Opinions on seats Options

[Smitty2919]

Looking at Corbeau Forza, Forza Sport and F1X Pro. They all look pretty similar to me and without being able to sit in all o them the decision is kind of tricky. I've heard overall good things about the Forza.


Anyone running either of these? They are going in a 95 Camaro for Autocross but is also a DD that sees the occasional 2hr one way trip to the in-laws house in Columbus OH from Cincy Oh. Everything else is around town driving. Will be making my own seat brackets.


Thanks guys!

[CrashTestDummy]

We got a Forza with our 95 Z28. It used the stock Corbeau mounts. I find the seat to be very comfortable, if the layback is set right. The factory mount sets it too upright for my liking, so you always felt like you were about to fall out of the seat. I tried adding some spacers to lean it back a bit, but that put too much flex in the mount, so sometimes when you mashed on the clutch, you'd end up sliding back to the back seats.

I located some factory seats with cut outs for shoulder harnesses and installed those for our autocross fun, what little we do with that car. The Forza is sitting in a corner of the shop waiting for me to fab up a mount for it to the factory power seat mounts for our 96 SS that I DD. Haven't quite made it to that project yet, although I do have all the parts to do it, I believe.

I never made long trips with the seat, but don't see why it would be a problem. Getting in and out of a high-bolster seat can get old, to some, though, and it's something to consider. I'm also not very big, and I can see where some who are a bit heavier might find some discomfort on long trips. Once I got it laid back about 10-deg, though, I found it very nice.

[Smitty2919]

Awesome, thanks a lot. I figure it will be alot of trial and error to get the seat position right. I'll make some bolt on "tabs" that position the seat depending on how the seat mounting points are. Have the ability to swap tabs which give you a certain seat angle. Then once I find the angle I like I will fully weld everything.

Could you take some pictures of where/how the Forza mounts to a bracket? I see some seats are "side mount" and some are "bottom mount". Thanks!

[CrashTestDummy]

I'll double-check, but IIRC, the bracket we have just bolts to the side of the seat at the bottom. Two bolts at each end on each side near the corners. I don't know if the holes were pre-drilled, or the PO drilled them, though.

[Blainefab]

IMO, the tube frame seats are akin to lawn chairs. They will not pass NASA race tech. I recommend a fiberglass shell seat.

[Smitty2919]

I'll double-check, but IIRC, the bracket we have just bolts to the side of the seat at the bottom. Two bolts at each end on each side near the corners. I don't know if the holes were pre-drilled, or the PO drilled them, though.

Thanks

IMO, the tube frame seats are akin to lawn chairs. They will not pass NASA race tech. I recommend a fiberglass shell seat.

It seems you are big into Road Racing...being that I will only see local/regional autocross, do you think there will be issues? Next step is a 4pt harness using OEM lower lap belt points then to find mount points for shoulder straps. I have heard that there are no shoulder strap angle regulations for simple autocross like there are for road racing. Local autocross member mentioned removing the rear seat and using OEM rear seatbelt lower mount points. I WAS going to look into making a Gen4Racing style harness bar.

A friend of mine highly recommended the Forza that he runs in the same autocross events in his C5 and 02 Camaro.

[BumpaD_Z28]

I love CORBEAU 's ... And they are local to me

Last weekend I ran 1157 miles in the drivers seat in 3 days, with the 90 mile NORC open road race in the middle (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

YRMV

~DaVe

[Smitty2919]

What seat did you use?

[Blainefab]

IMO, the tube frame seats are akin to lawn chairs. They will not pass NASA race tech. I recommend a fiberglass shell seat.

being that I will only see local/regional autocross, do you think there will be issues? Next step is a 4pt harness using OEM lower lap belt points then to find mount points for shoulder straps. I have heard that there are no shoulder strap angle regulations for simple autocross like there are for road racing. Local autocross member mentioned removing the rear seat and using OEM rear seatbelt lower mount points. I WAS going to look into making a Gen4Racing style harness bar.

That will be up to your local tech staff, I doubt that they would care for autox, but you might check with them. The harness angles are important in a crash. While autox crashes do happen they are not common. If you drive it on the street with wrong harness angles you'll be at risk. If the OEM 3pt works with the seat you may keep them in place for street use.

[Smitty2919]

Depending on how well the seat works by itself, I may not go to a 4 pt harness and only use the OEM belt. I've been paying attention to HOW I move in the seat and it's less in the hips and more in the upper back area which is directly ties to steering inputs.

[dailydriver]

Depending on where one is located, the local gendarmes might just bust you for using a full 4-6 point harnesses on the street, regardless of them being mounted at the correct angles to pass tech and prevent spinal injuries in a crash or not.

