What seats fit?

What seats fit?

Author
Discussion

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,393 posts

271 months

Saturday 23rd July 2005
quotequote all
Do we have a definitve list of the makes and models of aftermarket seats that will fit in the Chimaera?

I know it's been discussed in various threads over the years, but it would be good to have it one FAQ.

(If a friendly passing mod could set the FAQ flag on this thread then that would be great)

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,393 posts

271 months

Saturday 23rd July 2005
quotequote all
I'll start off with a list gleaned from a search on previous threads in this forum:

* Zertec Monaco seats - pricey and questionable availability due to the on-off nature of Zertec

* Cerbera seats - drop-in replacement but there are concerns that it raises the driving position slightly.

* Tuscan seats - reported to have been fitted to both a Griffith and Chimaera. Required new seat runners and new holes.

* Sparco race seats have been fitted, but nobody has ever quoted a model number or dimensions.



Plotloss

67,280 posts

269 months

Saturday 23rd July 2005
quotequote all
I think Cerb seats have different holes but am not 100%

Never driven an older one but from the look of it I think you may be right on the squab height, it does look a little higher, you still get an horizon full of bonnet if you are less than about 5'8" though so not too high.

JonRB

Original Poster:

74,393 posts

271 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
Anyone else have any contributions? It could be good to hear from someone who has found Sparco (etc.) seats that have fitted.

TVRs aren't the only cars with narrow cockpits, so presumably seats that will fit a Caterham (or other 7 variant) might fit too?

schueymcfee

1,573 posts

264 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
I've just got some Cobra Monaco seats.

Will let you know how I get on fitting them!

chassis 33

6,194 posts

281 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
I'm off to Demon Tweeks this afternoon in the Chimaera to find a race seat that fits, there is a little over 51cm to play with at the base, slightly more at the shoulders, so I think its going to be a choice (at my budget anyway) of the Sparco Sprint, OMP Eco, Cobra Monaco (listed at 51cm so could be tight), Sabelt Racer, Corbeau Forza (again 51cm) al under the £150 marker each

Caterham seats start at £235 from DT, but i can tell you they are a tight squeeze, I'm fairly average build (34" waist) and I was a push fit when i went for a test in a Caterham Roadsports with the carbon racing seats back in June. Snug doesnt begin to describe things.

Regards
Iain

shpub

8,507 posts

271 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
Sparco Sprint.

chassis 33

6,194 posts

281 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
The Sparco Sprint, Corbeau Forza and Cobra Monaco offered plenty of room, too much for me. The OMP Eco didnt really offer a great amount of support i think its a bit of a boy racers 'ooh look a racing seat' effort.

So I went for the Sabelt Racer, it offered more support than any of the others around the lower ribs and fitted nicely everywhere else.

My advice is to go and try some before choosing, most of the non-reclining seats will fit, the knobs and the like on the reclining seats, in general, make them a bit wide to fit.

Regards
Iain

Big Al.

68,797 posts

257 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
JonRB said:
If a friendly passing mod could set the FAQ flag on this thread then that would be great


55jnj

555 posts

283 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
chassis 33 said:
The Sparco Sprint, Corbeau Forza and Cobra Monaco offered plenty of room, too much for me.

So I went for the Sabelt Racer, it offered more support than any of the others around the lower ribs and fitted nicely everywhere else.

Regards
Iain



Do you know their weight compared to the TVR seats you took out ?

>> Edited by 55jnj on Monday 25th July 19:00

chassis 33

6,194 posts

281 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
I don't know what the TVR seat weighs, sorry, as it's still in the car did everything by measurements across the seat base cushion and at shoulder height...i sat the Sabelt one ontop of the passenger seat to get it home, however the D/T catalogue lists...

Sparco Sprint 8.1kg
OMP Eco 8.4kg
Cobra Monaco 8.4kg
Sabelt Racer 9.5kg
Corbeau Forza doesnt say.

I'd imagine them all being lighter than the OEM seats becasue you dont have the tilt mechanisms etc. Maybe Stuart could weight one if he does his swap before i do?

Regards
Iain

55jnj

555 posts

283 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
OK, when you've taken the original spec seats out would you mind weighing one ? I don't need the tilting mechanism & am keen to strip out unnecessary weight in the car. Cheers.

chassis 33

6,194 posts

281 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
Sure no worries, I'll be throwing them up on fleabay when i do, so will need to weigh them incase someone wants them posting to Mongolia or somewhere.

Regards
Iain

GreenV8S

30,149 posts

283 months

Monday 25th July 2005
quotequote all
Haven't weighed my originals but they felt miles heavier than the Cobra Monarco.

schueymcfee

1,573 posts

264 months

Wednesday 27th July 2005
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
Haven't weighed my originals but they felt miles heavier than the Cobra Monarco.


Peter, what runners are you using for that Monaco?

Is it a special TVR one or is it off a Ford or something?

GreenV8S

30,149 posts

283 months

Wednesday 27th July 2005
quotequote all
Runners? No, it's bolted straight to the chassis. I need every bit of headroom I can get!

schueymcfee

1,573 posts

264 months

Wednesday 27th July 2005
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
Runners? No, it's bolted straight to the chassis. I need every bit of headroom I can get!


Ah right, that could be a problem then seeing as my missus wants to drive it and she's 5"4'!

55jnj

555 posts

283 months

Tuesday 13th September 2005
quotequote all
chassis 33 said:
Sure no worries, I'll be throwing them up on fleabay when i do, so will need to weigh them incase someone wants them posting to Mongolia or somewhere.

Regards
Iain


Hi Iain

Did you ever get round to weighing those seats of yours ?

chassis 33

6,194 posts

281 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Hi, sorry, not yet... see www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=8&h=&t=202792 it wasn't me but my dad, last time I ever loan him a car!!!

The good news is that the car is due back with me this week, and once i've properly assesed whats needed in terms of repairs, I'm removing a front wheel station to send off to my brake people to have a nice setup designed&installed once thats done, the next thing is removal of the interior to allow the cage to be fitted.

Ask again early October.

Regards
Iain

55jnj

555 posts

283 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Oh my.

What happened ? - where ?