Fitting bucket seats
09-10-2002, 01:41 AM
#1
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Fitting bucket seats
Volks,
I'm about to fit a pair of bucket seats (Sparco Evo or Recaro SPG) to my C4. Does anyone have any experience in fitting bucket seats with side mounts & sliders? I don't want to do any drilling to the floor of my car!!
THKS
Johannes E.
I'm about to fit a pair of bucket seats (Sparco Evo or Recaro SPG) to my C4. Does anyone have any experience in fitting bucket seats with side mounts & sliders? I don't want to do any drilling to the floor of my car!!
THKS
Johannes E.
09-10-2002, 05:06 AM
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You can fit an SPG to the stock rails with Recaro side mount plates and Porsche manual seat slider brackets, no drilling of the car. The side brackets provide a couple of mounting holes for the seat, I found the seat to be leaned back a bit too far for my liking even on the more upright of the std possibilities, so drilled an extra hole at the front of the side mounting brackets to tilt the seat forward a little more. If you need extra headroom you can drill additional holes on the side plates lower than the std positions. I find the SPG extremely comfortable and leave it in all the time, but you definitely need to try before you buy, it is a very snug fit.
P.S. If you need to accommodate, shall we say, a wide variety of passengers
, you may be better off leaving a stock seat on the passenger side. A significant proportion of the population will simply not be able to fit into an SPG.
P.S. If you need to accommodate, shall we say, a wide variety of passengers
, you may be better off leaving a stock seat on the passenger side. A significant proportion of the population will simply not be able to fit into an SPG.
09-10-2002, 07:21 AM
#3
Race Car
Johannes, I have a Sparco Evo II in my 964 and used to have an Evo on the passenger side. You may already know that the Evo is a bit "skinnier" than the Evo II. My girlfriend (who is quite petite) loved the Evo but some of my other friends couldn't fit in it.
So, I have gone back to using the factory passenger seat and I continue to enjoy my Evo II as the driver. I'm fairly slender and would imagine anyone with a "wider" profile wouldn't like tooling around in these types of "racing bucket" seats.
You might want to consider using Recaro SRD seats, unless you're a total "Trackhead"...then the SPG and Evo might suit you.
Installation is straightforward...using a pair of sliders and side mounts. No drilling necessary unless you want to mount the side rails directly to the floor - in which case you just "egg" out the holes on the sidemount rails. I use sliders and am 6ft tall...sometimes I wish the sliders weren't in there, usually while at the track, as my helmet tends to hit the roof a bit. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />
So, I have gone back to using the factory passenger seat and I continue to enjoy my Evo II as the driver. I'm fairly slender and would imagine anyone with a "wider" profile wouldn't like tooling around in these types of "racing bucket" seats.
You might want to consider using Recaro SRD seats, unless you're a total "Trackhead"...then the SPG and Evo might suit you.
Installation is straightforward...using a pair of sliders and side mounts. No drilling necessary unless you want to mount the side rails directly to the floor - in which case you just "egg" out the holes on the sidemount rails. I use sliders and am 6ft tall...sometimes I wish the sliders weren't in there, usually while at the track, as my helmet tends to hit the roof a bit. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />
09-10-2002, 10:30 AM
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John & Jeff,
Thanks! I can't use my original sliders since they are fully electrical! Any Sparco/Recaro sliders available for Porsche in particular? Both seats will have to go since weight reduction is an issue right now. BTW, has anyone removed the entire carpet and how much of a job is it to do?
I have to get other seats in, I'm used to the RS seats from my 968CS and I'm tired of sliding around in my C4 leather seats.
Jeff, I'm about 6.2ft and 33" waist, do you reckon I need EvoII or will Evo be enough?
John, Will the SPG's be a snugg fit basis my 6.2ft length and 33" waist?
Lot's of questions but you guys are always happy to chime in!
Ciao,
Johannes E.
Thanks! I can't use my original sliders since they are fully electrical! Any Sparco/Recaro sliders available for Porsche in particular? Both seats will have to go since weight reduction is an issue right now. BTW, has anyone removed the entire carpet and how much of a job is it to do?
I have to get other seats in, I'm used to the RS seats from my 968CS and I'm tired of sliding around in my C4 leather seats.
Jeff, I'm about 6.2ft and 33" waist, do you reckon I need EvoII or will Evo be enough?
John, Will the SPG's be a snugg fit basis my 6.2ft length and 33" waist?
Lot's of questions but you guys are always happy to chime in!
Ciao,
Johannes E.
09-10-2002, 02:25 PM
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Johannes,
I'm 6', 32" waist and find the SPG very comfortable, but definitely no room to move around (which is a good thing) - I believe the SPG has either the same or a very similar shell to the seat in the 968CS so you should feel right at home. At 6'2" you will probably need to drill the extra holes in the side plates to get a bit more headroom, unless you like a fairly laid back driving position . I recall the supplier of my seat saying that it was necessary to get the Porsche sliders to install the seat properly.
I'm 6', 32" waist and find the SPG very comfortable, but definitely no room to move around (which is a good thing) - I believe the SPG has either the same or a very similar shell to the seat in the 968CS so you should feel right at home. At 6'2" you will probably need to drill the extra holes in the side plates to get a bit more headroom, unless you like a fairly laid back driving position
. I recall the supplier of my seat saying that it was necessary to get the Porsche sliders to install the seat properly.
09-11-2002, 02:57 AM
#6
Race Car
The sliders that most shops carry for the fiberglass/carbon fiber based "bucket-style" racing seats will suffice. There is not much difference in sliders whatsoever.
