Who's Got Bucket (fixed Back) Seats In Their Line?

[JCMarshall_Law]

Hey all,

I'm looking at getting a good seat and harnesses for track work in my street registered R33. I'd really like to get a proper fixed back bucket seat but I've got a few concerns that I would like peoples opinions on:

- Firstly, is this correct - they are illegal unless the rear seats are removed and the installation engineered???

- Is there any way of getting one approved if I don't remove the rear seats. I'm just looking at replacing the drivers seat.

- If you do have fixed back seats and they are not approved how (or do) you get away with it?

- Are they a real pain in the ass to have on a street driven car - ie; hard to get in and out and are they uncomfortable for long drives?

- Is there any other options for fitting a seat good for track work?

Cheers

[GTRgeoff]

Haven't taken the time to find out yet, but I do plan to do some engineering inspections once I'm up there.

Anyway I just bought a set of recliner Recaros with rails and they are super comfortable, much nicer than GTR stock seats and better lateral support, while demonstrating much less flex. There's one (recliner) for sale in Brisbane now for a steal of a price.......

[JCMarshall_Law]

There's one (recliner) for sale in Brisbane now for a steal of a price.......

Out of an Evo by any chance...?

[GTRgeoff]

Indeed.

Try it, you will be impressed with the comfort. Mine were aftermarket with the rails, but a slight mod to the universals would see you sweet. Someone on here did a tutorial.

[GTRgeoff]

BTW here is the distributors website with prices....

http://www.idealseat.com.au/products.html

[JCMarshall_Law]

Cheers for that,

Another reason I wanted the fixed back seat is so I can make up some custom fixed position mounts and get the seat as low as possible. The reason being I'm tall (6ft3) and My head touches the roof with the standard seat and a helmet fitted!!! Not all that safe.

I could always make up custom mounts for the recliner I guess.

Anyone have any idea on the origial questions?

[Mulkers]

For coupes; The rear occupants access is not to be restricted, so fixed buckets aren't allowed (Exception of cars converted to 2 seats through vic roads because of a rollcage/stripped interior)

For Four doors; all is good, as rear occupants have their own doors

[Big Rizza]

For coupes; The rear occupants access is not to be restricted, so fixed buckets aren't allowed (Exception of cars converted to 2 seats through vic roads because of a rollcage/stripped interior)

For Four doors; all is good, as rear occupants have their own doors

GO THE 4DOOR

[JCMarshall_Law]

Anyone?

[MK2]

Pretty sure none of the bucket and fixed back seats are ADR approved in this country matey for street use. So even if it is engineered and deemed sound, the actual seat structure itself isnt bearing the little ADR sticker on it somewhere will net you one free ticket.

Thats my interpretation of reading the rules on rta.nsw, might be best to give them a call though to clarify it.

[SR32]

As far as I know fixed backs are illegal in perth

Sit in your seat if you get pulled over so they dont notice its fixed

To solve the in and out issue = quick release steering wheel

[SR32]

actually you may be able to get away with it if you rego your car as a 2 seater only

[MountainRunner]

I am pretty sure you are right with having to remove the back seats and having the car engineered then re-registered as a two seater. Just call up a compliance engineer, they are easy to talk too and usually have other stuff you haven't even thought about.

[Duncan]

The seats we can get are ADR approved. www.hgeconsulting.com.au/raceworx/obx.htm

I don't know about QLD, but in NSW, like Vic you must have reclining seats in a 2 door if it is not registered as a 2 seater.

[J-Boy]

Ive got Bride Zeta2 fixed bucket seats in my car, and have got mod plates fer them, making them legal. Well that is also due to my stripped interior and car is registered as a 2-seater. As fer ride comfort, honestly i don't feel that uncomfy in them even when doing like over 100kms at one time. They do hug u really nice n tight thru corners. I do however have had passengers saying it's a bit hard fer them to get in and out...

[jmac]

Hey Pat, I had a chat with my mechanic and the guys at RPM about this. Basically what Paul and others are saying is right as far as I know - in a 2-door the access to the rear seats mustn't be restricted in any way, so if you install fixed-back buckets you have to get it mod-plated and re-registered as a 2-seater.

Maybe a better solution would be to get recliner seats - I have sat in a few that I'd rate better than the R34 GT-T seats (which I think you have?)...

Edited May 13, 2006 by jmac

[GTRgeoff]

I do have a lingering memory of needing only one as a recliner and the other (drivers) fixed. I'll try dig it up.

[GTRgeoff]

Well I searched through here but not any detail.

There is an interesting point on tinted windscreens though.

Qld_mods.pdf

BTW did I mention Qld is modding utopia compared to the Nazi states.

[JCMarshall_Law]

Cheers all,

Pretty much as I expected. I'm not that keen to strip the interior (or remove rear seat) as it is still a pretty smick r33 as far as they go. I guess I'll have to look further into the reclinable bucket seats. Bride make some nice ones, the only problem is the price ~ $1500 USD

http://www.i-m-racing.com/brlowmaxgise.html,

where as you can get a good quality fixed back Sparco seat for around $900 AUD

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SPARCO-CORSA-RACE-S...1QQcmdZViewItem.

Cheers

Edited May 15, 2006 by JCMarshall_Law

[jmac]

BTW did I mention Qld is modding utopia compared to the Nazi states.

Shhhhhh..... be vewwy vewwy quiet.....