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Composite seat mounting
chrisf - 22/2/05 at 02:05 PM

Gents:

I just received my composite seats. I'm having trouble deciding how to mount these things. I have a good example of a non adjustable mount. I'm also interested in an adjustable mount. Does anyone have any pics of these?

Aslo, when using the adjustable sliding mount, do you just bolt these to the ali floor?

--Thanks, Chris


Hellfire - 22/2/05 at 03:11 PM

Yes they do mount direct to the floor - preferably through the braces...

Have a look in our diary FEBRUARY 2004

HTH


DarrenW - 22/2/05 at 03:28 PM

Ive bolted my composite seats straight down to the floor (through the cross braces). Passenger side is fixed. Drivers side will have slotted holes in floor for basic adjustment (albeit awkward and slow) in case me and my father (etc) want to share some track time or road use.

(NB - the cross braces take the primary load, slots as small as possible so as not to compromise strength. Floor is also thick chequerplate with hundreds of fixings to stiffen up further).


Lotusmark2 - 22/2/05 at 07:09 PM

Hellfire
I love the look of your seats, can you get them in fat bloater size??
Cheers
Mark


DarrenW - 23/2/05 at 12:48 PM

Mark,

Id advise sitting in some. I found last year that i couldnt get my shoulders in some - and im not that big (although a bit too portly for my liking - 5'11 and 16.5 stone). Im sure there are some people about who have broader shoulders. The seat area was never a problem - mainly the shoulder supports. I went for the Mac#1 seats mainly cos they were comfortable for me on a demo run. They come with fibreglass inserts that can be trimmed with foam and vinyl for road use as well.

i dont think seats are cheap enough to just wing it and order mail order. They are afterall the main bit that holds you firm. The car could handle like an F1 car but if you cant sit in it........

I liked the MNR, Mk and Mac#1 seats for looks. They are all worth a visit - very very nice people.


chrisf - 23/2/05 at 02:27 PM

Hellfire:

I take it you just used big washers at the top/bottom of the floor. How did the mounts hold up in the accident? Did it tweek or bend the floor at all?

That is my only concern: In the event of an accident, the seat will rip out of the floor. You're the only one I know who's been in an accident, so any help is appreciated.

--Chris


indykid - 24/2/05 at 11:01 AM

even if it does rip out, you arent going to get far with a 4 point harness on

i think the threaded inserts would pull out of the composite before the seat pulled out of the floor.
tom


DarrenW - 24/2/05 at 11:44 AM

My seats dont have threaded inserts. The base is well braced up. It is then drilled through and the biggest washers i could find fitted between bolt head and seat to spread the load.

As indykid says - if you are wearing a 4 point harness you wont move much in the seat so the impact loads will be minimised. i dont think there will be a problem. If the seat does brake you wont go far! (unless a broken shard of glass fibre enters a region that is not preferred!!)


chrisf - 24/2/05 at 02:17 PM

Good points about the seat mounting...

Do either of you guys have any pics? I'm still trying to sort through this in my head. I'll take the advice and hard mount the passanger seat, but would like some mechnism for moving the drivers seat. This all may be a waste of time as my seats are rather small; I may be the only person who can fit in them!

--Chris

[Edited on 24/2/05 by chrisf]