My wife got me a great B-day gift
06-01-2005, 05:36 PM
#1
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My wife got me a great B-day gift
Ann had asked me what I wanted for my B-day, so I said "Well, I really need a race seat. You know, for my 5 point harness. For the open road races." She didn't even roll her eyes, but I really didn't expect her to get me one after I told her the price. Anyway, she came through and got me a new Recaro Speed seat 
I installed the seat in both cars, first in the 1980 shark with sunroof. Headroom improved by a little over an inch. I don't have to scrunch my head down when wearing a helmet.....the helmet now just barely touches the roof. Installation was easy, just remove the stock seat and bolt in new one. But the fit is TIGHT against the center tunnel.
Next, I decided to try the seat in the 1979 shark without sunroof (I may use this car for the next ORR anyway). Getting the new seat in this car was tighter. I had to remove the lower recline **** on the inside of the seat. Perhaps the tunnel on this car is larger due to the automatic tranny. Still a VERY tight fit with the seat moved rearward for legroom (I'm 6'-01"). In fact, I think the carpeting and padding on the tunnel prevents the seat from moving all the way back. Lots of headroom in this car, even with a helmet on.
Another concern was the mounting of the harness. Previously, I was able to use Brey-Krause harness mounts for the lap-belt, thus avoiding drilling any holes in the floor. The new seat leaves absolutely no room on the tunnel side for the harness mount, so I had to drill a couple holes in the floor this time. The rear of the harness is secured with DEVEK harness mounts at the shock tower. You can see in the pic that I was able to cut a slot in the carpet for this mount. Looks good, I think.
Anyway, big thanks and lots of love to Ann for this cool and most usefull gift !!!
Rich
I installed the seat in both cars, first in the 1980 shark with sunroof. Headroom improved by a little over an inch. I don't have to scrunch my head down when wearing a helmet.....the helmet now just barely touches the roof. Installation was easy, just remove the stock seat and bolt in new one. But the fit is TIGHT against the center tunnel.
Next, I decided to try the seat in the 1979 shark without sunroof (I may use this car for the next ORR anyway). Getting the new seat in this car was tighter. I had to remove the lower recline **** on the inside of the seat. Perhaps the tunnel on this car is larger due to the automatic tranny. Still a VERY tight fit with the seat moved rearward for legroom (I'm 6'-01"). In fact, I think the carpeting and padding on the tunnel prevents the seat from moving all the way back. Lots of headroom in this car, even with a helmet on.
Another concern was the mounting of the harness. Previously, I was able to use Brey-Krause harness mounts for the lap-belt, thus avoiding drilling any holes in the floor. The new seat leaves absolutely no room on the tunnel side for the harness mount, so I had to drill a couple holes in the floor this time. The rear of the harness is secured with DEVEK harness mounts at the shock tower. You can see in the pic that I was able to cut a slot in the carpet for this mount. Looks good, I think.
Anyway, big thanks and lots of love to Ann for this cool and most usefull gift !!!
Rich
06-01-2005, 07:42 PM
#3
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Originally Posted by Richard S
... But the fit is TIGHT against the center tunnel. ... Next, I decided to try the seat in the 1979 shark without sunroof (I may use this car for the next ORR anyway). Getting the new seat in this car was tighter. I had to remove the lower recline **** on the inside of the seat. Perhaps the tunnel on this car is larger due to the automatic tranny. Still a VERY tight fit with the seat moved rearward for legroom (I'm 6'-01"). In fact, I think the carpeting and padding on the tunnel prevents the seat from moving all the way back. Rich
BTW, I hope you used huge washers when you mounted the belts through the floor.
06-01-2005, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Fogey1
Does this mean that the Recaro has a wider seat pan than the OE seat? I ask because my seat has to support a wide load. ;-)
BTW, I hope you used huge washers when you mounted the belts through the floor.
BTW, I hope you used huge washers when you mounted the belts through the floor.
George Suennen installed some Corbeau race seats, with the wide load option, so he may be able to give you a first-hand "seat-of-the pants" report. His do not recline, but Corbeau does make other models that do recline and are wide. Here's his thread:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...hlight=corbeau
Yes, big-*** washers top and bottom on the eye-bolts
Rich
