How much space is actually in the cockpit?

[ezakimak]

I’m fairly tall, or tall enough to be annoying when it comes to cars,
195 – 197cm tall (77.5 inches), and have a seated height approximately 96cm (37.8 inches) however this varies a little depending on the angle of the seat back.

Can someone help me out with some dimensions?



A - is obviously the length along the floor, from rear bulkhead to front bulkhead
B – it the height along the rear bulkhead (I know it has a bend in it)
C – height from floor to underside of roll bar or roof, I’m guessing there will be a couple of inches difference depending it a roll bar has been fitted or not.

Regards Ryan

[crafty]

I think Bob Thomas (Ls2ultima) may have sold his car - Ive sent him an email to check. It was in Melbourne....maybe you could track it down and have a test-sit.

[ezakimak]

I think Miraz in sydney has it

last time i sat in it the body was not on, and it does't have a rollbar so i have no idear weather i fit with the roof on and door closed.

[peterpsg]

Mate, to be brutally honest, you're going to have about as much luck of getting in there, and especially with a helmet on, as a dingo bringing back a baby...

I'm only 177cm ~5.10, and in my car I had the drop seat pan, and I still whacked my head on the rollcage/door whenever I put my Sparco helmet on... so if you add 20cm to that!!!

Get a Can-am, just do away with the horrid factory mirror arrangement! Get some racing types stuck on it further forward where they're actually of any use for things other than parking...

[Steve_D]

Have to agree. At 6 foot 5 you have no chance.
Canam with a modified cage and hood.

Steve

[ezakimak]

Destroyed















When I sat in Bobs chassis, the rear roll hoop was close/in line with the back of my head. Had no front roll hoop body work or seat and drooped floor. Been reading this forum for the last couple of years now.......

Just Destroyed.
Thanks though.

As a second though
What could be done to make the thing larger? People do seem to be getting taller. are any of the following do-able?

- 3” dropped floor, might have to modify wheel arches to get larger diameter rubber under there and regain ground clearance.
- Extend the cabin length moving the rear roll bar back and extending the space behind the door
- Shift the pedals further forward, allowing for greater reclining angle on the seat

[Davi]

Have a chat with Splatspeed - he's done some extensive mod's to his chassis to fit him in.

[rduart]

Just a thought. There is a guy on the US Ultima form that goes by the name BigAl. I have spoken with him about his build. My understanding is he is also about 6' 5''. I think he made custom seats and so on. You might want to contact him.

http://www.markkoch.net/ultima/home.asp is the link to the US form. You should be able to find Al from there. I might also still have his number and email address.

Just an idea.

Randy

[ezakimak]

Have read his site before, it is no longer up though – is Big AL Still building?



I really wanted to get some dimensions so I can try and mock up the seating position to satisfy myself one way or the other whether I fit.

[Builder]

Big Al can be found here.

Brad in Chicago, or Ike in Alberta, Canada, may have more contact info.

Al may have sold his car by now. It was on eBay. He should still be able to give you some feedback about the fit.

[Alb. GTR]

I have a similar issue with a tall seated height,I have made up a seat which moves my hips toward the front of the car allowing a lay back and more head clearance. the dimensions you wanted, "B" is 34 and 1/8 inch,the length "A" measured to the front cross frame is 56 and 1/8 but the last pivot hole for the pedals (longest setting) measures 54 and 1/4 inch.Another dimension you need is 31 inches from the back and 17 inches high is the cross bar of the dash ,I found I had to get the best balance between clearing my knees under that bar, and my head on the head bars. The dimensions are from the lowest part of the dropped floor pan. Additionally the bodywork measures 37 inches directly above the low point of the roof bars, so there is almost 3 more inches of clearance to the underside of the roof. The peak clearance for the bodywork(a bit forward of your "C" arrow) measures 38 and 1/4 inches. I hope this helps you out. Marshall

Edited by Alb. GTR on Wednesday 3rd October 23:24

[Steve_D]

ezakimak said:

....
- 3” dropped floor, might have to modify wheel arches to get larger diameter rubber under there and regain ground clearance.
- Extend the cabin length moving the rear roll bar back and extending the space behind the door
- Shift the pedals further forward, allowing for greater reclining angle on the seat

Not wanting to either destroy your hopes or build them up I will answer the above.
You could drop the floor further. The suspension is fully adjustable for ride height without the need to change anything else. It will mean the car riding higher with possible loss of aerodynamics. it will also show a gap between top of wheel and wheel arch which you may not find aesthetically pleasing. Many have had to go this route to clear traffic calming road humps or steep driveway entrances.

To move the bulkhead back would be a lot of work but not impossible. You would not need to touch the lower parts of the bulkhead as the area you want to move is behind your head. The top rail could move back making a steeper angle to the top part of the bulkhead which already leans back. Modifications to the front of the rear clip could be hidden with the use of one of Waynes CF air scoops. A seat with a more laid back stance would finish it off.

Shifting the pedals will not be possible IMO as they are right up against the structure supporting the whole of the front suspension so major chassis changes would be required.

Steve

[andygtt]

pee is 6ft 6in and he managed to fit in his GTR..... had to get special seats though and you'd have no chance of driving with a helmet so track days would be out.

Of cause you could always get a canam! far better looking as well.

[LuckyP]

Anyone tried tilting the seat back to allow the torso to 'lay' back a little?

Before you abandon all hope, get yourself in a GTR, you might find it OK.

Lucky

[crafty]

I understand that "xtremeauto" bought Big Al's car - its the silver one with the LS7 in it recently posted.

[Lotusfamily]

Has anyone looked into having a Custom Racing Bead Seat installed in the car to assist with the hight issues? Im 6'5 and after a failed test fitment into a car with a dropped floor pan and standard seats we are wondering if this option will work?

[RazMan]

The standard seats are specially made to give a more 'laid back' driving position - they make the average bucket / racing seat feel as if you are bolt upright. Karting seats are even more laid back but might take some getting used to.
The custom racing seats which are moulded to your shape in two pack foam might be an option.

[Lotusfamily]

Yea the racing foam (bead) seats used in F1/IRL/CART/Alms ect. are the ones were are talking about, has anyone seen one of these used in a GTR and how much headroom would it provide over a standard style seat?

[Steve_D]

Without actually going and checking it I would guess that bum to floor pan with the Ultima seat will be about 1" so if you used a bead seat with no padding at all under your butt then you could gain that inch.
Somehow doubt it will be enough. Looks like you will have to have a CanAm.

Steve

[Davrianman]

I have a long body, so even though I am only 6ft, when sitting, I am the same height as most 6'6" tall blokes.

What I did was to order a chassis with only one centre bar between the front and rear cages. This gives you just that little extra room to wear a crash helmet etc.

The roof is actually about 2" higher than the top of the cage on my build. I think the earlier cars were fitted much closer, but the later cars have a larger gap between cage and roof...

I personally don't think you will have a problem. It won't be roomy though. As the others said, a Canam would probably be a better route if you are unsure...

It's good fun modifying a car to fit you, that's what kit cars are all about! Cheers,

Mart