Having them mounted correctly to a full cage crossbar, or even a harness bar will likely get you pulled over that much quicker, again, depending on the locale. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This post has been edited by dailydriver: May 24 2014, 07:25 AM

[Smitty2919]

Well the game plan is that I will have the OEM belt and harness at the same time to where I can use either. But I won't know until I get the seat in and see what I'm dealing with.

[roostmeyer]

Another option:

http://www.soloperformance.com/CG-LOCK_p_83.html

I really liked it on my Miata, but I'm not sure how well they would work with the double seat belt reels on an f-body.

[BumpaD_Z28]

What seat did you use?

TRS 's : http://www.corbeau.com/products/reclining_seats/trs/

I have the CR1's in my 3rd gen: http://www.corbeau.com/products/reclining_seats/cr1/

~DaVe

[dailydriver]

IMO, the tube frame seats are akin to lawn chairs. They will not pass NASA race tech. I recommend a fiberglass shell seat.

Not even the FIA approved/homologated one piece/non-reclining versions??

This post has been edited by dailydriver: May 25 2014, 11:32 PM

[Blainefab]

IMO, the tube frame seats are akin to lawn chairs. They will not pass NASA race tech. I recommend a fiberglass shell seat.

Not even the FIA approved/homologated one piece/non-reclining versions??

If you can find one that has not been removed from the FIA list, look closely at how the mounting points are attached to the frame.

[Rampant]

I have the CR1s in my car.

I like the seats and I am a big guy. It is a tight fit, but I am comfortable.

I did modify the drivers seat rear mounts to lower it an additional 1". I found as supplied it was to tall for my 6' 1" frame with a helmet. Helmet touche the T Roof.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=6FAE0...nt=photo%2c.jpg

[Smitty2919]

Rampant: what harness bar are you running? Or is it part of your cage?

Well I picked up a Corbeau Forza...I THOUGHT I would be slick and mount it to the factory power seat bracket by fabricating an adapter mount. It took a 15min drive around to constantly mess with the position only to have it not work. If I got a position where I can push the clutch comfortably, I felt like my elbows would hit my legs while turning and I was too close to the wheel.

SOOOO I came to realize that even though I have adjustability, the seat is too high when the front/rear tilt is all the way down. I may throw in the towel and buy a Corbeau slider then figure out a way to gain "tilting ability" using spacers/washers under the 2 front seat to slider mount points.

This post has been edited by Smitty2919: May 29 2014, 02:39 PM

[79T/A]

Can you use side mount brackets on that seat? That's what I used to lay the seat back. Made it a million times more comfortable, otherwise it felt like the seat was leaning me forward. I have a sparco pro2000 mounted with the sparco side mount brackets and a wedge engineering floor bracket. I'm 5'10" and have plenty of room with my helmet on, and I have the ability to lower the seat more with the side mounts. I also have a slider to sandwich in between the mounts but so far I don't see the need for a slider since my car isn't a DD.

[Rampant]

Rampant: what harness bar are you running? Or is it part of your cage?

Well I picked up a Corbeau Forza...I THOUGHT I would be slick and mount it to the factory power seat bracket by fabricating an adapter mount. It took a 15min drive around to constantly mess with the position only to have it not work. If I got a position where I can push the clutch comfortably, I felt like my elbows would hit my legs while turning and I was too close to the wheel.

SOOOO I came to realize that even though I have adjustability, the seat is too high when the front/rear tilt is all the way down. I may throw in the towel and buy a Corbeau slider then figure out a way to gain "tilting ability" using spacers/washers under the 2 front seat to slider mount points.

I have a Wolfe 6 point Chrome Moly in the car and use it for the harnesses. The door bars are removable, and not installed in the picture. I got the boot from the local track back in 2005. It was only running 11.0s, but trapping 129mph. So for 2006 I needed the roll bar.

This post has been edited by Rampant: May 29 2014, 08:49 PM

[Smitty2919]

Can you use side mount brackets on that seat? That's what I used to lay the seat back. Made it a million times more comfortable, otherwise it felt like the seat was leaning me forward. I have a sparco pro2000 mounted with the sparco side mount brackets and a wedge engineering floor bracket. I'm 5'10" and have plenty of room with my helmet on, and I have the ability to lower the seat more with the side mounts. I also have a slider to sandwich in between the mounts but so far I don't see the need for a slider since my car isn't a DD.

I don't believe this can accept side mounts...at least not in factory form lol. Can always make it into a side mount system with a little fabrication. I talked with a guy at work and cooked up another mount system. To be continued.

