Elise Seats - Questions...
Discussion
I've decided to fit Lotus Elise seats as my current drivers seat is comfortable enough, but does not hold you in place at all...!
I have seen some people just put a couple of cross pieces in and mount the seats to these. However, I must be a rather odd shape as to have the seat back far enough to allow my legs to be comfortable, I can't even touch the steering wheel. As the Elise has fixed back seats, the whole unit must be rocked up. I have mocked up (very roughly) some wedges to allow this and test fitted to relative success:
It is in roughly the right place and pretty much the same height as the old seat. However, the seatbelt upper mount catches.
If I just have a spacer turned to lift this, and replace the bolt with a suitable length one, is this an acceptable solution from a safety perspective?
I will also have to move the seat belt socket as I have Punto ones in at the moment but these foul. So I will have to find an alternative to these with a straighter bracket, or make some brackets myself. Does anyone know of other types that fit at all?
Thanks
I have seen some people just put a couple of cross pieces in and mount the seats to these. However, I must be a rather odd shape as to have the seat back far enough to allow my legs to be comfortable, I can't even touch the steering wheel. As the Elise has fixed back seats, the whole unit must be rocked up. I have mocked up (very roughly) some wedges to allow this and test fitted to relative success:
It is in roughly the right place and pretty much the same height as the old seat. However, the seatbelt upper mount catches.
If I just have a spacer turned to lift this, and replace the bolt with a suitable length one, is this an acceptable solution from a safety perspective?
I will also have to move the seat belt socket as I have Punto ones in at the moment but these foul. So I will have to find an alternative to these with a straighter bracket, or make some brackets myself. Does anyone know of other types that fit at all?
Thanks
I think the driving position is crucial to enjoying the car. Before you go too far, you could check whether you have any scope to move the pedals forward (there was an optional longer pedal box for people with short legs) and whether you prefer to change the seat angle or move the steering wheel - bearing in mind that you still need to reach the gear lever too.
Nice solution with the 'furring' peices.
I would say, yes the spacer and longer [suitable grade] bolt will be fine.
You may have the short reach pedal box fitted to your car which moves the pedals closer to the driver. Given all the cars were designed for PW to fit you would indeed be a very odd shape if you need the seat fully back and you can't reach the steering wheel.
I would say, yes the spacer and longer [suitable grade] bolt will be fine.
You may have the short reach pedal box fitted to your car which moves the pedals closer to the driver. Given all the cars were designed for PW to fit you would indeed be a very odd shape if you need the seat fully back and you can't reach the steering wheel.
Thanks for all the feeback.
I'm about 6'2 and I like to have the pedals set 'just so' because I'm ridiculously fussy about my driving position! I also tend to sit quite upright in the seat. Moreso than most people I think. On occasion when I drive other peoples cars, they all seem to recline more than I like. Particularly with no PAS, I don't like to be reaching too far to the wheel.
With the wedges in, the driving position was pretty much as I have it now.
I'm glad to hear the Elise seats are comfortable though, as my ones are most definitely not. When I'm happy with my seat mounts, they will be going away to be re-trimmed so that they are the right colour and actually have padding in strategic places!
I suspect re-trimming will have to wait until I have done some overtime at work...
Regarding the seat belt mount, I think it omly needs 5-10mm spaced up, so nothing too mad.
I'm about 6'2 and I like to have the pedals set 'just so' because I'm ridiculously fussy about my driving position! I also tend to sit quite upright in the seat. Moreso than most people I think. On occasion when I drive other peoples cars, they all seem to recline more than I like. Particularly with no PAS, I don't like to be reaching too far to the wheel.
With the wedges in, the driving position was pretty much as I have it now.
I'm glad to hear the Elise seats are comfortable though, as my ones are most definitely not. When I'm happy with my seat mounts, they will be going away to be re-trimmed so that they are the right colour and actually have padding in strategic places!
I suspect re-trimming will have to wait until I have done some overtime at work...
Regarding the seat belt mount, I think it omly needs 5-10mm spaced up, so nothing too mad.
Lewis's Friend/ said:
Regarding the seat belt mount, I think it omly needs 5-10mm spaced up, so nothing too mad.
Perhaps you could try removing the aftermarket adapter that turns the pulley through 90 degrees and return them to standard configuration. This might just prevent the pulley from fouling on the seat. It may also be that the belts then run better through the pulley with your Lotus seats. (If you give it a try and are happy with it, I'd be happy to buy the adapters from you as I have the standard setup and suffer the classic rucking of the belts through the pulleys when trying to put them on)
The factory seat belt arrangement remains just as bad with the Elise seats - and MX5 seats for completeness - so removing the adapter is not a positive move.
If you wish to do the same then a rose joint works just as well. Suitable HD items can be source off evilbay - Mcgill have an ebay store - you'll just need longer mounting bolts. The existing ones can be used to fix the guide to the rosejoint. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... First photo.
If you wish to do the same then a rose joint works just as well. Suitable HD items can be source off evilbay - Mcgill have an ebay store - you'll just need longer mounting bolts. The existing ones can be used to fix the guide to the rosejoint. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... First photo.
Edited by mk1fan on Saturday 23 April 09:55
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