steve g

I have located a pair of racing seats that have an FIA sticker that shows year dates from 2005 to 2010 - from which I am assuming the seats were made in 2005 so they are nearly 6 years old. According to the dealer have never been in a car but are display models. The new list price of the seats is usually around $760 but he is selling for $460 including shipping. I'm buying these for my DE 968 car which is in process. What are the pros and cons of buying an out of date seat ?

Scootin159

One of the dates should be stamped so you know when it was made. The pros/cons of buying older seats is that they're normally cheaper, but can't be used for as long. I'm not sure what the expiration date for seats is with the PCA, but I'm pretty sure it's a finite time period.

sbelles

You get six years and then you have to install a brace.

ApexPerformance

You would have to use a seatback brace similar to this once the FIA certification expires:

http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...id=1851&cid=24

smsarchitects

wow, does he have any more for that price?

Carrera51

PCA and NASA require a seat back brace if the seat is over 5 years old. The month and year of manufacture should be punched on the sticker on the left side of the seat. Another seat back brace option which also has the padding required by some organizations is:

http://www.ogracing.com/catalog/2-Ca...EAT-BACK-BRACE

docwyte

Thought you only needed the seat back brace for wheel to wheel racing? OP is building a DE car, so the seat dates shouldn't matter...

racer

Check your local running group. I would *think* for DE its not an issue.. but then again, other DE groups have issues with Harness Belt build dates.. maybe they also do for seats? That said, spending some $$ on seat back brace would seem reasonable.

docwyte

Never had an issue with seat dates here in the Rocky Mtn region with PCA, BMWCCA, NASA etc. All only want the dates for wheel to wheel racing and require a seat back brace for expired seats only if wheel to wheel...

Carrera51

Racer is correct. No seat back brace required for DE.

steve g

Thank you all for the comments.

I am planning to drive the 968 in DE and future PCA stock class Club Racing.

If the age of the seats represented an actual risk - I would definately install the seat back brace.

Seller sent me this picture, however the date code sticker does not have a specific year or month indicated.

J richard

Odd that the date code isn't punched...

Mahler9th

There is some debate on use of seat back braces for seats that weren't tested with them. You used to be able to get a list of seat models with FIA testing on the FIA web site and figure out which were tested with braces and which were not. Nevertheless, some folks elect to have braces even if the seat is within its FIA labeling. I did.

The sanctioning bodies all have rules for racers and DE participants when it comes to seats and braces. Of course just because one is only doing DE's doesn't mean that he or she should or should not have a brace for a seat (within or outside of its FIA labeling period). Same as for head and neck restraints and other safety stuff.

If I were running a 968 and I lived in your area, I'd network my way to KMR in Madtown and learn as much as possible about their experiences in Firehawk with Rich's 968 back in the day. They were kind of the Porsche factory team for a bit... I am a big believer in tapping into local resources with extensive pro racing experience. In my case, my car's builder drove IMSA for years and integrated a lot of info and experience under his curve. This lead me to having a brace for a brand new seat within its FIA labeling, which, according to FIA was not tested with a brace.

Very, very few folks with IMSA experience from the 70's, 80's and 90's are on these bulletin boards.

I remember getting a "tour" of the KMR 968 Firehawk car one Saturday back in 1994. Also the 964 factory IMSA cars. Pretty trick stuff. Great folks at KMR.

steve g

I really appreciate the guidance on this, thanks.

J. Richard - I sent a note to Sparco asking them if they would explain the lack of a date code being punched.

Is anyone here in the Ft. Lauderdale area who might be able to put eyes on these seats for me before I buy them sight unseen since I am in Illinois.