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Author Topic: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat  (Read 11327 times)

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Offline snaponbob

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Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« on: April 06, 2011, 04:37:55 PM »
Of the eight or so hours spent fabbing up everything and mounting a Sparco racing seat, at least two hours were spent head scratching and re-doing some of the work. So, here is some stuff to look at --

First, I weighed things. Here are the seat tracks on the scale, the COMPLETE OEM seat assembly w/tracks weight, and the Sparco seat weight,

[attachment=1]
[attachment=2]
[attachment=3]

Something to be aware of. The Seat belt bolt is a T47, NOT a T50. Also, the seat track nuts are 15mm

[attachment=4]

To remove the tracks, you'll need a 13mm socket.

[attachment=5]

The adapters were fashioned from aluminum that was purchased from a local metal supply/fabrication shop. The track adapters were 2" x 3/16" L channels pieces, while the seat plates were 3/16" sheet aluminum that was bent at the supplier with a metal brake. This is where the head scratching, cutting, drilling, fitting, and RE fitting took place. After a couple trips IN and OUT of the driver's compartment I settled on how the seat would be bolted up, and it looked like this --

[attachment=6]
[attachment=7][attachment=8]

And here is the result, with both OEM seat belt and 3" lap belt installed.
[attachment=9]
[attachment=10]

Not as comfy as the OEM seat, but it will hold me in better. And, after the aluminum and nuts/bolts were added, the weight reduction is about 13-14 pounds.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 05:03:23 PM by snaponbob »
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Offline Critterman

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2011, 06:49:43 PM »
That's like an all summer diet!
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Offline snaponbob

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2011, 07:39:20 PM »
Quote from: Critterman on April 06, 2011, 06:49:43 PM
That's like an all summer diet!

Hell YES it is. Getting in and out of that seat is WORK !!!!! Especially at 61.  :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
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Bob Buxbaum
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Offline boardkat

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2011, 07:42:45 PM »
now go do the other side and lose even more weight! :P
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Offline kennysabarese

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2011, 08:01:42 PM »
Looks great. How is the height difference compared to the stock seat.

It doesn't look as low as my setup.
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Offline snaponbob

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2011, 09:34:40 PM »
Quote from: Kenny on April 06, 2011, 08:01:42 PM
Looks great. How is the height difference compared to the stock seat.

It doesn't look as low as my setup.

Is about the same seat height. I do NOT like driving around feeling like I am in a bath tub. Initially, my helmet was rubbing the cloth in the top. Not a BAD thing, except my season co-driver (an Evo instructor that supplied the seat) would have problems with that, so I dropped it down 1.5", so now it feels like the stock seat, except NOT so ....... ummmm ............ compliant.
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Offline Brazen17

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2011, 10:14:32 AM »
If we rated our seats as a "10" on the comfort scale, where would you rate your new seat?
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Offline elff

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2011, 10:44:18 AM »
Are you moving into the FP class this season?
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Offline snaponbob

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2011, 12:26:35 PM »
Quote from: elff on April 07, 2011, 10:44:18 AM
Are you moving into the FP class this season?

No, staying B/SP. The seat is legal there. Can't F/Prepared without an SCCA legal roll bar, and THAT is NOT happening - PERIOD.
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Offline snaponbob

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2011, 12:30:15 PM »
Quote from: Brazen17 on April 07, 2011, 10:14:32 AM
If we rated our seats as a "10" on the comfort scale, where would you rate your new seat?

Compared to the stock seat (as a 10 - which it is not), no better than a 5 or 6. That said, I raised the front an inch this morning, which was helpful. I found a piece of 2" foam in the shop, threw it on the seat base with a couple inches folded up at the back, and jumped in the seat. Better. Now, about a 6 to 7. Heading out for some errands, so we will have a feel of THAT. Getting in/out is a REAL treat.

NOT !!!!!!!!
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Bob Buxbaum
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2007 Redline, Revalved Konis, Crazy alignment
FE3 front and Z0K rear bars, owner installed pwr lock buttons
catless downpipe, SP custom exhaustWester's tune
racing springs and adjustable perches
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Offline Critterman

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2011, 01:13:58 PM »
situps, squats, deep knee bends, chin ups.   All that just to get in and out of the seat, you don't need any exercise.
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Offline snaponbob

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2011, 03:51:54 PM »
You left out contortion !!!!!

BTW, the extra foam pad + raising the front an inch really helped. Would NOT take a drive across the state in it, but once IN the seat, it is not too bad at all. However, if it was a D.D., it would be a real PITA to live with,
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Bob Buxbaum
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Offline Uranium-238

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2011, 04:29:27 PM »
Well, any seat with spring rates as high as streak's are would be painful in a daily driver.

