SLC Aftermarket Seat Option

[Doc Kaler]

Dave,

Not having my SL-C delivered as yet, from most of the photos you and others have posted it seems one of the most critical dimensions is the shoulder height and "take-off" of the headrest, the angle of the shoulder-to-headrest top and the width at the top of the headrest since these appear to be most influenced by the sloping roofline. I was hoping that the narrow width of the Sportster CS headrest at the top and it's angle from the shoulder would allow a little more height (1.3"?).

 

[Dave Lindemann]

Dave,

Not having my SL-C delivered as yet, from most of the photos you and others have posted it seems one of the most critical dimensions is the shoulder height and "take-off" of the headrest, the angle of the shoulder-to-headrest top and the width at the top of the headrest since these appear to be most influenced by the sloping roofline. I was hoping that the narrow width of the Sportster CS headrest at the top and it's angle from the shoulder would allow a little more height (1.3"?).

Doc -

Anything is possible. It is difficult to tell for sure what will fit without actually positioning the seat in the car. Here are some base dimensions - and these are very basic considering all of the compound curves involved. These are taken at the firewall, perpendicular to the floor on the passenger side (most restrictive).

33.25" to top edge of side window opening.
33.75" to inner door between the window top edge and where the door meets the body.
34.25" to door/body mating line.
33.75" to the roll bar.

I guess part of it depends on if you will maintain the seat in a reclined position. If so, then a taller seat may fit. If you ever want to tilt the seatback forward then I think fitting a taller seat will pose a problem. I could be wrong but I think that any reclining aftermarket seat will have to be modified to get it to fit and to allow it to fully tilt forward. Please note that these measurementrs are taken without the roof liner that is included with the interior package. To my knowledge, no one has received this piece yet.

 

[Dave Lindemann]

Resurrecting this very old thread. My SLC project has been sitting idle because I'm focusing on the rebuild of a modified Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special. The newly upholstered Lotus seats have been sitting on the floor in front of the SLC. On a whim I thought "what the hell - let's see how they look in the SLC!".

Holly crap - they look like they were made for the car! Plenty of clearance everywhere, the incline matches the firewall with the seat sitting flat on the floor, and they are very similar in shape and size to the stock seat. The difference is these are not quite as tight in the hip area and nowhere near as tight in the shoulders. While I've had limited seat time in a Europa and can tell you that the seats are very comfortable and offer good support. Obviously, they aren't racing seats but for a street car these may be just the ticket.

Food for thought.......
Dave L

 

[Doc Kaler]

Those might make a good choice for a streetable SLC....easy entry/exit, etc.

 

[James]

That's funny, My father used to race a Europa waaay back when, and I remember he had a pair of those seats.

 

[Doug]

Maybe a dumb question, but is it unsafe to trim the fiberglass on aftermarket seats?

Obviously, then the covers would have to be tailored, but probably not a big deal. I have some EVO 2s that I suspect could be trimmed to fit and still look good. The shoulder wing and head could easily be cut. Then again, if strength is compromised then no. I haven't looked at the shells without the covers. That would probably reveal the answer.

Those Tillets look like maybe the answer, if the stock ones won't suffice.

Doug

 

[Dave Lindemann]

Here's another possibility - though they would require cutting down the headrest height by about 3". The seats are from a 2005 Lotus Elise, black leather, pneumatic lumbar support.

Max width at the base = 16.75" vs 19" stock
Max width at shoulders = 19.25" vs 22" stock
Max seat cushion height = 3.5" (this is a "cushion") vs 2" (rigid - without upholstery)

I'm thinking the headrest (fiberglass) could be sectioned and re-glassed and the upholstery modified to fit. Note that the Elise seat is slightly reclined in the photos to compensate for the headrest height. Here are some pictures:

Dave L

 

[Ben]

.....

 

[Troy Truglio]

My Lotus seats are not that comfortable at all. I would think that would be just like the stock SLC seats and not a great option for us. Where is Fran's picture of his more street seat setup I thought he was coming out with? I have faith in Fran.

