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      08-26-2014, 12:04 PM   #1
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Seat ideas for a moddified z4m I am buying

Ok, I am buying a modified Z4M from a forum member on here and I went to SO CAL to drive the car this past weekend and I could not get into the racing seat. It was meant for a thinner person. Frankly a little hurtful I might add.
So the car is a track and street coupe, so I need to ditch the racing seats, but was looking for something a little more comfortable to fit a 38 and could be both a track seat and a street seat that uses a 6 point harness. Any ideas?
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      08-26-2014, 01:13 PM   #2
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I have the same issue. Somewhere I say someone that installed some Porsche Gt2 seats. They looked great. Can't seem to find it now.
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      08-26-2014, 02:13 PM   #3
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Recaro Profi XL might do the job but not sure if it will rub against door cars.
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      08-26-2014, 03:27 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
Recaro Profi XL might do the job but not sure if it will rub against door cars.
That's my issue is if that might be a problem in this car. I am 5-10 230lbs with wide shoulders and this tends to be a big problem with Porsche seats.
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      08-26-2014, 04:34 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by No65mph View Post
That's my issue is if that might be a problem in this car. I am 5-10 230lbs with wide shoulders and this tends to be a big problem with Porsche seats.
I say you just deal with the door card rubbing. It's not the end of the world and not a problem specific to the Z4. I've seen this on 1/3-series all the time.
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      08-26-2014, 05:52 PM   #6
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      08-26-2014, 09:57 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by No65mph View Post
So the car is a track and street coupe, so I need to ditch the racing seats, but was looking for something a little more comfortable to fit a 38 and could be both a track seat and a street seat that uses a 6 point harness. Any ideas?
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Recaro Sportster (not too sure on width)
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Sportster isn't 5/6 point compatible
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      08-27-2014, 01:48 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
Sportster isn't 5/6 point compatible
Yeah I looked it up, very important part of it. Any other ideas seat wise?
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      08-27-2014, 08:55 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by No65mph View Post
Yeah I looked it up, very important part of it. Any other ideas seat wise?
Honestly things like this are hard to recommend online. You just need to go to a race shop and try out different seats that fit you best. Take measurements of those seats. Then research online to see if others have a) fitted those same seats or b) fitted seats with similar measurements. Obviously each model within a brand differs but my overall impressions for Sparco, OMP and Recaro for 3 seats that were all considered to be similar in size were:

Sparco Evo - tight waist, good lumbar support but side bolters were a little low
OMP WRC - high side bolsters, generous space in the shoulder areas (but less shoulder support), and you really "sink" into the seat which helps offset the lack of shoulder support
Recaro Pole Position - waist was in between OMP & Sparcos, shoulders felt crowded though

All 3 seats were good and I wouldn't hesitate to run any of those brands, just have to pick what fits you best. I will say Sparcos are generally cheaper than Recaros so I think you get really good value with those. But if you're top heavy, I would look into OMP WRC XL's, really good leg support without crowding the chest/shoulders.

One other piece of info, does the seat currently have harnesses? I'm assuming they don't because harnesses obviously require a harness or rollbar and the space is pretty cramped to begin with. Reason most folks DON'T go with aftermarket seats is because there's simply not enough room to install a rollbar. A harness bar may give you more space but isn't as safe and some clubs may not even allow them. So before you decide to commit to seats & harnesses, first check to see if you even have space to install a proper rollbar. I'm 5'9" and I barely have enough space for a rollbar and harnesses installed correctly (proper angle & spacing).

And if it turns out you don't have enough space to run harnesses & rollbar, then you may want to look at something like the Sportser which will provide good lateral support but still compatible with the factory 3 points. Factory belt + CG lock + Recaro Sportster would do a good job of holding you in place.
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      08-27-2014, 10:03 AM   #10
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i barley squeeze sparco evo 2+ seats in my coupe. they rub against the door sills when closing the doors. other seat i was looking at were cobra suzuka pro's i believe. you can check seat dimensions based off the eve 2+ to get an idea of what will work fitment wise. let mentioned before you need to sit in seats and find what fits you also take into consideration where the opening for the harness are located in relation to your shoulders when sitting in the chair...too low is not good!
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      08-27-2014, 10:36 AM   #11
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      08-27-2014, 11:31 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
Honestly things like this are hard to recommend online. You just need to go to a race shop and try out different seats that fit you best. Take measurements of those seats. Then research online to see if others have a) fitted those same seats or b) fitted seats with similar measurements. Obviously each model within a brand differs but my overall impressions for Sparco, OMP and Recaro for 3 seats that were all considered to be similar in size were:

Sparco Evo - tight waist, good lumbar support but side bolters were a little low
OMP WRC - high side bolsters, generous space in the shoulder areas (but less shoulder support), and you really "sink" into the seat which helps offset the lack of shoulder support
Recaro Pole Position - waist was in between OMP & Sparcos, shoulders felt crowded though

All 3 seats were good and I wouldn't hesitate to run any of those brands, just have to pick what fits you best. I will say Sparcos are generally cheaper than Recaros so I think you get really good value with those. But if you're top heavy, I would look into OMP WRC XL's, really good leg support without crowding the chest/shoulders.