[Smitty2919]

Well just updating this. I went with the Forza Sport and ordered the dual locking slider with their mount. With some strategic placement/removal of washers I got a slight recline to the seat to make it more comfortable.

(IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/10349017_774175850253_7106357783891731468_n.jpg)

Added washers in the front:
(IMG:https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10403453_774456477873_2753041195023634423_n.jpg)

Removed washers between the slider and bracket in the rear:
(IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10419400_774456487853_6804701968740842_n.jpg)

This post has been edited by Smitty2919: Jun 16 2014, 07:32 PM

[Blainefab]

The shoulder belt routed thru the seat hole may inhibit proper operation of the retractor/tensioner mechanism. It has a mechanical inertial grabber that depends on getting a quick sharp tug on the harness if it needs to grab - like in a wreck. It works best if there is a direct path from the occupants shoulder to the reel mechanism in the roof. Sit in the seat, buckle the belt and give it a sharp tug at you belly - if it doesn't grab, try re-routing the belt outside of the seat.

The Corbeau seat brackets have design flaws - the flat tabs put a bending load on the butt welds. The weld zone is more brittle than the unaffected areas so they will crack, right next to the weld. It may be a fine weld, but in the wrong place. Inspect the spots I've indicated with red arrows periodically, if they crack you can fix by welding gusset plates, indicated in blue, oriented vertically spanning the old weld zone.

(IMG:http://blainefab.com/projects/corbmnt1.jpg)

(IMG:http://blainefab.com/projects/corbmnt2.jpg)

[Smitty2919]

Thanks for the input Alan. I nevertried the belt trick. I did it that way since there is no seat belt "hoop" on the outside of the seat to keep it from riding up the side of my face lol.
I will keep an eye on the welds on the bracket. It will be no issue to weld gusstes if they become an issue. If I bad access to the mount I would have made my own with improvements but having the car a DD I didn't have time to fabricate one. The bracket is quite simple being just flat stock lol.

[dailydriver]

Supposedly, the Forza Sport is now FIA "approved" (as is their Pro Series, and Sprint).

Whether or not this means they are FIA homologated or not, I do not know (I did not check the FIA list). (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/gr_confused.gif)

[Blainefab]

Supposedly, the Forza Sport is now FIA "approved" (as is their Pro Series, and Sprint).

Whether or not this means they are FIA homologated or not, I do not know (I did not check the FIA list). (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/gr_confused.gif)

The list is here: http://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/reg...ed_seats_16.pdf The Corbeau's have been on and off, maybe back on, the list. See p18, where it was withdrawn.

Smitty, does your seat have a FIA label? It would look like this:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=fia+se...electedIndex=23

with a hologram, homologation number and date of mfr. ? If yes, what are the numbers?

[Smitty2919]

I don't think it has that tag. I remember asking whats the reason for the price difference between the Forza and Forza sport. He showed me the FIA tag on the Sport and that it was a "shell" seat. Apparently the Forza is just a skeleton frame seat?

I'm only running local autocross and nothing very strict so a lot of what you big time road racers look for may be above what I need.

[CrashTestDummy]

The mount does look differently than the ones we had with our 95 Z28. In order to get a more comfortable seating inclination, I used spacers on the front mounts. That caused the bracket mounts to be not properly-aligned, causing a slight bending force on the mounting bracket. This caused the adjuster to not be properly-placed to lock into place every time. Sometimes, you'd have your foot on the clutch, then >BOOM<, you'd be unable to reach the pedals of wheel because the seat slid all the way back.

Make sure the rack lock engages in the teeth of the adjuster all along the length of the rack so you don't enjoy this surprise like we did. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

[Smitty2919]

The mount does look differently than the ones we had with our 95 Z28. In order to get a more comfortable seating inclination, I used spacers on the front mounts. That caused the bracket mounts to be not properly-aligned, causing a slight bending force on the mounting bracket. This caused the adjuster to not be properly-placed to lock into place every time. Sometimes, you'd have your foot on the clutch, then >BOOM<, you'd be unable to reach the pedals of wheel because the seat slid all the way back.

Make sure the rack lock engages in the teeth of the adjuster all along the length of the rack so you don't enjoy this surprise like we did. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

Yup...already been there and done that! I put a piece of tape on the center console that lines up with the front of the seat. That way I know where I need it to be roughly and wait for it to click in. No clicky, no starty the car. That way I don't get that lovely surprise when driving etc.

Well, Alan once again hit the nail on the head with the factory seatbelt not wanting to "lock" during an abrupt pull on the belt....in fact I can't get it to lock at ANY angle. I reached behind me and tugged down, up straight forward and nothing lol. Maybe I will test it hitting the brakes AND pulling to get the pendulum to swing.