Bolting seat to the floor

[MadMaxx]

Is there anything else than can be done to an OEM seat (88) besides bolting it to the floopan to gain room? Is there foam that can be removed for a bit more clearance?

I'd rather not have to go to aftermarket seats, but I might.

James

[dictys]

You may be best getting GT3 or V8 sport seats or sport 300 seats if you do not wish to go aftermarket.

The Sport 300 seats can be ordered from SJS sportcars untrimmmed or fully trimmed with fixings.

Otherwise go to PUK racing for the GT3/V8 sports seats which are trimmed and painted to match your Esprit.

Rgds
Dictys

[superdave]

Hi there. This question gets raised all the time (pardon the pun). www.lotusespritworld.com has done an article highlighting all the issues on what mods you can do to gain extra room.

Cheers,


Dave Walters

[MadMaxx]

Superdave:

While it does give some tips for the tall-drivers, it does not explain the proceedure for the seat change. AKA what size studs should be used, what type of bracing needs to be fabricated to the fiberglass pan, etc.

My problem is that my knee/thigh is binding on the wheel. At this point, I cannot roll off the gas onto the brake. To remedy this, I made a 2.5" spacer for the wheel that will bring it forward. That should be enough for me to lift off the throttle smoothly. I may change seats eventually, but mocking up the rail-less seat on the pan didn't show much of an improvement, so I may keep it stock for a while.

[superdave]

hi there, you don;t need to make up any brackets. You just drill four more holes where you want to mount your seat. Use larger washers and thats it. The bolts are 8mm I think. Problem is you can't adjust your seat.
I was just about to do this when an unmarked pair of GT3 appeared on Ebay and I couldn'd believe my eyes when the backs where in Norfolk Mustard the same colour as my car. Paid less than a quarter of what they are brand new. Pretty luckey hey.

Cheers,


Dave Walters

[MadMaxx]

Hehe

Thanks for the info dave! I'm working on extending the steering wheel out ~2 inches to gain my much needed knee-clutching room. I drove the car today in my socks LOL

I might end up with a pair of Sparco roadster seats, or simmilar >20" width shallow backed seat. Only time will tell.

James

[superdave]

MadMaxx said:

Hehe Thanks for the info dave! I'm working on extending the steering wheel out ~2 inches to gain my much needed knee-clutching room. I drove the car today in my socks LOL I might end up with a pair of Sparco roadster seats, or simmilar >20" width shallow backed seat. Only time will tell. James

Hi there,

I think I was looking at these seats. Double check the extra room first before buying. The trick is buy a seat with a GRP or CF/Kevlar back so it's very thin.
Also double check the height. Some of these seats look normal in saloon cars etc. But in ours they look too high.
You really want to find a short seat.
Best advise is to find a local motor shop that stocks seats. Ring them up to make sure they have plenty on display stock. Undo your passenger or even your drivers seat and try the seats in your car. Passenger seat safer to take out and leave unbolted but the driver's seat will give you a more acturate feel once the seat's in.
Also try and see if you can get these seats without the manufacturer's logo in. It looks better IMO.

Cheers,


Dave Walters

[esprit87]

MadMaxx said:

Superdave: While it does give some tips for the tall-drivers, it does not explain the proceedure for the seat change. AKA what size studs should be used, what type of bracing needs to be fabricated to the fiberglass pan, etc.

There's some info on this at Johan's Extreme Esprit site. Perhaps you'll find it useful.

www.extremeesprit.com/Safety_Mods_/Racing_Seats/racing_seats.html


Cheers,

Magnus