Johannes, are you going to track the heck out of the car?? If you are still planning on doing some street driving, I would certaily opt for the Evo II and the extra width it provides - I believe it's only 3/4"?? ...not much difference from the Evo, but enough to make me a bit more comfortable.
As for removing all of your carpet...well, that's fairly easy...but getting all the adhesive off the chassis is a bit messy. I'm starting to get the idea that you're looking to build a race car. If so, good luck...I think starting with a 964 is a GREAT choice.
Johannes, are you going to track the heck out of the car?? If you are still planning on doing some street driving, I would certaily opt for the Evo II and the extra width it provides - I believe it's only 3/4"?? ...not much difference from the Evo, but enough to make me a bit more comfortable.
As for removing all of your carpet...well, that's fairly easy...but getting all the adhesive off the chassis is a bit messy. I'm starting to get the idea that you're looking to build a race car. If so, good luck...I think starting with a 964 is a GREAT choice.
09-11-2002, 08:35 AM
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Jeff,
Well, race car or not, plan to do some Auto X soon!
I have just upgraded the stock shocks with Bilstein HD and Eibach springs (FVD Kit), rear 21mm swaybar, front strut brace, 6mm spacers (big improvement!), stainless steel brakehoses, EBC Red brake pads , FVD shortshifter, MOMO Corse steeringwheel and RS brakeducts.
Next in line is a set of Michellin Pilot Sport Cup tyres, RS door panels, FIA approved rollcage or bar, bucket seats, harnesses, shiftlight and MSDS air intake kit.
Been thinking about removing the carpet as well and fitting plastic windows but it's a big operation I reckon.
So what you are saying abouthe sliders, is that any Sparco/Recaro universal slider will bolt on to the original mounting holes?!
Ciao,
Johannes E.
Well, race car or not, plan to do some Auto X soon!
I have just upgraded the stock shocks with Bilstein HD and Eibach springs (FVD Kit), rear 21mm swaybar, front strut brace, 6mm spacers (big improvement!), stainless steel brakehoses, EBC Red brake pads , FVD shortshifter, MOMO Corse steeringwheel and RS brakeducts.
Next in line is a set of Michellin Pilot Sport Cup tyres, RS door panels, FIA approved rollcage or bar, bucket seats, harnesses, shiftlight and MSDS air intake kit.
Been thinking about removing the carpet as well and fitting plastic windows but it's a big operation I reckon.
So what you are saying abouthe sliders, is that any Sparco/Recaro universal slider will bolt on to the original mounting holes?!
Ciao,
Johannes E.
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09-11-2002, 05:42 PM
#8
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Hallo
Yes you can use the universal Recaro Sliders, and here is a Picture
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2002_0906AH.JPG" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2002_0906AH.JPG</a>
off a lightened Interieur off my 94 Speedster . I am Down to 1100 Kilogramms
with mostly RS Parts , and some Carbon ( hump ,rear Hood ( 356 Style)
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2002_0906AN.JPG" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2002_0906AN.JPG</a>
, no Powersteering,Airbags, AC, Powerwindows, etc. The Picture is not actual i now have RS Seats installed and a 993 Engine with 6 Speed .
Harald
Yes you can use the universal Recaro Sliders, and here is a Picture
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2002_0906AH.JPG" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2002_0906AH.JPG</a>
off a lightened Interieur off my 94 Speedster . I am Down to 1100 Kilogramms
with mostly RS Parts , and some Carbon ( hump ,rear Hood ( 356 Style)
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2002_0906AN.JPG" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2002_0906AN.JPG</a>
, no Powersteering,Airbags, AC, Powerwindows, etc. The Picture is not actual i now have RS Seats installed and a 993 Engine with 6 Speed .
Harald
09-11-2002, 08:43 PM
#9
Technical Specialist
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[quote]<strong>No matter what you buy, you had better sit in them first.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Amen! Seats are like helmets - they are fit our bodies differently. Be sure you'll be comfortable with whatever you choose.
Amen! Seats are like helmets - they are fit our bodies differently. Be sure you'll be comfortable with whatever you choose.
09-12-2002, 04:16 AM
#10
Race Car
Good choice on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires! I've heard great things about them...but a rollcage to go autocrossing?? Hmmmmm, although it may stiffen up the car a bit, a rollbar will be much lighter - but then if you're concerned about safety, well then, no arguement there!
My advice, if you want to even hear it, is that you might want to be careful in making the car too uncomfortable for street driving. Autocrossing would be great in a car like yours, I've done it quite a bit in between track events, if anything, for the chance to sort out the car - legally.
I just think things like a rollcage is excessive for what you want to do - go with a four-point bar...like the one Bill G. has (mine's on the way), available from DAS Sport Systems <a href="http://www.das-sport.com" target="_blank">www.das-sport.com</a> ...you won't find a nicer setup that doesn't require drilling/welding, etc.
Bill, please post a pic of that beautiful piece of artwork, if you would.
Just my two cents Johannes.
My advice, if you want to even hear it, is that you might want to be careful in making the car too uncomfortable for street driving. Autocrossing would be great in a car like yours, I've done it quite a bit in between track events, if anything, for the chance to sort out the car - legally.
I just think things like a rollcage is excessive for what you want to do - go with a four-point bar...like the one Bill G. has (mine's on the way), available from DAS Sport Systems <a href="http://www.das-sport.com" target="_blank">www.das-sport.com</a> ...you won't find a nicer setup that doesn't require drilling/welding, etc.
Bill, please post a pic of that beautiful piece of artwork, if you would.
Just my two cents Johannes.