How does the seat compare to a Kirkey in terms of comfort? Loot like the same sort of idea.
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Offline NormSky

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2011, 05:21:21 PM »
That's one robust seat! Those thigh supports are tall. It'll be much easier in and out with the top down.
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Offline Brazen17

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2011, 06:36:30 PM »
Quote from: snaponbob on April 07, 2011, 12:30:15 PM
Compared to the stock seat (as a 10 - which it is not), no better than a 5 or 6. That said, I raised the front an inch this morning, which was helpful. I found a piece of 2" foam in the shop, threw it on the seat base with a couple inches folded up at the back, and jumped in the seat. Better. Now, about a 6 to 7. Heading out for some errands, so we will have a feel of THAT. Getting in/out is a REAL treat.

NOT !!!!!!!!

Thanks. I realize our seats are not "10's" but it gives a frame of reference!
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Offline kennysabarese

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #15 on: April 07, 2011, 07:45:07 PM »
I drove to the last mod meet in my kirkeys and I was fine. the model i picked is made for endurance racing.

you get a little numb butt from not having as much foam, but it's really not that bad.
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Offline snaponbob

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #16 on: April 07, 2011, 07:46:50 PM »
Easier with the top down, but not much. The combination of the thigh support and steering wheel makes for some interesting gymnastics. As for Kirkey vs. Sparco, they are nearly identical seats. The seat covers are a bit different, but not much. As a race seat, it would be nice, but not as safe as a more developed seat, but for Solo, I am sure it will serve well. Bottom line, it was inexpensive, it's light, and it fit !!! And not many other seats will.
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Bob Buxbaum
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Offline kennysabarese

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #17 on: April 07, 2011, 07:53:44 PM »
Yeah it's good point to say that the style seat that bob has is very different than mine. If you look at the Kirkey website they have seats similar to the one he has that are not as comfortable and much cheaper than what I got. I'm sure Sparco has a range of options as well.
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Offline NormSky

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #18 on: April 07, 2011, 08:05:48 PM »
Bob, pax seat too in the future?
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Offline snaponbob

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #19 on: April 07, 2011, 09:28:36 PM »
Quote from: NormSky on April 07, 2011, 08:05:48 PM
Bob, pax seat too in the future?


No. There was a marginal weight savings of under 20 pounds. Bottom line, (follow the bouncing ball on this!!) if I was SO good that 20 pounds made a difference, I would be good enough that 20 pounds would not matter !!!!!!!!! I would pull the sound system first, and I don't plan on that either !!!  The REAL reason for the seat is to be better secured in the car. If I could wear a point harness, I would not have changed the seat. I once had a 77 Civic that was just blindingly fast for what it was at the time, and might have been competitive at Nats, but I didn't go. It had a rallye style seat and four point harness, and I more WORE the car than I did get IN the car, and the feeling is REALLY different. Just driving around today I have a better feel for/of the car, and I like that. And there is more on the laundry list ---- hehehehehehehe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :devil: :devil: :devil:
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Bob Buxbaum
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2007 Redline, Revalved Konis, Crazy alignment
FE3 front and Z0K rear bars, owner installed pwr lock buttons
catless downpipe, SP custom exhaustWester's tune
racing springs and adjustable perches
DDM ProBeam & Tower brace, CCW 18x11 wheels for racing

Offline Ag_Sky

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #20 on: April 07, 2011, 09:43:53 PM »
Quote from: snaponbob on April 07, 2011, 09:28:36 PM
The REAL reason for the seat is to be better secured in the car. If I could wear a point harness, I would not have changed the seat. I once had a 77 Civic that was just blindingly fast for what it was at the time, and might have been competitive at Nats, but I didn't go. It had a rallye style seat and four point harness, and I more WORE the car than I did get IN the car, and the feeling is REALLY different. Just driving around today I have a better feel for/of the car, and I like that. And there is more on the laundry list ---- hehehehehehehe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :devil: :devil: :devil:

I thought your were suppose to hang on to the steering wheel to keep from getting thrown about?  ;)
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Offline snaponbob

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Re: Streak has a new Sparco aluminum bucket seat
« Reply #21 on: April 07, 2011, 09:48:02 PM »
Quote from: Ag_Sky on April 07, 2011, 09:43:53 PM
I thought your were suppose to hang on to the steering wheel to keep from getting thrown about?  ;)

If you come up to KC Region, I will let you "hang on" to my steering wheel. You WILL appreciate the seat !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Bob Buxbaum
snaponbob AT comcast DOT net
2007 Redline, Revalved Konis, Crazy alignment
FE3 front and Z0K rear bars, owner installed pwr lock buttons
catless downpipe, SP custom exhaustWester's tune
racing springs and adjustable perches
DDM ProBeam & Tower brace, CCW 18x11 wheels for racing
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