Anyone interested in Ultima Alcantara seats? Or 4 pointers

[confusionhunter]

I've bought some new 6 point schroth harnesses (cha ching!) , so I have my existing Sabelt 4 point harnesses including all the fittings to sell on for any builder looking for belts. Very similar to the factory ones and already the correct length. Open to offers....

While I have my seats out....

I've been humming and hawing about swapping my seats out for leather ones. I prefer the grip and feel of the alcantara but prefer the look of the leather.... My ideal combination would be leather top and sides alcantara centres, but i think thats probably OTT!

Bought in 2011 from the factory (I have the Invoice) with about about 1500 miles on them. Anyone interested in them so I can buy Leather ones or even a swap? New ones from the factory are 840 plus vat.
As per:

Edited by confusionhunter on Monday 10th November 20:07

[F.C.]

What size are your schroth shoulder belts?

[confusionhunter]

I went for 3 inch. I took the risk that I might get some neck rubbage and they still fit through the holes and with the right fitting its looking like it will be a nice install!
I even went to the trouble of a 5mm alu reinforcement plate for the anti sub straps. OTT I know.

[Racing Roj]

Have been thinking of exactly the same belts myself. What's OTT to one person is spot on for another. That's what makes owning an Ultima interesting.

[Graham-P]

Get the seat recovered, I'm going alcantera centres with leather sides, I have all leather seats and on sunny days it looks like I've taken a bath in there when I get out.........
I'm also going to get Schroth belts what did you go for? I was looking at the bolt in Caterham belts 3" x 2" with pull ups and with a T crutch strap?..

[Bart 124]

Weirdly.... I have been thinking of going from the factory Leather to alcantara etc.

A swap would be bloody perfect!

[confusionhunter]

Ive struck up a good rapour with Malcolm from Msar, a motor sport safety specialist. He sorted me with a good sized fire extinguisher and the appropriate belt set up.
The factory anti sub strap bolts straight through the 2mm steel floor, which is fine as the anti sub straps dont take too much load in a bump, they just keep you in position so the rest of the belt can keep you in place!

However Malcolm recommended to me to bond in 5mm alu plates on the inside (to avoid clearance issues with the floor) just like he has done on his group 6 racing car. This protects the floor too, and While I had reservation about using tigerseal or Sikaflex (221), now they are in.... feels very strong and supportive.

I'd recommend these belts: I had these belts in another project car and while there is nothing wrong with the Willans or Sabelt items they ain't no scroth! (but half the price too!). These are on offer and MSAR atm and msar are the importers so you'll struggle to find a better deal.
http://www.msar.co.uk/motorsports/Race-Harnesses/R...
Dont worry you can pick your colour!

Its taken a couple of attempts for me to get the fittings right, so if you wait, I'll tell you the exact fitting kit I've used. There isnt much room under the seat for hardware thats for sure!
From memory, I got 2 of the above items, make sure you order the flexi option (allows you to change ends and select pull up or pull down adjustment for the lap belts.
I also took 2x 01327 fitting kits (for shoulder straps)
http://www.msar.co.uk/motorsports/Race-Harnesses/H...

4 x B23 C ( for anti subs)
http://www.msar.co.uk/motorsports/Race-Harnesses/H...
And you need 4 x 7/16 eyelets for the lap belts.
I am sllightly worried about seat clearance.... but I'll find out tomorrow when I try and refit!
Sneak preview.

I spent a fair time investigating and messing about with different fitments and hardware and I think I'm just about there!

Bart124 I'll drop you and email! I hadn't considered the sweat factor right enough but cant imagine that will be an issues with a aeroscreen!

Will investigate recovering too, but may be easier doing to a leather set!

Edited by confusionhunter on Monday 10th November 22:19

[Graham-P]

Thanks for that it's a great help. I'll give them a call, hopefully they'll still be discounted in a couple of weeks.
There are a few videos on YouTube of how to change the fittings from snap in to bolt in by Schroth. I don't think there's enough room at the sides for snap in fittings though I stand to be corrected.....

[F.C.]

confusionhunter said:

I went for 3 inch. I took the risk that I might get some neck rubbage and they still fit through the holes and with the right fitting its looking like it will be a nice install!
I even went to the trouble of a 5mm alu reinforcement plate for the anti sub straps. OTT I know.

Three inch will curl and eventually fray going through the seat holes, I have the same Schroth 3 inch shoulder straps.
I re-trimmed my seats with perforated Alcantara centre cushion(S) and new bigger shoulder strap holes that fit the 3" straps.

http://www.corbeau-seats.com/accessories/grommet

"Grommet A" fit nicely.

[confusionhunter]

Thanks F.C.! Do you have any pics of your seats you are willing to share? I'm thinking non perforated alcantara, just in case they get wet!
Thanks for the pointer on the belt surround thats saved some messing about. I was looking at sparco ones but they are huge!

[Storer]

Willans for me.

If they were good enough for Andy Green to break the sound barrier in Thrust 2, then they will do me. Discreet too.

I believe they will do 3 inch if you feel you need them. I only ever use the crotch straps if I am on track.

Not sure about material on the seats. Leather does shed water when you open the door on a wet day...


Paul

[confusionhunter]

GrahamP, yea there is a fair amount of support material with the schroth stuff. You even get a cd with the belts. However you cant pay too much attention to its guidelines as they are simply not possible to follow in an Ultima, or group 6 or any single seater for that matter!

[F.C.]

confusionhunter said:

Thanks F.C.! Do you have any pics of your seats you are willing to share? I'm thinking non perforated alcantara, just in case they get wet!
Thanks for the pointer on the belt surround thats saved some messing about. I was looking at sparco ones but they are huge!

These "holes" aren't exactly small but the added vertical height helps enormously when you are sat trying to get the shoulder straps on.
I will post a couple of pics this evening.
Probably best to stick to leather in a CanAm unless you can dodge the rain

Edited by F.C. on Tuesday 11th November 15:02

Edited by F.C. on Tuesday 11th November 15:05

[confusionhunter]

Gents,
With the 5mm alu plates bonded down and the fittings there quite enough room under the seat to still allow it to slide freely so I had to trim a couple of threads off the nut and bolt to get clearance, I could have spaced the seat up, but I'd rather do that for my comfort than having to do that to create room.
In hindsight I would have bonded the plates about 3 inches further back on the floor. Creates more of an angle on the belt but wont effect the operation of the anti sub straps. Just in case someone else wants to go OTT

[Subslee]

Are the seats still for sale? If so is there any where on them?

[confusionhunter]

Hi, I've agreed a sale in principle, deposit to be Arranged. Cheers!

[Subslee]

Well if they don't have them let me know please

[F.C.]

Confusion Hunter (sorry your name isn't on your profile.)
My 3" shoulder belts are bolt on with wrapped 3 slot brackets
I think I used part number SR B40 NC, though these are still quite close with the seat right back.
Sent via forum (my e-mail is not sending at the moment)

[confusionhunter]

Ah that makes sense! Im Mark! sorry I usually sign PMs.... For everyone else I was using the B24 bracket and trying to use an LV17 which doesnt work..... B49 NC might be on the cards....
Ive almost finished my seat/belt changes so will share pics shorty. I fitted the Corbeou seat grommits myself. Some what nerve racking but its worked out well! Pics to follow soon!

[crossram]

factory should get rid of the side boxes or at least cut the size down so seating can be better addressed, all you need is a small space for a jacket and your wallet.