Chimaera Seats
Discussion
into first week of my Chimaera 500.
makes the smiles come so oftem my face is aching...
However, i find the seat back have no lateral support in the bends, ive had a few quick jap cars, prior to the chim, a Honda S2000, the seats in that held you tight no matter how fast you cornered.
it feels like your perched on top of the seat rather than in it...
are they all like this, or is it just me?
cheers
makes the smiles come so oftem my face is aching...
However, i find the seat back have no lateral support in the bends, ive had a few quick jap cars, prior to the chim, a Honda S2000, the seats in that held you tight no matter how fast you cornered.
it feels like your perched on top of the seat rather than in it...
are they all like this, or is it just me?
cheers
I agree, they could do with more lateral support, lots of people swap seats for Tuscan seats, which are expensive. Some have gone for MX5, I have previously fitted seats out of a Westfield. These gave loads of latteral support but lost the comfort when doing a long trip. Dont know what the MX5 seats are like, may be worth looking into though.
i Just sold a mk1 MX5 import, i would say they are not as comfy as the tvr seats. hold you ok, but at 6' 1" i find the backs are low.
i wonder if you could get the bolsters on the tvr ones made bigger and firmer at a car upholsterers.
for me thay spoil the fun of the car a bit, that and the seat belt in the neck.
i wonder if you could get the bolsters on the tvr ones made bigger and firmer at a car upholsterers.
for me thay spoil the fun of the car a bit, that and the seat belt in the neck.
I've put MX5 seats in mine and find them really comfy.
There isn't massive amounts of support though, but there are loads of guides online about how to remove parts of the foam to achieve this, It will be a summer 'thing to do'
[ing[http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/luz008/TVR/Picture984.jpg[/img]
There isn't massive amounts of support though, but there are loads of guides online about how to remove parts of the foam to achieve this, It will be a summer 'thing to do'
[ing[http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/luz008/TVR/Picture984.jpg[/img]
Jag XJS seats are a quality leather option that are also in keeping with the classic style of a Chimaera.
Here's my post when I was ChimpOfDarkness:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
XJS seats are reasonably easy to get hold of, cheap to buy, & offer a lot more lateral support.
Its tight getting them in, but despite what some say they definitely do fit, & here's the proof:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Now my LPG conversion is all done & working well, I'll be getting this little project finished off soon.
Whatever seats you choose, you need to know the space available is very tight, you need unusually narrow seats to fit between the central chassis tunnel & the "B" post.
Elise seats offer great lateral support, they fit well & are very light, but for me they don't suit the car's classic GT style, and they're not cheap to buy either.
Cerbera seats were fitted to the last Chimaeras so they are a good choice for the semi-purist looking for better lateral support, but again they're not cheap (if you can find a set at all)
Tuscan seats fit, but are also not cheap & tricky to find a decent set, they are a bit too modern looking for my taste too.
Other options are MX5 or S2000, the Honda S2000 seats I've seen in Chimaeras never seem to fit well though.
So there are options, but for me it's the XJS seats that offer the best compromise between a style that suits the car, comfort, lateral support, quality & price.
But I guess that's just my point of view, at the end of the day it's horses for courses.
One thing is for sure, you're absolutely right, the originals don't offer nearly enough lateral support for a car of this type.
Here's my post when I was ChimpOfDarkness:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
XJS seats are reasonably easy to get hold of, cheap to buy, & offer a lot more lateral support.
Its tight getting them in, but despite what some say they definitely do fit, & here's the proof:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Now my LPG conversion is all done & working well, I'll be getting this little project finished off soon.
Whatever seats you choose, you need to know the space available is very tight, you need unusually narrow seats to fit between the central chassis tunnel & the "B" post.
Elise seats offer great lateral support, they fit well & are very light, but for me they don't suit the car's classic GT style, and they're not cheap to buy either.
Cerbera seats were fitted to the last Chimaeras so they are a good choice for the semi-purist looking for better lateral support, but again they're not cheap (if you can find a set at all)
Tuscan seats fit, but are also not cheap & tricky to find a decent set, they are a bit too modern looking for my taste too.
Other options are MX5 or S2000, the Honda S2000 seats I've seen in Chimaeras never seem to fit well though.
So there are options, but for me it's the XJS seats that offer the best compromise between a style that suits the car, comfort, lateral support, quality & price.
But I guess that's just my point of view, at the end of the day it's horses for courses.
One thing is for sure, you're absolutely right, the originals don't offer nearly enough lateral support for a car of this type.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-S3-Recaro-seats-lea...
these look along a similar style.
the XJS ones look just a couple of inches too wide for my liking.
i agree with the integrated headrest, it just wouldnt suit the car at all.
need to get busy with a tape measure...
these look along a similar style.
the XJS ones look just a couple of inches too wide for my liking.
i agree with the integrated headrest, it just wouldnt suit the car at all.
need to get busy with a tape measure...
If you like Audi seats then what about the S line leather seats.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A5-S5-RS5-Sline-Lea...
They are really supportive and look really nice (if they fit).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A5-S5-RS5-Sline-Lea...
