Stock seats ...
- Thread starter Beedub
- Start date
You can see the weights of all the components here: http://mfans2.com/parts/catalog/E86/Europe/Z4_M3.2-S54/R-N/browse/seats
The frame and the backrest weigh over 40lbs each, before any of the leather and padding etc. is added.
The frame and the backrest weigh over 40lbs each, before any of the leather and padding etc. is added.
api330 said:
Suggest you check on a supplier website - I got mine from MSAR.co.uk - as you have a few options to decide on : whether GRP or carbon; padding or not, etc.
Also you need to budget for: side mounts (I used the Tillett ones), sliders (Tillett again) and frames to actually get them into the car - I used Sparco ones for now (with a bit of modification) - but am still working on a custom set from Machine Monkey.
Also if you want harnesses that will be extra of course. Plus working out how to mount them ...
If interested I posted some pics of mine fitted a while back.
Hi Tertius long time no speak!! I haven't forgot about this I should have my machines all up and running soon.
Sorry about the thread hijack Byron!!
Sorry about the thread hijack Byron!!
some really interesting cars lurking within this forum that are keeping way to quiet!!! Api, car looks awesome, how about some more pics of the rear bar???
sadly the seats and all bits needed to install are insanely priced hence why i'm working out how much i could get back from stock seat install, i wont see much change from 3k
if their was a way on getting a hardness to work on the stock seats in a roadster i Definitely would have left them in place as apart from the weight i love them.
sadly the seats and all bits needed to install are insanely priced hence why i'm working out how much i could get back from stock seat install, i wont see much change from 3k
if their was a way on getting a hardness to work on the stock seats in a roadster i Definitely would have left them in place as apart from the weight i love them.
Beedub said:some really interesting cars lurking within this forum that are keeping way to quiet!!! Api, car looks awesome, how about some more pics of the rear bar???
sadly the seats and all bits needed to install are insanely priced hence why i'm working out how much i could get back from stock seat install, i wont see much change from 3k
if their was a way on getting a hardness to work on the stock seats in a roadster i Definitely would have left them in place as apart from the weight i love them.
I think 3K is a bit much for a pair of seats as nice as they are, May try and fit to stock seats, Could almost get a super charger for that money,
These are the only other pictures I have, You can only just see it in second picture,
Api, we need more information about your rear strut brace 
Where is it mounted on the nearside? I have been thinking about asking Machine Monkey if he can fabricate a strut brace to run horizontally between the two rear strut towers. It might be possible to use this as a rigid fixation point for harnesses for both seats too.
I find that the inertia reel belts and small seat bolsters don't keep me planted in the seat through high g corners. I have a CG Lock which does improve things by locking the lap belt section tightly over the brim of the pelvis, but allows the shoulder belt to move freely. Although no substitute for bucket seats and six point harnesses, it really does increase seat of the pants feedback from the rear wheels as well as stopping the driver sliding around.
http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/cg-lock/
Are you keeping your inertia reel belts for road use Beedub? The major disadvantage of using a harness in a road car is not being able to lean forward in the seat when pulling out of side roads. I find this a big problem when using my Westfield on the road as the seating position is so far back.
Where is it mounted on the nearside? I have been thinking about asking Machine Monkey if he can fabricate a strut brace to run horizontally between the two rear strut towers. It might be possible to use this as a rigid fixation point for harnesses for both seats too.
I find that the inertia reel belts and small seat bolsters don't keep me planted in the seat through high g corners. I have a CG Lock which does improve things by locking the lap belt section tightly over the brim of the pelvis, but allows the shoulder belt to move freely. Although no substitute for bucket seats and six point harnesses, it really does increase seat of the pants feedback from the rear wheels as well as stopping the driver sliding around.
http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/cg-lock/
Are you keeping your inertia reel belts for road use Beedub? The major disadvantage of using a harness in a road car is not being able to lean forward in the seat when pulling out of side roads. I find this a big problem when using my Westfield on the road as the seating position is so far back.
