guys, i need some help finding the right racing seats for my car.
it's going to be used for TT to start with (with the 1.8), if that works out ok,
i would like to move on to club racing (with a 3.2+).

soooo, now i'm looking for the right seats to buy.
i do have one of tony's roll-cages, but no harness bar.
also, i'm fairly tall (6,1) and my butt is not the skinniest either

suggestions are welcome!
Andy

That's a hard question to answer. What is most important? Cost? Fitment? Appearance? I use a Momo Rookie. Black goes well with my black interior (that was easy), it fits the space well, and it fits my backside (34" waist). Best of all I got it in almost-new condition from an online classified add for about half price.
If you are around many race-oriented 914's sit in a few and see if you find one you like. That way you'll know what you're getting into (excuse the pun) before you buy.
-Ben M.

Check with the racing bodies you are racing in or want to. Some have specific rules regarding type of seats, even diqualilfying some manufactures and models for safety reasons.

fitment!
what's the point of a cheap seat if i can't get my butt in?

i have tried a few seats, but haven't found anything i liked.
just trying to get a feel for what's out there.

Do like most of us:

Go to a store that sells seats and plop your ASS into them. Pick out the one you like and make sure it is FIA approved. Frey Racing was 2 blocks from the Lemans Karting we did and carries a plethora of racing seats. Come up during the week and visit me... and I'll take you over to Wine Country Motorsports. They have a large showroom with seats also.

B

I have a pair of MOMO T-Frame seats going into my car. They are FIA certified and constructed of steel tubing. I just did a butt-test the other day as I moved them from the garage into the house for storage. I still fit!

For a car seeing mostly track use I'd probably get a Kirkey. They come in sizes per your hip measurements.

You can buy MOMO's and all the others in PLUS sizes. The local places stock the smallers seats for the RICEBOYZ''sss.

I'm out on the Kirkey's. I want the seat to give a little when I'm stretched out on the belts in a accident. The FIA approved seats flex on purpose.


B

I didn't know the Kirkey's weren't approved. An FIA certified seat should be the first thing on your list. I don't think the MOMO Rookie is FIA approved, or at least it wasn't when I was buying seats a few years ago.

I recently installed a Sparco Rev, but I have to say I'm 6'1 and 165# and I probably won't squeeze into it if I put on more than 10#. I decided I wanted a fiberglass shell and not a metal frame seat. You have to pay attention to the descriptions to be sure of what your looking at. Also keep in mind that if you go with a wider seat you may not be able to use the emergency brake. I figured that 18.5" wide was the most I could fit in the 914 and still use the brake. One of the reasons I picked the Sparco is you can remove the covering to clean or replace. A lot of the seats you can't. You definitly need to sit in a seat first to see if you fit then make sure it'll fit the 914.

Mine has a great big embroidered "FIA Approved" cert message on the side. It's about 2 or 3 years old.
-Ben M.

I would spring the extra bucks for a "shell" seat, versus a tube-frame. Tube-frame seats are usually the cheapest variety, but also the weakest, heaviest, and least comfortable.

Only the MOMO fiberglass and Carbon seats will be FIA 1999 aproved and that is what is needed to not install a seat back brace. A t-frame or other tube frame seat will not pass.

-Tony

I use an UltraShield aluminum seat in my race car for several reasons: I supports my body better than the glass/fiber/tube framed ones, it has more inside room for the same outer dimension since it is aluminum and not 1 inch tubing on each side and for the same reason it sits lower in the car which gets my considerable bulk closer to the ground. I looked at the FIA approved seats and after talking to the tech inspectors at SCCA and Vintage events they said in a 914 there was plenty of protection and I agree. The belts will hold you and the seat from going forward and the bulkhead will keep you from going back but in a side or t-bone crash all the seats react about the same. I have seen pictures from an Australian touring car race and a side on impact that tore the carbon seat off the mounting bolts that were moulded into the seat body? As for mounting the seat, that is open to the rules you'll race under since some organizations let you use adjusters and some don't? I mounted mine solid with two sets of holes on the steel mounts so I can move it back when my daughter drives. If you can find a race shoop that supports SCCA racing, they will have a wide selection to choose from. Good luck.

Andy,
I have used these OMP seats in my car. I am also 6'1" 225lbs and I fit in them. I mounted these to the stock rails and was able to maintain the slider and tilt adjustments. These have the sholder belt cutouts so I don't think a harness bar is required. I did use these with a harness bar. Take Brads advice and sit in different brands and styles. Comfort is a good thing on the track.
Van

Fine, so I'm a Schwenk-hole!

Um, mine are (I'm pretty sure) FIA approved. Will check tonight. Otherwise stay away from them when I put them on Ebay

I have a kirkey in my 911 and a MOMO Nascar in my 914. Used to have a koenig SP700 in my 911 but is a heavy ass seat.

Does if the seat is FIA approved does PCA still require a seat back brace?

Being FIA approved means nothing, there is a special FIA approval that SCCA/PCA, ect require.

-Tony

If you're a little "bigger" get a Recaro Pole Position

It is FIA approved (but check what Tony just mentioned!) and I think the Recaro's are be bit sturdier build than the Sparco / Momo / OMP seats I've tried

What ever you do, I'd stay away from any t-frames style seats (no matter if they are FIA approved or not)...

cheers,

Jeroen

I like the Sparco EVO. fits the best for my skinny ass and is comfy.

thank you all for your input.
i will start squeezin my butt into as many seats as possible ...
and then let brad make the final descision

Andy

Be sure and check how high you will sit in a new seat - I just touch the roof with helmet and stock seat. Most seats I have seen are a bit higher than stock.

Ken

Ken,

We cut the cross brace out of the floorboard and mount the seats on the approved brackets that you can buy with the seats. This allows you to mount the seat basically on the floor. I stopped using sliders. I'll stick a cushion behind you if you cant reach the pedals driving my car...LOL


B

Brad; I'm planning on taking my Sparco seat off the rails and bolting it to the floor this weekend. I was going to notch the brackets. You think it's better to cut the cross brace?

brad uses ANY excuse to play with the plasma cutter.
can't blame him tho, fun toy (add BIG grin here)

Andrew,

As soon as you cut the brace, you'll find that it is worthless. Make small cuts and you can fold it over by hand. So... I just cut them out. If you dont, you have to notch it and the bottom of the seat will still hit the tilt adjuster for the 914 seat. Lose it. I swear Porsche out it there to keep crap from going under the seats.

B