lumbar push into my spine more to keep my back straight and comfortable for long rides like on the power tour. The more adjustments you can get the better ergonomic your car will be.

[vanzuuk1]

I am not an expert on this but heres my opinion-

The worst is the stock bucket with a lap belt.

The best is a 1000$ kirkey style seat tied into the cage, five point harness and the headrest ears that flank the helmet. Awesome to drive in and very safe but a pain to get in and out of.

Somewhere beetween the two extremes is a nice corbeau style seat, anchored properly to the floor, and a good four point (also mounted properly).(streetfighter 68 has something similar)

Steevo's car feels great when you sit in it , secure but not too hard to get in and out of.

Generally speaking, a seat that is adjustable will fail before a solid seat. A 200 pound body is said to exert a momentary force up to 3000 pounds. That can rip a seat or seat belts out of their mounts and deform a seat structure.

I knew a guy who went off the road at high rate of speed in a 69 chevelle with his lap belt on. He was wedged between the rear seat and the quarter by the force of the crash, the emts worked on him from the passenger side of the trunk. I am not trying to be morbid , just illustrating what happens when 60's cars hit solid objects.

On a lighter note , you have much more control of your car when you get a decent seat and belts.

[zbugger]

If you want a safety hint I would look past the seats and look more at seat belts......

Sorry to say this Adam, but you're wrong here. Seats are JUST as important to safety. You really have to find a seat that is as safe as can be, yet you still feel comfortable in. The belts only hold you in the seat. The seat is what holds you in the car. PLEASE don't separate safety components. They work together to save you. Skimp on one, and you can still hurt yourself. Most stock seats have no anti-submarine assistance. In stock seats, I have to sit closer to the wheel so I can use my feet on the floor board to push myself back into the seat. It's not the safest thing to do, but it's a street car. When I get seats for my Camaro, it's gonna be different. Remember, safety components work as a package. Build it right, and build it safe.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Lightweight, affordable and very supportive.

I will likely be running these in my car.

http://www.corbeau.com/products/fx1pro/fx1pro.shtml#

[Damn True]

How big of a comprimise in safety is a reclining seat? I have no intention of even having a back seat, that isn't the issue. But, the ideal seating position for driving on a track, is not the position I wish to be in while sitting in Bay Area traffic or on the 3+ hour drive to/from Buttonwillow, Thunderhill or Sears Point. Laguna Seca is only about 1.5 hours, but I doubt my car when done will get by their noise standards.

[vanzuuk1]

I dont have any tech but the hinge mechanism is considered one more thing to fail in an event. Thats how the tech guy at limeock explained it to me.

[vanzuuk1]

And dont forget to attach everything like your life depends on it, because it does.

[Damn True]

Oh no doubt. I designed a new seat interface for the HH-65 when I was still in the CG. My life DID depend on it. I was still flying in the things.

[vanzuuk1]

You lost me buddy.

[Steve Chryssos]

CG. California Girls--as in "I wish they all could be...." Maybe he was in the David Lee Roth video from the eighties. I loved that video. The midwest farmer's daughter was my favorite.

[Damn True]

CG = Coast Guard

I was on the design team for a new HH-65 helicopter aircrew seat. I designed, built and submitted for testing the seat/airframe interface. Went through a couple of revisions at some wacky Air Force wierd science test lab but it is still in use today.

[Steve Chryssos]

CG = Coast Guard.....

Oh. Yeah, Coast Guard

[69Nova]

Lightweight, affordable and very supportive.

I will likely be running these in my car.

I want those to but how would they be in everyday traffic. I like to drive my car around town so should I have a reclining seat for everyday driving and non for more spirited events.

[Steve Chryssos]

I'll take pix of my install. I had the seat fitted exactly where I wanted it and then had custom brackets made with a bit of incline. If you are doing a roll bar, there is not much room fro reclinning any way. My passenger seat hinges and only reclines 5 to 10 degrees depending on how far forward it sits on the sliders. The driver's seat is hard mounted to the floor and rollcage.

[Steve Chryssos]

As for everyday traffic, the only part that get annoying after a while is the big under thigh cushion. That can be fixed with a small removable pad under the ass if it really bugs you. I got used to it.

EDIT: An added benefit. The heavily bolstered seat helps keep your weight in check. If you eat too much around the holidays, the seat acts as a go / no go gauge.

[69Nova]

Thats what I was thinking. Usually my seats are somewhat upright anyway so I figured it would probly not bother me much if at all.

[parsonsj]

the seat acts as a go / no go gauge

lol, I've been using Levi's for that.

jp

[Damn True]

I'll take pix of my install. I had the seat fitted exactly where I wanted it and then had custom brackets made with a bit of incline. If you are doing a roll bar, there is not much room fro reclinning any way.

That leaves no room for your Gangsta lean.