Seats upgrade

T

tertius

Active member
Although the Pole Positions in flatout's old car, I wasn't totally happy with them - very slightly too wide to fit perfectly (though a bit of experimentation revealed this could be solved) and slightly too large for me to get really comfortable in the car. Accordingly I decided to change them for something a little sleeker, and after much deliberation and trying various seats I settled on the Tillett B5 (normally found in Elises and Caterhams). As the car has a (mock) carbon interior I decided to bite the bullet and go for the carbon fibre version. As I also wanted to avoid any MoT issues I planned to retain the passenger occupancy sesnsor, original belts, etc., and therefore, I would need the optional "Dinamica" suede panels to cover the sensor, plus I like a little comfort.

Finally I got a little carried away, and also replaced the harnesses with new Schroth ASMs in silver.

Trial fitting of the driver's seat and harnesses:

Z4M_seats_01_med.jpg

I then did a certain amount of mucking about to adjust the angle and position of the seat, etc.. Here are both seats in (post mucking about), but I forgot to pull the harnesses out so they could be seen:

Z4M_B5_01.jpg

Z4M_B5_02.jpg

Z4M_B5_03.jpg

I am discussing with TIllett the possibility of getting new headrests made with the M logo embroidered in.
 
I like them a lot!

I know that you have to inform the insurance about changes like this.. .but does it make a huge cost difference ?

I'd like to swap my standards over for something a bit more supportive, but never seem to catch the electric heated M's on ebay!

Wattsie
 
To answer the questions:

Comfort: the new seats are extremely comfortable, very stiff and supportive

Pole Positions: they are for sale, but I should say someone saw them at the weekend, however, he questioned whether they were genuine. I had no evidence either way and could not say for definite. I have since done some research and I am now confident that they are genuine, they are the road version and not FIA-approved, hence no FIA sticker.

I will let the person who saw them at the weekend know what I have found and see if they still want them.

Otherwise, yes will be available.
 
Oops forgot to answer the insurance question: this (and previous cars) have so many mods that changing one after market seat for another after market seat will make no difference at all.

Changing from standard seats probably will have an effect, however. Some insurers are much more amenable than others, I tend to use specialist rather than mainstream insurers.

Re. Price, will post a new for sale ad, but there was a slightly presumptuous ad that I put up before I actually had the Tilletts and they took blooming ages to make, plus I now know for sure what I have.
 
They'll be the Pole Position ABE version which is 'road legal', rather than the race version.

30 minutes in B6 Tilletts in a Caterham R500 Evo was enough for me - JEEZUZ they were snug. Although I must say they stopped me moving around :P

What are you connecting the harness too? I hope it's to something directly behind/level with the seat cut-outs rather than down on the floor.

If they're not and you want to know why I'm moaning, I'll dig out the MSA Blue Book rules for you, and some reasons why they need to be secured that way.
 
What's happened to the airbag light???
Guessing the bulbs pulled???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Beedub said:
What's happened to the airbag light???
Guessing the bulbs pulled???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thought you're meant to in line splice a resistor into the circuit?
 
Good to see what the brackets are for! They look great :thumbsup: the gear knob looks great as well.

Looks like I might have to tap you up for a passenger ride.
 
mmm-five said:
They'll be the Pole Position ABE version which is 'road legal', rather than the race version.

30 minutes in B6 Tilletts in a Caterham R500 Evo was enough for me - JEEZUZ they were snug. Although I must say they stopped me moving around :P

What are you connecting the harness too? I hope it's to something directly behind/level with the seat cut-outs rather than down on the floor.

If they're not and you want to know why I'm moaning, I'll dig out the MSA Blue Book rules for you, and some reasons why they need to be secured that way.
Click to expand...

I know exactly why you are moaning ... the shoulder straps are attached to eye bolts behind the seats: there are FIA backing plates fitted behind the bulkhead at shoulder level.

Waist straps go to eye bolts in the seat mounts.

I am quite slim, and to be honest the Pole Positions are actually too big for me. I did consider the B6 (it is cheaper) but in the end decided the B5 was the better choice, though it has slightly less side support it is still very good.
 
Beedub said:
What's happened to the airbag light???
Guessing the bulbs pulled???
Click to expand...

Certainly not ... there was no need, I still have the seat belt tensioner in place and fully functional. I have moved the tensioner over to the new seats. Ditto the occupancy sensor - you can just see it between the cushions on the passenger seat.

Air bag, tensioner, etc. are all still there and working.
 
tertius said:
I know exactly why you are moaning ... the shoulder straps are attached to eye bolts behind the seats: there are FIA backing plates fitted behind the bulkhead at shoulder level.

Waist straps go to eye bolts in the seat mounts..
Click to expand...
Good lad.

I'm just shocked every time I see a 'track prepped' car on track days (and even on race meeting scrutineering) with the harness going down to the floor at almost 60-80 degrees :thumbsdown:
 
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