Alternative seats for my Tuscan
Discussion
I've never got on with the standard Tuscan seats with their lack of lateral support. I've always been keen on keeping the car as standard as possible, but after twelve years, I don't think anyone would blame me for getting something better. Besides, I can always bung the originals in the loft for storage.
Has anyone replaced the standard seats, and if so, for what? I assume my options are limited by cockpit space.
Whatever I put in will need to match the existing colours (azure and forest - Swordfish colours), so I'll need to factor in the trimming costs.
Any thoughts/input would be appreciated.
Cheers
Pete
Has anyone replaced the standard seats, and if so, for what? I assume my options are limited by cockpit space.
Whatever I put in will need to match the existing colours (azure and forest - Swordfish colours), so I'll need to factor in the trimming costs.
Any thoughts/input would be appreciated.
Cheers
Pete
Facing the same dilemma with the project car, I would ask you this - have you tried the seats with the removable seat squab out? I did, and it makes a huge difference, suddendly you feel properly 'clamped' into your seat. Of course, sitting right on the sprung part of the seat without any padding at all is at best a solution for 20 minute track sessions, but having tried this option for size it did point at a probably solution - replace the lower seat squab with one that's made of a thinner (about half its original thickness) but harder kind of foam - which is the route I'll be taking.
I remove the squab to provide a bit more clearance for trackdays where a helmet is required. My bloated bum fits into the seat OK. My problem is the shape of the backrest. I don't so much fit into it, more slide off it, like an over-inflated airbed.
I have experimented with the lumbar support inflated or deflated, but that changed nothing to the upper body lateral support. Interestingly, I feel more planted in the passenger seat, so perhaps the driver's side is too padded in the back. I'm wondering whether it can be re-trimmed in a more sympathetic way.
I have experimented with the lumbar support inflated or deflated, but that changed nothing to the upper body lateral support. Interestingly, I feel more planted in the passenger seat, so perhaps the driver's side is too padded in the back. I'm wondering whether it can be re-trimmed in a more sympathetic way.
There were threads previously where people had some of the padding removed from the backrest to allow the torso to go back in the seat more. Probably a much cheaper option than new seats.
I had to get rid of my Tuscan seats for the same reason as you and at the time got a set of the Sparcos that were going to be fitted to the mark II Sagaris from the factory which were then moved to the Sagaris. Much better seat but not a cheap option even if you can find some.
I had to get rid of my Tuscan seats for the same reason as you and at the time got a set of the Sparcos that were going to be fitted to the mark II Sagaris from the factory which were then moved to the Sagaris. Much better seat but not a cheap option even if you can find some.
The Evora seats are very nice but they do come with a high cost. When I was looking they were around 1k each and then you would need them re-trimmed (unless you could find some that matched) so you are looking north of £3,000 to put in a pair of Evora seats.
I have some Elise S2 seats I may be tempted to part with for the right money. The driver seat also has the lumber support pump and they both have custom brackets fitted already to bolt straight into a Chim (so I guess a tuscan would be about the same).
Or I might put them in this (any excuse to post a pic):
I have some Elise S2 seats I may be tempted to part with for the right money. The driver seat also has the lumber support pump and they both have custom brackets fitted already to bolt straight into a Chim (so I guess a tuscan would be about the same).
Or I might put them in this (any excuse to post a pic):
phazed said:
Also VX220 Seats.
Now that's a very good call. I was looking into the same thing a couple of years ago. Having read good reviews of the seats fitted to later Elise/Exige and that they're designed to go in an equally narrow car I started looking in the classifieds but they seemed to be like rocking horse poo and priced to match. However that bit of lateral thinking passed me by but I wish I'd looked into it. However too late now and I think I would go down the route of adapting the seats as already mentioned, thinner firmer seat squab plus taking a bread knife to the back rest - I'm sure I remember an old thread with some pictures of someone doing this. If in doubt try making a call to someone like Dave the trimmer for advice?
I've only sat in the Lotus seats for a 45 minute test drive but found them extremely comfortable and supportive. I believe the later Probax seats were truly ergonomically designed to offer not only good lateral support but also trunk and under leg support too meaning the bodies weight being supported evenly.
If the op decides to go this route it would be a good idea to ask for owners opinions over on the Lotus forum.
Thanks Basil, but the bum end of things isn't my problem. It's the lateral support to the upper body and the 'over stuffed' feel of the backrest that is the issue.
I understand that Tuscan seats are narrower than others, so maybe just remodelling the side bolsters might be an option.
Thanks folks for all the input so far.
I understand that Tuscan seats are narrower than others, so maybe just remodelling the side bolsters might be an option.
Thanks folks for all the input so far.
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