Seats...specifically the mounts...

[titan]

Righto, whats the "done thing" in terms of seat mounts if you want to retain sliders ?

I'll be fitting a pair of buckets for harnesses and as there'll be some others driving my car I need to retain adjustability so no bolting the sidemounts down direct.

Ideally the seat should sit as low as possible.

Enlighten me

[shimmy]

VAC transition mounts with recaro sliders.

Jay has milled some replica VAC mounts at half the price if you want to give them a go.

[_Nathan_]

Yep, VAC mounts or Jay's replicas, recaro sliders and side mounts.

[titan]

Ah this'll be the same Jay on Northloop who was posting up pics of his replicas and very fine they look too.

"Recaro Sliders" - can you bee a bit more specific ? As Recaro make some sliders for specific models, or you can get generic stuff.

We talking about these:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorsport/Seats_&_Accessories/Seat_Mounting_Frames/Recaro_Double_Locking_Runners/1763/0/15764

Side mounts - ah man I've been badly own3d on seats and side mounts in the past, in the evo I went through three sets of runners before finding something that worked and fitted. Some sidemounts are made specific for the seat width, you'd think people would work to standards.....

[_Nathan_]

Recaro are quite specific about which mounts to buy from memory.

They are the runners I have in my car.

[titan]

Recaro are quite specific about which mounts to buy from memory.

They are the runners I have in my car.

yes indeed, I did end up with some sidemounts for a recaro XL seat which don't fit the standard sized seats. Neither fitted the sparco seats.

The runners good? Smooth action and lock firmly in place ?

[_Nathan_]

Runners are fine, dunno about smooth, not really analyzed to that degree but they seem ok, lock just fine and pass scrutineering OK.

[KingM3]

I have Recaro seats, mounts and runners in my M3.

Purchased a few years ago from

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/products/index.php?cPath=1329_1637_1341_1372_1674

Never had any problem's with the runners, always lock firmly.

[shimmy]

Side mounts are specific to seats but runner from recaro I believe is generic. Check their wdbsite for PDF brochure and full details.

Alternatvely have a word with Jay about side mounts as he could make them it buy VAC ones if any cheaper.

[karbonkid]

Yep Recaro side mounts are specific for the their shell type. For example Pole Position shells come in ABE or FIA form. Even both PP have different side mounts, so wont fit one another. ABE seats were designed for German road use and FIA for racing. ABE come with a choice of aluminum or steel, where as FIA only offer the steel side mounts to fit correctly. The SPG XL also offers a choice of aluminum or steel. Recaro sliders will be generic for the shells.

[titan]

TMS rang me back with some info today, whilst on phone I had a quick chat to JT. His approach is recaro seat, recaro sidemount, BMW mount/sliders, same as what KingM3 is proposing.

I can well see the point of the VAC mounts if you wanted to mount a seat/sidemount straight onto the "floor", but if you want sliders, companies make up seat mounts with sliders that use OEM bolt holes.

For example, Sparco do these for an E46:

http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_acc.asp?id=537

you then chuck on a track set (or not) and your sidemounts/seats.

Only downside I know of is that sometimes the seat ends up a bit higher than you'd like.

[daniel_csl]

I don't think you can use the bmw mounts?

[shimmy]

I'm surprised John is using that type of seat base mount after his episode at Silverstone. It doesn't look up to much!! I wouldn't fancy being in a crash with one if those thin things

And I think if you read KingM3 post again he says quite clearly TMS fitted recaro runners on his and he doesn't mention the base mount.

[titan]

pffffff who knows eh.

What I do know is to take the advice of someone who's done it himself and doesn't have a vested interest in selling products ;-)

So, back onto the idea of Jays "VAC" mounts, sliders and side mounts....do the seats sit nice and low or a bit high ?

I don't really care whether I pay out for Jays mounts or some expensive recaro/sparco base because in the big scheme of things these costs are minimal. But I *do* want something that will work without hassle and not end up creaking under braking cornering like one of the setups I trialled and binned.

[shimmy]

I don't really care whether I pay out for Jays mounts or some expensive recaro/sparco base because in the big scheme of things these costs are minimal. But I *do* want something that will work without hassle and not end up creaking under braking cornering like one of the setups I trialled and binned.

my drivers seat is Recaro XPG with Recaor side mounts and Recaro runner and VAC extended base mounts. No creaking!

i ran without the runners for about 8 months and it was really low, even i at 6'3" felt and looked like Hazy in the car:thumbs:. eventually fitted the runner as i couldnt leave it at the garage as they had nobody tal enough to reach the pedals

If i was doing it again id do the same but maybe save some money and get Jay to do the base mounts