They are really supportive and look really nice (if they fit).
sprockett2103 said:
need to have a measure up of the originals, i wonder if a retrimmers can reshape the foam to make it more supportive.
the downside with Audi seats is i'd be putting german parts in my car... )-:
You could go british with these and refurb them!the downside with Audi seats is i'd be putting german parts in my car... )-:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ASTON-MARTIN-DB7-CREAM-L...
carsy said:
Dave, how much headroom do you reckon you have lost with those Jag seats.
Without rails none.With the rails you are lifted about 5mm from memory.
Which is not a problem as when I tried it I felt it gives a more commanding view of the road ahead, and a feeling of better control as you can see the leading edge of the bonnet better.
I'm still undecided if I'm going to bother with the rails, my current thoughts are no rails are needed on the passenger side as there's naff all leg room anyway.
But, I'll probably fit the rails on the driver's side so the seat can be adjusted for different drivers, which will be essential if I ever come to sell the car.
I really liked the way the whole thing came together, better lateral support, better seating position, improved comfort & they look right for the car too.
But if I'm honest it was a very brief down & dirty test to prove they will fit, which they most definitely do.
I need to finish the dying to Doeskin project using the Furniture Clinic kit I bought, I also need to make up simple "H" frames to marry up the XJS seat frame to the TVR rails and get them positioned correctly for the existing bolt holes.
It requires slightly offsetting the rails in relation to the centre line of the XJS seat frame to get the XJS seats into the exact (one & only) position to sit you facing nicely square onto the steering wheel & pedals.
Easier than it sounds TBH, but totally doable.
Edited by ChimpOnGas on Wednesday 17th April 14:58
Another option is to try the CJ lock which clamps you in better but allows upper body movement harnesses would not allow.
Personally i find the seats very comfortable on trips & suit the stlye of the chim with enough lateral support for road use which depends a lot on your frame size.
If i were to track a lot i would fit harnesses anyway plus a roll bar.
I have experience of most of the other options (except the Jag seats which i imagine are v heavy) & most are no real improvement IMO over the chim seats. You could try adjusting the seat bolter padding via a good trimmer.
FWIW the Elise seats i had to use chair pads to make long journeys bearable so be wary of these in a chim!
Personally i find the seats very comfortable on trips & suit the stlye of the chim with enough lateral support for road use which depends a lot on your frame size.
If i were to track a lot i would fit harnesses anyway plus a roll bar.
I have experience of most of the other options (except the Jag seats which i imagine are v heavy) & most are no real improvement IMO over the chim seats. You could try adjusting the seat bolter padding via a good trimmer.
FWIW the Elise seats i had to use chair pads to make long journeys bearable so be wary of these in a chim!
Andy JB said:
Another option is to try the CJ lock which clamps you in better but allows upper body movement harnesses would not allow.
Personally i find the seats very comfortable on trips & suit the stlye of the chim with enough lateral support for road use which depends a lot on your frame size.
If i were to track a lot i would fit harnesses anyway plus a roll bar.
I have experience of most of the other options (except the Jag seats which i imagine are v heavy) & most are no real improvement IMO over the chim seats. You could try adjusting the seat bolter padding via a good trimmer.
FWIW the Elise seats i had to use chair pads to make long journeys bearable so be wary of these in a chim!
Good post Andy.Personally i find the seats very comfortable on trips & suit the stlye of the chim with enough lateral support for road use which depends a lot on your frame size.
If i were to track a lot i would fit harnesses anyway plus a roll bar.
I have experience of most of the other options (except the Jag seats which i imagine are v heavy) & most are no real improvement IMO over the chim seats. You could try adjusting the seat bolter padding via a good trimmer.
FWIW the Elise seats i had to use chair pads to make long journeys bearable so be wary of these in a chim!
FYI the XJS seats are no heavier than the original Chim ones.
I've looked at the CJ lock before & like the idea, I'm tempted to try the CJ lock in conjunction with my Jag seats for that fully connected feeling
Its CG Lock not CJ - he was Reggie Perrins boss.
I've got the CG locks in the Griffs and they do help a lot. So much so that I bought them for my daily driver and they do keep your lower half in place. About £40 and 10 min to fit so a tad easier than replacing seats - worth a try.
Some useful info:
http://www.backinaction.co.uk/cg-lock
http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/cg-lock/discount-offers/
2 minutes search, but sure you could get a bit cheaper:
http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/HARNESSES-CG-LOC...
FFG
I've got the CG locks in the Griffs and they do help a lot. So much so that I bought them for my daily driver and they do keep your lower half in place. About £40 and 10 min to fit so a tad easier than replacing seats - worth a try.
Some useful info:
http://www.backinaction.co.uk/cg-lock
http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/cg-lock/discount-offers/
2 minutes search, but sure you could get a bit cheaper:
http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/HARNESSES-CG-LOC...
FFG
t - yeah - that's another job for warmer weather!!!
Sardonicus said:
These are a bargain http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elan-M100-Seats-Lo... I might have some of that 
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