Standard Seats Refreshed
Discussion
Hi All
Another seat question I'm afraid...
Having looked at trying to fit bucket seats from an Elise into my car, I've found that it is going to be too much hassle to go ahead with. I know some have just bolted these in, but either I or my car am oddly proportioned...! I mocked up everything I would need to change to be happy with the driving position and it is just not worth it. So now I need to sell a pair of Elise seats..
However, the point of this post is I am now looking at getting the drivers seat refreshed (leather and padding). However, as standard, they seem to offer little in the way of lateral support (its difficult to tell with mine how much of this is wear/collapsed padding and how much is due to design). I know they will never be as supportive as a bucket seat, but how do people find the standard seats once they are brought up to a good standard?
I'm trying to determine if it is going to be worth the money...
Another seat question I'm afraid...
Having looked at trying to fit bucket seats from an Elise into my car, I've found that it is going to be too much hassle to go ahead with. I know some have just bolted these in, but either I or my car am oddly proportioned...! I mocked up everything I would need to change to be happy with the driving position and it is just not worth it. So now I need to sell a pair of Elise seats..
However, the point of this post is I am now looking at getting the drivers seat refreshed (leather and padding). However, as standard, they seem to offer little in the way of lateral support (its difficult to tell with mine how much of this is wear/collapsed padding and how much is due to design). I know they will never be as supportive as a bucket seat, but how do people find the standard seats once they are brought up to a good standard?
I'm trying to determine if it is going to be worth the money...
There quite fiddly to get back in with the 4 bolts keep pushing up when your trying to align them with the holes so be prepared for that.
My drivers seat had a tear in the bottom & padding was abit worn, since having it re-upholstered & re-padded ive had no issues with it at all, comfortable too! then again the top section was still pretty padded so i guess with that worn.. may be a different story.
My drivers seat had a tear in the bottom & padding was abit worn, since having it re-upholstered & re-padded ive had no issues with it at all, comfortable too! then again the top section was still pretty padded so i guess with that worn.. may be a different story.
My original seats are still in good condition but not especially comfortable and provided minimal location. One of the first things I did was replace the driver's seat with a Sparco Cobra bucket seat, and it improved things enormously. After adding rollover protection I also added a full harness, which improved things even further.
One mod I'd seen others do to the standard seat which is apparently quite effective is to make a 'U' shaped panel that wraps around the back of the seat and comes forward on both sides to provide some side support.
If you're a keen driver it's also worth considering fitting seat brace bars to connect the seat to the chassis - it's amazing how far the seats flex under load.
One mod I'd seen others do to the standard seat which is apparently quite effective is to make a 'U' shaped panel that wraps around the back of the seat and comes forward on both sides to provide some side support.
If you're a keen driver it's also worth considering fitting seat brace bars to connect the seat to the chassis - it's amazing how far the seats flex under load.
You could modify the foam to create [a bit] more support but the truth is they are GT seats rather than Sports seats.
You can get reclining bucket seats.
Or you could try the CG-lock - http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/ - which finds favour with a lot of trackday guys who don't wish to fit harnesses.
Or you could fit harnesses which should really be fitting with a roll hoop / bar.
You can get reclining bucket seats.
Or you could try the CG-lock - http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/ - which finds favour with a lot of trackday guys who don't wish to fit harnesses.
Or you could fit harnesses which should really be fitting with a roll hoop / bar.
greyhulk said:
There quite fiddly to get back in with the 4 bolts keep pushing up when your trying to align them with the holes so be prepared for that.
Only if you didn't think to fit a lock nut on the underside of the seat before you refitted it 
Or you could weld it in alas Wheeler Dealers style, but that's a bit overkill IMO.
TVRees said:
Wouldn't that mean that the full weight of the seat (and person) is resting on the lock nuts and not on the seat runners ?
I understand the common solution are some "penny washers", I didn't like that idea so used some strips of hardwood with holes big enough to clear the lock nuts. This gets things back to original with the seat (and its occupants) weight spread over the length of the runner.And for good measure I have strips of alloy plate under the floor from front to rear bolt, again rather than the penny washer thing.
TVRees said:
Wouldn't that mean that the full weight of the seat (and person) is resting on the lock nuts and not on the seat runners ?
Yup. Stainless penny washers either side of grp to spread the load. The runners are pretty tough, they won't buckle unless you're seriously overweight.....in which case lose some weight!Chimaeras use a similar setup from new. Advantage of using the nuts is that you can wind them up and down, and tilt the seat back and forth until you're happy with it.
Thanks once again for all the feedback and advice chaps.
mk1fan - I've looked for adjustable bucket seats, but finding any that come close to fitting in a S Series seems a step too far! The CG-Lock looks interesting though. For the money, I may have to give it a go.
The seat needs a refurb as it has deteriorated in the last year from 'worn' to 'unevenly worn and tipping me into the transmission tunnel', so the time has come I do believe!
I had a quick word with Dave the Trimmer about options, and he said there is not much you can do to make the seat grip you more (fair enough), but that an elastic diaphragm under the base padding could be used to sit lower/sink into the seat more which I think could be helpful.
So many options!
mk1fan - I've looked for adjustable bucket seats, but finding any that come close to fitting in a S Series seems a step too far! The CG-Lock looks interesting though. For the money, I may have to give it a go.
The seat needs a refurb as it has deteriorated in the last year from 'worn' to 'unevenly worn and tipping me into the transmission tunnel', so the time has come I do believe!
I had a quick word with Dave the Trimmer about options, and he said there is not much you can do to make the seat grip you more (fair enough), but that an elastic diaphragm under the base padding could be used to sit lower/sink into the seat more which I think could be helpful.
So many options!
Lewis's Friend said:
The CG-Lock looks interesting though. For the money, I may have to give it a go.
I've tried one of those C-G locks, maybe I had it wrong but it only locks the tummy belt part of the seat belt, not the shoulder diagonal which is the more important bit to help hold your torso/shoulders in place? phillpot said:
Lewis's Friend said:
The CG-Lock looks interesting though. For the money, I may have to give it a go.
I've tried one of those C-G locks, maybe I had it wrong but it only locks the tummy belt part of the seat belt, not the shoulder diagonal which is the more important bit to help hold your torso/shoulders in place? I also find when cornering (and not just going mad on track) that I have to brace myself otherwise I slide out of the seat! Its the only car I have had to get my knee down through the bends... I've ordered a CG-Lock (they seem tricky to get hold of), so if it arrives I'll be able to let you all know if it helps or not.
mikeock64 said:
Mine are original, but still comfy and supportive, but then I am a skinny ass, so they fit me. I couldn't stand my s1 Elise seats, not enough padding for me. ( On my arsenal or the seat)??
Well that is good to know because I'm 6'2'' and like to think of myself as pleasingly slim (or lanky streak as some would have it)!I think I will get the seat refurbed back to standard, but with a more elastic base to try and sit me a bit lower. I'll let you know how I get on.
Lewis's Friend said:
Well that is good to know because I'm 6'2'' and like to think of myself as pleasingly slim (or lanky streak as some would have it)!
I think I will get the seat refurbed back to standard, but with a more elastic base to try and sit me a bit lower. I'll let you know how I get on.
For sure mate, in fact I often have the term lanky streak of piss thrown at me.I think I will get the seat refurbed back to standard, but with a more elastic base to try and sit me a bit lower. I'll let you know how I get on.
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff