opus Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Hi, I plan on doing some HPDE this year. I don't ever plan on actual racing, but do like something that would provide some safety. Questions: Aside from price, what are the pros and cons of a seat with high side containment like this... http://www.subesports.com/products/cat/Seats/brand/Cobra/prodID/1734 versus one like this... http://www.subesports.com/products/cat/Seats/brand/Sparco/prodID/1348 Also, should I get one with HANS compatibility or one without? Should I get the lower price seat now and upgrade in the future or is it worth it to go all out now rather than later? Let me hear your thoughts. BTW, the car is a 1996 Mazda Miata. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonycook Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I don't ever plan on actual racing Heard that before I'd stay away from the second seat--tubular steel construction is not a real race seat. It's easier and cheaper to do it right the first time. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UHSAE Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Tony, Could you explain why tubular frames are poor choices? I'm not arguing with you here, I'd just like to understand. Phillip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside180sx Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Tubular is typically not recommended because they do more damage to your body in an accident since most of the forces are places on a more focused place. I know I daily drove a Sparco Speed for about a week, which fit me at the butt/waist but was too tight up top. I wound up with deep bruises just from my daily commute (30 minute drive each way) The easiest way to explain it though is basically the difference between being hit with a stick vs. an open hand. The fiberglass/carbon composite seat allows the impact to be spread over your whole body rather than the locations where the tubes run on the seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UHSAE Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Ahh, I see. As far as strength is concerned are they comparable? I would think someone's body would break long before the seat, but what about other forces? Are there any hybrid types? Like, planar frames reinforced by a tubular frame? Sorry, but I have very little experience with racing seats. -Phillip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus Posted February 16, 2008 Author Share Posted February 16, 2008 Does anyone have the Cobra Sebring seats on their Miata? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonycook Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Probably the side containment seats are going to be the seat to have. I don't have one. I use the Sparco Pro2000. I drove my car to the local (3 hour one way) race shop and chose my seat. Sit in the seat to see if it fits you then put it in the car to see if it fits. Not a perfect system, but it worked for me. I had the interior out of the car and it was easy to take the existing seat out and trial fit the race seat. Call your supplier and see what seats they have in stock and what they recommend. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driver Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Has anyone used the Sparco Pista? I can get a pair for $200, that's damn tempting but I don.t want my butt in an uncomfortable seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scott G. Posted February 19, 2008 Members Share Posted February 19, 2008 I have a pair of black leather Corbeau sport seats that need to get sold. They are that are perfect for a DE oriented Miata because the seats are relatively narrow. They pivot forward for access to the rear, which is the beauty of non-race seats. I agree that race seats are better on the track, but most DE cars are primarily street cars so rigid and deep race seats are unworkable. The seats have shoulder and anti-sub holes for a 5 or 6pt harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rook Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Ya know, it'd be awesome if somebody got punchy and posted a thread about choosing the right seat. Perhaps...even a list of seats that mount easily into say...I dunno, a '95 Mustang GT maybe? I'm in the same seat-decision boat. I'd already made the cheap-route mistake with my last car and I intend on not having a repeat of that. Having said that, it's a daily driven car and I'm not a small man. Nor do I have $800 to blow on a seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LateApexEM2 Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Rook what was the cheap seat you bought that was a mistake?? Is the mustang a DE car or a future CMC car?? and no offense but how big are we talking? Its kind pricy but the sparco evo is a very nice seat and comes in a varity of sizes. Also the corbeau FX1 is a nice seat for budget shopper but it is not FIA approved so not great for racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rook Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 The mistake seat was the Summit Racing seat. Sure it was pretty comfortable (couple trips up to NYC from NC say yes), and it was fairly supportive....but the build quality was lacking, and mounting it was a carpet hacking nightmare. The Mustang will always be daily driven so primarily it's a DE car, but I do have intentions of a 5-point harness and roll bar, if not cage, as I intend to do away with the airbag-equipped steering wheel. Furthest I'd probably take it, as far as competition would be Time Trials and Open Road Races. Maybe even Targa Newfoundland one day. Who ever really knows? I'm not "huge", but at just over 6 feet and 210-230 pounds I'm very much not tiny. 36"ish waist but my hips do come out a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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