My harnesses are mounted as follows:
Shoulder straps clip to FIA harness eye bolts with backing plates that have been fitted into the bulkhead behind each seat.
Lap straps clip to FIA eye bolts that have been fitted to the seat side mounts
Crotch straps are attached to a cross bar that is part of the seat frames/floor mounts
I have retained the inertia belts, as I agree they are much preferable on the road.
Regarding that rear brace I would need to see more details/pictures to know, but I think there would have to be a cross bar that was perpendicular to the belts for it to be at all suitable - that diagonal won't do. Also it needs to be strong enough for harnesses.
I doubt whether a rear strut brace (between the towers) would be suitable unless it were super strong. I seem to recall that MM's front braces are made in two parts which bolt together, if the rear brace were made in the same way I would not use it for carrying harnesses.
You would also have an issue, in both cases, that the harnesses would have to rise up over the bulkhead and then down to the cross brace. I can't see that would pass scrutineering.
Finally regarding using harnesses with the standard seats ... I'm doubtful. A serious risk if you do that is that in an accident the straps will separate (i.e. spread apart) and your shoulders will slip through. However, I have never actually had the standard seats so I'm not sure if it could be done safely.
Shoulder straps clip to FIA harness eye bolts with backing plates that have been fitted into the bulkhead behind each seat.
Lap straps clip to FIA eye bolts that have been fitted to the seat side mounts
Crotch straps are attached to a cross bar that is part of the seat frames/floor mounts
I have retained the inertia belts, as I agree they are much preferable on the road.
Regarding that rear brace I would need to see more details/pictures to know, but I think there would have to be a cross bar that was perpendicular to the belts for it to be at all suitable - that diagonal won't do. Also it needs to be strong enough for harnesses.
I doubt whether a rear strut brace (between the towers) would be suitable unless it were super strong. I seem to recall that MM's front braces are made in two parts which bolt together, if the rear brace were made in the same way I would not use it for carrying harnesses.
You would also have an issue, in both cases, that the harnesses would have to rise up over the bulkhead and then down to the cross brace. I can't see that would pass scrutineering.
Finally regarding using harnesses with the standard seats ... I'm doubtful. A serious risk if you do that is that in an accident the straps will separate (i.e. spread apart) and your shoulders will slip through. However, I have never actually had the standard seats so I'm not sure if it could be done safely.
Your right tertius the front brace is made in two bits. But when I make them again I am hopping they will be one piece as the machine I am using is much bigger.
For the rear brace I am wanting one myself. So we hen I get chance I will make myself one. If anyone wants one after that let me know. Not sure about mounting the harness to it? Yes it will be well made yes it will be strong yes I will use good quality material.I won't be testing it in any way though.As it's not so visually obvious in the boot of a roadster I was going to make mine out of steel tube? Anyone rather aluminum?
For the rear brace I am wanting one myself. So we hen I get chance I will make myself one. If anyone wants one after that let me know. Not sure about mounting the harness to it? Yes it will be well made yes it will be strong yes I will use good quality material.I won't be testing it in any way though.As it's not so visually obvious in the boot of a roadster I was going to make mine out of steel tube? Anyone rather aluminum?
Machine monkey said:
I want one - as you know. I would not use it for harnesses and would prefer aluminium. I'd also like it to be reasonably easy to detach from the tower fittings.
I'd strongly suggest some serious thought before making one that you propose to carry harnesses. It'll have to be steel and *really* strong.
The demands and risks associated with a chassis brace are totally different from a harness bar which is a safety device.
Thanks MM! When I'm home from Oz and I've fitted my KW suspension / rear top mounts I planned to contact you about fabricating something....
Edit: I don't want to fit harnesses at the moment, but I would want to be able to remove the middle section to use the boot (I was thinking something like the OEM front strut brace).
Edit: I don't want to fit harnesses at the moment, but I would want to be able to remove the middle section to use the boot (I was thinking something like the OEM front strut brace).