Competition seats for Chimaera
Competition seats for Chimaera
Author
Discussion

chimaera500

Original Poster:

7 posts

277 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
quotequote all
Having slid around on my standard seats once too often - does anyone know what FIA approved seat will fit in a Chimaera (similar in size to the Griff I think)?

shpub

8,507 posts

300 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
quotequote all
Sparco Sprints probably will but it all depends on exactly where you are going to place the seat as it can interfere with the door, tunnel etc etc. Best thing is to do some measuring. Most people also bolt through the floor and do not use the runners which can cause a problem or two.

Most of the Demon Tweeks people have the seat dimensions in their catalogues.

EdT

5,234 posts

312 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
quotequote all


This 500 that I've seen sprinting recently had race buckets that looked pretty good.

Ed

chimaera500

Original Poster:

7 posts

277 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all
Thanks for the suggestion Steve - the Sprint is certainly the smallest seat listed in the Demon Tweeks catalogue

Most critical dimension seems to be at shoulder height but even having measured it isn't clear to me whether the max shoulder width would clear the top of the door (in which case I could go for a bigger seat) or whether it would not (in which case even the Sprint may be tight).

Any further thoughts appreciated.

Regards



>> Edited by chimaera500 on Wednesday 8th October 13:54

RichB

56,138 posts

312 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all
Ed - presumably the Cerbera seats you've fitted to your Griff give better support, even if they are not full race buckets etc. ? Rich...

shpub

8,507 posts

300 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all
I have the Sprint seats in the 520 and they just fit. They are difficult to get in and out and the trick of swivelling on the seat doesn't work. Bear that in mind. I think the only real way is to visit a shop that has some seats and do some what if with them. The other issue is whether the seats will fit located where you want them.

griff2be

5,105 posts

295 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all
If you are in the vicinity of Reading then drop in to see Steve Howard/Precision Racing. Steve has some Corbeau seats that are about to go into a converted Tuscan racer and you could drop one in to see how they /you fit.

I have the Corbeau Revolution in my race car, in kevlar and carbon and am very pleased with it. They are much better value for money than Sparco.

MajorClanger

749 posts

298 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all
chimaera500 said:
Having slid around on my standard seats once too often - does anyone know what FIA approved seat will fit in a Chimaera (similar in size to the Griff I think)?
Have you tried giving Zertec a call? As they show some seats on their website (albeit with a Pistonheads!!! domain)

MC

griff2be

5,105 posts

295 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all
MajorClanger said:

chimaera500 said:
Having slid around on my standard seats once too often - does anyone know what FIA approved seat will fit in a Chimaera (similar in size to the Griff I think)?

Have you tried giving Zertec a call? As they show some seats on their website (albeit with a Pistonheads!!! domain)

MC

Depends whether he wants them in July 2003 or 2004...

EdT

5,234 posts

312 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all
RichB said:
Ed - presumably the Cerbera seats you've fitted to your Griff give better support, even if they are not full race buckets etc. ? Rich...


yup very happy with them when I go around corners etc. The lumbar is a boon too

Ed

williamball

4,739 posts

310 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all
I beleive Colin Logan [ColinL I think] has put the new style Tuscan/Cerbera seats in his Chimaera. Track him down and give him a shout if you want to go down that route. I also think he knew the whereabouts of a few Tuscans in a breakers yard...

WB

Colin L

1,243 posts

295 months

Wednesday 16th July 2003
quotequote all

Some one mention my name ?

Yep I have fitted a pair of Tuscan Seats in my Chimaera, they fit perfectly, no problems. The only change to make was 2 new rear holes in the floor as the Tuscan seat runners are 2 inches longer.

This works well in the Chimaera as now there is a bigger seat movement forward for short drivers, my wife for one, but the best is on the track as the you take the cushion out and there is no slidding about.

Also as I have a 2inch width Willians Harness bolted in the car the shoulder straps fit nicely as well. If you have 3inch straps they will not work with the Tuscan seats.

I had a roll bar fitted as well, but am having the design changed to be better for the car and me.

I have also had the seat mounting points strenghten as just a bolt in the fibre glass does not fill me with safety comfort. A steel bar fitted to the bottom of the car is being made up at present which will be weilded to the chassis with the seat bolted to it.

Try out the Tuscan seats if you fit them and can find a pair cheap then go that way, I got mine from a breakers for £190 the pair. The driver seat had a bent base, but when stripped was very easy to fix.

They look cool too,

Colin L


PS: Should I call my car a Tusaera now ???

gugne

4,799 posts

280 months

Thursday 17th July 2003
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Colin L said:


I have also had the seat mounting points strenghten as just a bolt in the fibre glass does not fill me with safety comfort. A steel bar fitted to the bottom of the car is being made up at present which will be weilded to the chassis with the seat bolted to it.



I would have thought that beefing up the harness mounting points would be more important. With a correctly fitted four/five point harness the chair is going nowhere.

I could be mistaken though.

MajorClanger

749 posts

298 months

Thursday 17th July 2003
quotequote all
griff2be said:
Depends whether he wants them in July 2003 or 2004...
Please explain!

MC

shpub

8,507 posts

300 months

Thursday 17th July 2003
quotequote all
gugne said:




I would have thought that beefing up the harness mounting points would be more important. With a correctly fitted four/five point harness the chair is going nowhere.

I could be mistaken though.


You are. The MSA started recommending re-enforced seat mounts a few years ago after a couple of accidents caused by the seat ripping out, despite the harness staying intact.

Tower View made a set of bars that fit underneath that bolt on and strengthen the seat mounts. Worth considering as they are only about £40 and increase the safety aspect tremendously.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

Colin L

1,243 posts

295 months

Thursday 17th July 2003
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Steve that's means I have done something right then ??

Please say yes,

Colin L

shpub

8,507 posts

300 months

Thursday 17th July 2003
quotequote all
............Yes!

gugne

4,799 posts

280 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
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shpub said:



The MSA started recommending re-enforced seat mounts a few years ago after a couple of accidents caused by the seat ripping out, despite the harness staying intact.



Sorry, gave up motorsport 5 years ago and failed to keep up with the rule changes.

jellison

12,803 posts

305 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
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Corbeau Pro Race or Pro Sports are very good.

griff2be

5,105 posts

295 months

Thursday 24th July 2003
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MajorClanger said:

griff2be said:
Depends whether he wants them in July 2003 or 2004...

Please explain!

MC


I ordered a pair in November 2002, with a 6 week delivery time. I cancelled them in April 2003, when there was still no indication of when they might be ready.