Kitcat Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 What racing seats (compatible with 5-6 point harnesses) are out there that will fit a classic sized, DeDion Caterham? I am doing more track days and want to build in as much safety as I can. Toward that end I have added the FIA roll-over bar, purchased a new R3 head & neck restraint system, added a 4 pole battery/alternator cut-off switch, and added the aluminum honey-comb cladding to the fuel tank. I am happy to bolt the seat to one spot and give up the stock seat's sliders. Ideally I'd hike a seat with side head restraints. Ideas, suggestions? I may end up going thru RMSC but everything they sell is 2-3x as much money as what seems reasonable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 duct tape, velcro, a driving suit, and roll bar padding. :ack: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandurath Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Your not to far from Jeg's main store's in Columbus. I imagine they would be more than happy to let you look at what they have. Carry all of Kirkey's seats i think. Call up and see whats in stock, then could see what fit you and your car best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 Good idea. I also drive right by Summit Racing's huge warehouse/store on my way to Nelson's Ledges a couple of times a year. I might stop there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwind25 Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Kitcat, summit racing doesnt have much on display seatwise. (i stop there about once every couple weeks living only 15 minutes away)If you go with a kirkey it's best to go through their website to see whats available. Then you can perhaps pick it up at summit on the way to save shipping. We used a set of kirkey seats in the ginetta and cut down the sides to have a more vintage look. You'll need the most narrow seats they make. And the kirkeys are better than any fiberglass ones we have seen. We would suggest a bit of repadding or take them to your local re-upholster to have them look like you spent what you will spend. when budget permits we will be putting a set of them in. unless i tig up a set ourselves first. say hello next time you drive by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwind25 Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Kitcat, summit racing doesnt have much on display. (i stop there about once every couple weeks living only 15 minutes away)If you go with a kirkey it's best to go through their website to see whats available. Then you can perhaps pick it up at summit on the way to save shipping. We used a set of kirkey seats in the ginetta and cut down the sides to have a more vintage look. You'll need the most narrow seats they make. And the kirkeys are better than any fiberglass ones we have seen. We would suggest a bit of repadding or take them to your local re-upholster to have them look like you spent what you will spend. when budget permits we will be putting a set of them in. unless i tig up a set ourselves first. We repadded our stock birkin's to make them a tad more comfy but they have NO support at all! say hello next time you drive by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eVox Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I am using the Kirkey Pro street drag seats in my locost. They are extremely comfy, but 15" is the widest I can fit in the car (and a perfect fit for me!). Let me know if you want/need any specific dimensions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I've got the Caterham branded Tilletts, but have seen the Kirkeys on a few Sevens and think they'd be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 The Caterham seats are about $1.1K each, the Kirkeys about $250 each. I have downloaded the dimensions of the smallest Kirkeys and will see if they will fit. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Take a look at Ultrashield's web site: www.ultrashieldrace.com Similar to Kirkey seats, and the 15" Spec Miata seat just barely fits my Birkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBH Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Do you happen to know the spacing between the mounting brackets/sliders that you need. I have a set of Recaro Pole Positions that I would be happy to measure to see if they would fit. Caterham seats at $1100 each? They better be carbon fiber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGTorque Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 i just ordered a set of ultrashield pro drag seats. they are nice because they already have a mold form wcm ultralite so they cut 6" off the top so it wont look all tall and goofy. seats and harness 5 point fia with cam lock were $800 shipped for driver and pass including covers!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 Won't know the size til I get the car back from the shop that is trying to resolve my ongoing starter problems. My hunch is the Ultralite has a lot more room for a seat than my Caterham. Maybe the official Caterham seats have the Caterham name on them? That ought to at least double the price:). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerDan Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I'd like to hear some feedback on seats too. I had Kirkey in my GT-3 and they were OK for 30 minute races. I'm not sure if they would do for any extended length of time. I like the looks of the Cobra or Corbeau. My butt isn't that narrow either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBH Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I know Recaro makes the pole position seat in XL (which isn't really as big as the XL suggests) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Was a bit surprised at the stated Caterham seat cost, so took a quick look at RMSCI's site. The $1000+ seats are a carbon/kevlar composite. There is also a fiberglass model for $470. Still not cheap, but not $1000 either. In terms of prices, as near as I can tell the same fiberglass seat is listed on the Caterham UK site for 270 pounds. My experience has been that some things are a bit more, some a bit less than what you might find if you bought direct from Caterham UK. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierats Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 if you are mostly racing, how about a bag seat: here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I have an UlraShield Pro-Drag #12020 (16" ) that I got with my kit. I will probably set it out with the aluminum recycling at some point in the future. It has support wings that come around your sides which are great for lateral support - however they're right where my elbows are in normal driving position - "awkward" does not do justice to how this seat feels when you've got your hands on the steering wheel. I'm 5' 8", 160 lbs, normal proportions. I've heard exactly the same complaint from at least one other Se7ener. Ultrashield's tech support were very helpful on how to bend these wings, but were I able to bend them in enough to get them out of the way of my elbows, I'd not be able to get into the seat. Now in order to be fair, I just looked at their website and the picture they show LOOKS like these wings have been reduced on the current product - perhaps there have been enough complaints that this model has been redesigned. Perhaps the picture doesn't show the wings accurately. Maybe they just don't belong in a Se7en - after all they are called "Pro-Drag", and how much time do drag racers spend enjoying the twisties? Caveat emptor. AMENDED I spoke with Ultrashield today (4-18-08), and as usual the person I spoke with was friendly and helpful. I was correct in interpreting the photo that the latest Pro-Drag seat has reduced wings. The depth of mine are 6" and the latest version is 3". according to the support person. I am fairly certain that the narrower wings would relieve the seat-elbow interference problem and am going to modify mine as follows. For anyone out there with the early seats, the support person said it was OK to cut the wings down to 3" and that they sold the aluminum edging for $2 per foot, and that the edging when welded in place is moderately structural. For those interested, the seat alloy is 5052 which is pretty stiff and not disturbed by welding; the edging is 6061 T6, but can be welded in place without loosing too much strength. I think that modifying the seat cover would be straightforward for an upholstery shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weconway Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Ultrashield also has a product called the Spec Miata seat. It seems to have lower wings than the drag series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I have a set of the Ultra Shield, Spec Miata seats. They fit into my Birkin fine, but tight on the sides. My sides also. These were a drop-in seat once I removed the seat rails for the stock seats. Mine have a plate that matched the front seat adjustment rail holes. There was also a rear bracket that fit under the stock shoulder harness bolts. They have a snap on cover that is Spartan, but functional. My stock Birkin seats sit a little close FWD and high for me. The Ultra shield with the stock mounting brackets fit a little too far aft for me. The other problem is with my aged body is removing myself from them. They will be on loan to another local Birkin owner for some time shortly. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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