One other piece of info, does the seat currently have harnesses? I'm assuming they don't because harnesses obviously require a harness or rollbar and the space is pretty cramped to begin with. Reason most folks DON'T go with aftermarket seats is because there's simply not enough room to install a rollbar. A harness bar may give you more space but isn't as safe and some clubs may not even allow them. So before you decide to commit to seats & harnesses, first check to see if you even have space to install a proper rollbar. I'm 5'9" and I barely have enough space for a rollbar and harnesses installed correctly (proper angle & spacing).

And if it turns out you don't have enough space to run harnesses & rollbar, then you may want to look at something like the Sportser which will provide good lateral support but still compatible with the factory 3 points. Factory belt + CG lock + Recaro Sportster would do a good job of holding you in place.
Yes harness and Roll bar are installed. The current seats are just too narrow, real narrow. I believe it's a 5 point off the cage harness, but will have to ask if that's the case, but there is a harness there and no normal seat belts. That was the issue here as far as top heavy part, that's me to a "T". I will check the sparcos. I ran those in my 67 Camaro and liked them, but not sure they will fit here.
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      08-27-2014, 02:48 PM   #13
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I am running the SPG XL's and have no rubbing with the door.
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      09-03-2014, 02:20 AM   #14
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Would something like this fit?
http://www.racing-seats-usa.com/20001.html
I had a this seat in my 67 Camaro with no issues, but that was a much bigger car.
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      09-03-2014, 08:23 AM   #15
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These aren't fixed back seats, sadly I'm not familiar with options nor fitment, but using the measurements off one of the fixed seats mentioned should give you a ballpark idea on fitment.
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      09-03-2014, 09:45 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by No65mph View Post
Would something like this fit?
http://www.racing-seats-usa.com/20001.html
I had a this seat in my 67 Camaro with no issues, but that was a much bigger car.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabbanick View Post
These aren't fixed back seats, sadly I'm not familiar with options nor fitment, but using the measurements off one of the fixed seats mentioned should give you a ballpark idea on fitment.
Not to mention they don't allow 6 points, only 5. 5 points during an accident can be really gruesome down there lol. If you're going to go through the hassle of installing new seats, do it right and find one that allows the use of 6 point sub.
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      09-03-2014, 10:56 AM   #17
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      09-03-2014, 11:47 AM   #18
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Hooray for another Z in the South Bay!
Are we saying I am overweight? Ouch.
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      09-03-2014, 11:49 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sabbanick View Post
These aren't fixed back seats, sadly I'm not familiar with options nor fitment, but using the measurements off one of the fixed seats mentioned should give you a ballpark idea on fitment.
Yeah, I was hoping not to use a fixed back seat. I was hoping for ideas on a good sport seat that was not fixed back with a car that has a cage and had room for my rear end. I didn't think this was going to be as difficult as it has been. I would hate to lose the belts.
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      09-05-2014, 08:40 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii
Recaro Profi XL might do the job but not sure if it will rub against door cars.
The profi XL will def rub on the door , hell my Recaro pole positions do .
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      09-05-2014, 09:28 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
The profi XL will def rub on the door , hell my Recaro pole positions do .
I have Profi XL's installed and no rubbing. I don't have much clearance but just enough. Then again I am tall so my seat is pretty far back. You gain a tiny bit of room the further back the seat is mounted.

These two pictures are from when i first installed the seats. They are more reclined then I liked in these pics so I adjust them to be more up right which also gained be a bit of clearance.



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      09-05-2014, 10:21 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F360C
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
The profi XL will def rub on the door , hell my Recaro pole positions do .
I have Profi XL's installed and no rubbing. I don't have much clearance but just enough. Then again I am tall so my seat is pretty far back. You gain a tiny bit of room the further back the seat is mounted.

These two pictures are from when i first installed the seats. They are more reclined then I liked in these pics so I adjust them to be more up right which also gained be a bit of clearance.

http://s145.photobucket.com/user/F360C/media/58978D61-4543-412F-A55B-C0536080970E-1011-0000006768E4E9A1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...6768E4E9A1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

http://s145.photobucket.com/user/F360C/media/1762BF74-D435-4BAF-97F7-E6CFBFFC554D-1011-0000006754A17AD7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...6754A17AD7.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
You're seats are def wayyy more reclined than mine and are all the way back which makes the difference . I'm 6'1 and I can't drive that far back lol .
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