Getting a better driving position.

[G-P]

I am 6"3 and struggling a little in my mk1 mx5, I find that my knees are too close to the steering wheel and feel that I sit too high. I have the Jap spec Momo wheel and standard seats. Does anyone have any recommendations for different seats and steering wheels to overcome this?. A aftermarket bucket seat would be a preference as my intentions are for more track driving.

Many Thanks,

[ady_GTi]

Check out the foamectomy thread, cheap and easyish solution until you can get yourself some buckets.

Ive only done the back section so far, made a decent difference!

[ronime]

Yep, same height, same car, same steering wheel.

I fitted a 25mm spacer between the steering wheel and the hub. It helped a great deal.

http://www.hillengineering.co.uk/catalog/sws01b-p-...

Edited by ronime on Monday 25th October 20:39

[worldwidewebs]

If it's mainly track I'd recommend doing what I've done - Sparco Sprint 5 seat bolted directly to the floor.

The seat runners are mounted on floor-mounted "humps" - one at the front and two smaller ones at the back. If you cut out the rear ones you can mount the seat directly onto the floor right up to the rear bulkhead and behind the front "hump". For best comfort you'll need to tilt the seat back slightly.

I've tried lots of ways to get good leg-room and this is by far the best (although not adjustable!). Also, it has the advantage that you get lots of headroom under a rollbar even with your helmet on.

[G-P]

Thanks for this, steering wheel spacer has been ordered. If I bolt a bucket seat to the original runner will that still make a difference in lowering the seat? When you say bolt the seat to the floor does that mean drilling new holes in the floor? What do the humps in the floor do?

[youngsyr]

G-P said:

Thanks for this, steering wheel spacer has been ordered. If I bolt a bucket seat to the original runner will that still make a difference in lowering the seat? When you say bolt the seat to the floor does that mean drilling new holes in the floor? What do the humps in the floor do?

Unfortunately the standard seats are pretty well designed for the car and make the most of the space under the seat, so it's difficult to get much lower. With the right seat (e.g. Lotus Elise seat), you can get slightly lower than a foamectomy if you fabricate a bracket and have the bottom of the seat touching the top of the runner.

As said above, to get a decent decrease in ride height then you will need to bolt directly to the floor, or come up with a different runner design.