Racing Seat Recommendations

[KezR33]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new seat for my 180sx. The car is registered but will rarely be driven except from Melbourne to Winton, Shepp, etc. This means the seat needs to be somewhat comfortable for the long drives.

The seat also needs to be fixed back, low mount, have high sides and be able to accomodate a 5-6 point harness.

Only other issue is I'm quite skinny (183cm 68kg with a 30-32 waist), so I need the seat to be quite small.

The current options I have in mind are:

The Cobra Suzuka: Cheap, I've sat in it, it fits me pretty well and is fairly comfortable.

http://www.revolutionracegear.com.au/index.php?PCID=10422&PSO=245&PSID=4663115_20&PSV=Primary&CDO=

Velo Podium II: Expensive but I've only heard great things about this seat. Never actually sat in one though.

http://www.velo.com.au/itemdetailspage/31934

Bride Zeta III: This seat is fairly cheap, but needs to be imported from Japan (works out to be similar to the Velo). Again I've only read fantastic reviews online, and its apparently a very tight seat which would suit someone slim like myself.

http://www.nengun.com/bride/zeta-iii-frp

Do any of you have any experience with the above mentioned seats?

Of course I'm open to any other suggestions you guys might have. I'm also willing to buy second hand, but I don't want to buy without sitting in the seat first which means it must be located in Victoria.

Thanks.

[Risking]

If your using it for motorsport the bride is the worst choice.

Buy FIA certified seats only.

I never recommend buying second hand for motorsport. You just don't know the history of the seat, accident damage? Etc etc.

Buy new and have confidence what you've bought is safe

[KezR33]

The Bride is FIA approved I thought.

Good point about second hand seats though, I never considered that.

[Leroy Peterson]

I do like the Velo seats, I found them comfy but havent done any long trips in them.

Done Melb to PI and Melb to Winton in my sparco seat and its fantastic. Bought it 2nd hand but unused from an abandoned build and saved a bit of cash. I think there was an ad on SAU or JDMST of a guy with a brand new sparco Pro2000 seat for $780 + postage.

[blackrex]

I have a red Cobra Suzuka seat for sale, it has been installed in the car and used for one club event (four laps at that, as I split a hose and couldn't run anymore), but I am replacing it due to fitment issues in the car with that seat and the cage. Other than some marks around the mounting holes, it is clean.

$500 picked up from Lilydale in Melb.

[blackrex]

[Sandeep]

I have the podium 2 and I'm a similar size/weight to you. it's pretty comfortable to drive to/from the track and I've also done some longer drives in it (great ocean rd, about 8hrs in the car that day).

[Roy]

If its not comfortable for a long drive then it doesnt fit you . I regularly drive to Sydney from Melb in my Momo seat. I droive to PI on teh weekend and the new Racetech seat is even more comfortable...but isnt as supportive as the Momo seat it replaced

[Duncan]

They might be lighter, and they are probably strong enough....but I hate the way most carbon fibre and fibreglass seats flex, especially in long, high g corners.

I always runs steel frame seats - the ability to check and if necessary repair them, as well as the options for mounting points is important to me. I've seen too many seats or mounts break in big hits.

[Noddy]

I have been playing with seats for a bit over 20 years. Lately I have made a few bead seats for single seat sportcars. I'm thinking about making a bead insert for the seat that has been in my 33 for a quite a few years now. Its an expensive option to add to a new seat, but I agree with Roy, if it isn't comfortable over a long stint, it doesn't or isn't fitted to you or your setup.

Making the bead insert could help with the rigidity issues Duncan mentioned.