 

[Grant S]

I have been looking real hard for seats that would fit me and I think I have found some from performance world it's there Pro seat and very reasonably priced at $229.00 each. They fit but the passenger side
is just a little tighter then I like so I am having them altered slightly. I will post some pic's when I get them back. Very much like Allan's.
Cheers,

 

[Dave Lindemann]

I have been looking real hard for seats that would fit me and I think I have found some from performance world it's there Pro seat and very reasonably priced at $229.00 each. They fit but the passenger side
is just a little tighter then I like so I am having them altered slightly. I will post some pic's when I get them back. Very much like Allan's.
Cheers,

I've looked at the size chart for these - how do your legs fit between the seat and the bottom of the steering wheel - or are you having the seat cushion shaved? It looks like the cushion height is 6" at the front? The width looks perfect at 19" and the height looks pretty good at 34" though I could see the width of the headrest causing some issues on the passenger's side. What are your impressions of the quality of the seat? They are definitely a bargain at that price. I'm sure the price for Recaro seats is partly due to the name - but the quality is also very high.

What alterations are you having done? Please post some pictures and give your impressions when you get them back.

Regards,
Dave L

 

[Dave Lindemann]

Another seat eliminated - Lotus Esprit seats (S1, S2, Turbo, SE, V8 - they all use the same basic frame). A friend was kind enough to let me trial fit his SE and V8 seats - it didn't take long to figure out they won't fit - the seat base is too long and the upper part of the seat is too wide. The search continues.....

Dave L

 

[Dave Lindemann]

Seat rails - I've observed a number of posts on other threads relating to seats regarding seat rails. IMO, the seats should be mounted directly to the floor. There is not enough room on the driver's side to move the seat forward without getting too close to the steering wheel and there is no need to move the seat forward on the passenger side. Driver / pedal orientation should be achieved by moving the pedals - not the seat. The other issue is seat height - you need all you can get and seat rails take away from it.

Just my .02

Dave L

 

[Troy Truglio]

What happened to the Corbaue A4 modified for the slc? I can not find that thread but price and all it could work.

 

[Allan]

The Bride Stradia seats fit in the SL-C very well. It's how you would fit in the Bride seat that's the issue. They are very tight in the shoulder/rib area, perfect for aggresive track driving but not comfortable getting into and out of. They look great and fit the car's style but it's whether you'd be comfortable in them or not.
2 BRIDE STRADIA VERSION II LOW MAX BLACK RACING SEATS | eBay

The Cipher Racing seats also fit in the SL-C. Plenty of room in the shoulder/rib and leg area. Problem is they have too much padding in the seat bottom and back so although the seat itself fits nicely I'd say if you're over 5'9 the padding will place your head up too high.
CPA1019 Black Cloth w/ Outer Grey Stitching Cipher Auto Racing Seats - Pair [CPA1019FBK-G] - $399.00 : Cipher Auto!, Automotive Parts Accessories & Universal Racing Seats

 

[Troy Truglio]

Now that cipher seat is something that I can see in my SLC. Now we are talking. I have been wIting for the day when being short would work put well. 5-6. Yahoo for me, finally, so there tall people, which is almost everyone to me.

Can anyone confirm they will fit in the pass side?

 

[Troy Truglio]

Oh wow. Only 399 for a pair. Now we are talking.

 

[Dave Lindemann]

I'll be trying one of these < Bucket Seats | NRG Innovations > this weekend. They also have reclining seats with similar dimensions. I'll be trying the racing seat for fit, finish and comfort.....

Dave L

 

[Allan]

Now that cipher seat is something that I can see in my SLC. Now we are talking. I have been wIting for the day when being short would work put well. 5-6. Yahoo for me, finally, so there tall people, which is almost everyone to me.

Can anyone confirm they will fit in the pass side?

I have the Cipher seats in my SL-C right now. They come close to the door on the pass. side but fit nicely. The seat backs are adjustable and will move through the range without touching.

 

[Troy Truglio]

Allan, that is good to here and know. Are they comfortable? Theses are my planned seats now.

edit- Allan, how did you mount yours? Did you have to buy a mount, make your own or just bolt it to the floor yourself. Pics?