'14 AGM 1SS/1LE Track build [COTW 11/17/14]

[edster8912]

Your car looks good, great build.

[STONE SS]

Originally Posted by X25

Thanks, glad to be of help! I put the seat on sale, and one of the members pointed out that the powered version of Recaro seat sits lower, similar to the regular SS seat. It's even more expensive, but is an option afterall.

Great build thread and full of great info! I'm surprised the power seats would sit lower than manual given the added parts to make it power. Definitely wouldn't have guessed that. I really like those seats and would've considered them, but given that I am 6'3" doesn't sound like that would work.

[X25]

Originally Posted by STONE SS

Great build thread and full of great info! I'm surprised the power seats would sit lower than manual given the added parts to make it power. Definitely wouldn't have guessed that. I really like those seats and would've considered them, but given that I am 6'3" doesn't sound like that would work.

I was not only surprised, I was SHOCKED! Well, both literally, and monetarily.

Anyways, I decided to return the seat back to the dealer at a significant loss and get the power unit instead. If it sits higher as well, I am really screwed, but considering the benefits of having a crash-tested set-up and retaining the airbags, I think it's worth giving a shot.

Needless to say, I will measure the headroom clearance. The 1SS passenger seat has almost 37" room from the bottom to the ceiling when it is pushed rearmost and lowest position. The manual Recaros had about 36", so it's 1" loss. I don't think this is happening on Z/28s (or we would have reports of upset customers), or on SS Camaros that come with the Recaro seats. The parts guy checked a Z/28, and he said he measured 37".

The Recaro powered seat with SS logo seems to be the exact seat we get if you order the car with Recaro seats. For this reason, I believe this seat will work just fine and give me back my 37" headroom. This is also supported by those who installed this power seat. We shall see!

Manual Recaro seats set to highest (at which point headrest touches the ceiling)


Seat belt adds to the height with its tab.


Position sensor (we'd probably need it, too, to fool airbag system)


The lever/door side:

[Dropspeed]

Originally Posted by ForcFed93

Awesome. I'd be interested (I'm sure others too) if you get a chance to compare the two when you remove it.

The 1SS stock seat and the Z/28 Recaro weigh exactly the same.

I believe it was 55.4lbs.....I have it listed in my build thread in the sig.

[L99CAMA2011]

Originally Posted by Dropspeed

The 1SS stock seat and the Z/28 Recaro weigh exactly the same.

I believe it was 55.4lbs.....I have it listed in my build thread in the sig.

Is this 55.4 lbs each?

[X25]

Originally Posted by L99CAMA2011

Is this 55.4 lbs each?

Keep in mind, race seats won't be much lighter. The race seat itself is usually light, but the bracket, side mount, and slider (if you have it) are all separate bulky pieces, and the weight adds up very quickly. I'm sure a one piece bracket/mount could be much lighter, but no one besides car manufacturers do that way since they'd have to come up with a design for every car, not to mention the adjustability required if you skip the sliders.

[L99CAMA2011]

Originally Posted by X25

Keep in mind, race seats won't be much lighter. The race seat itself is usually light, but the bracket, side mount, and slider (if you have it) are all separate bulky pieces, and the weight adds up very quickly. I'm sure a one piece bracket/mount could be much lighter, but no one besides car manufacturers do that way since they'd have to come up with a design for every car, not to mention the adjustability required if you skip the sliders.

I am very familiar with race seats. Still would be 20lbs lighter each side with sliders.

[X25]

Originally Posted by L99CAMA2011

I am very familiar with race seats. Still would be 20lbs lighter each side with sliders.

In my case (Miata), once harness is included as well, it was actually heavier. Granted, Miata seats are much lighter to start with, though.

[L99CAMA2011]

Originally Posted by X25

In my case (Miata), once harness is included as well, it was actually heavier. Granted, Miata seats are much lighter to start with, though.

Yeah in that case that would be the result. The seat I had in my old E30 with brackets was around 35lbs total. The older MOMO seats that are out of safety date were actually like 8lbs each seat only but not meeting current safety standards.

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by L99CAMA2011

Yeah in that case that would be the result. The seat I had in my old E30 with brackets was around 35lbs total. The older MOMO seats that are out of safety date were actually like 8lbs each seat only but not meeting current safety standards.

Wow, you brought me back memories, circa 1995, at Tremblent with my stroked/FI E30 racer, the horid weight of those squeaky leather Recaro's, but more to my flash back point, this dude who had a trick way of shaving under the seat sliders (I think), in order to gain a few mm, without (ahem) compromising safety he claimed, and thus no one ever complained about head space with helmet on again .

[Drm2Reality]

....so if I read thru the thread correctly...you are 5'10'' and the non powered seat did not provide ample room with a helmet?

I am 5'11'' and based on my findings so far...there are more 1le options around without recaros...but if that is the case that may not be an option. In my head I was budgeting $3k for seats...but $5k...not so much!

[X25]

Originally Posted by Drm2Reality

....so if I read thru the thread correctly...you are 5'10'' and the non powered seat did not provide ample room with a helmet?

I am 5'11'' and based on my findings so far...there are more 1le options around without recaros...but if that is the case that may not be an option. In my head I was budgeting $3k for seats...but $5k...not so much!

The seats that come with SS cars with Recaro option might have more headroom. The owners with the Recaro option report no shortage of headroom. Based on this, I decided to give powered seats a chance, so I ordered the exact seats we get with SS cars when ordered with Recaro option; powered with SS logo. I am very hopeful this seat will do the trick. Otherwise, I'll eventually move on to full race seat, or just stick with stock SS seat, which provides sufficient headroom.

[Dropspeed]

Originally Posted by Drm2Reality

....so if I read thru the thread correctly...you are 5'10'' and the non powered seat did not provide ample room with a helmet?

I am 5'11'' and based on my findings so far...there are more 1le options around without recaros...but if that is the case that may not be an option. In my head I was budgeting $3k for seats...but $5k...not so much!

So I was just informed by the doctor I am 5'9", not 5'10" as I have claimed for 20+ years! Either way I have the Z/28 manual Recaro, no sunroof and I fit in the car with a helmet on. Now I must duck my head to get in and out more than any other car beside a Lotus Elise.

Yes, 55.4lbs each.....but I will take the 20lbs extra to have airbags in them.

[Burt]

I was hoping I could get away with getting the non-power/heated seat, but since I'm 6'2", and my helmet rubs the headliner as it is, I guess I'll have to go with the nicer one.