Miata ST-class Seats

[6PAK72]

OK, greater wisdom:

We ran our Miata at WGI last week with the factory seats and 3-points. Lotta fun, painful back from trying to keep me in the seat. I learned that already with the TR....

Any input on how a Corbeau A4 would fit? I'm long legs and tall, and the adjustable back helps a lot - I got stuck in Wasilko's passenger seat....

Also, someone at WGI was pretty hyped about Konig RacingBuzz seats. These are fixed, FIA listed, but seem to require a lot of drilling to mount in the Miata.

Thanks!

[breakaway500]

The Ultra-Shield Spec racer Miata seats are the perfect seat in my opinion. Light,comfy with tons of support and super-easy to install in a Miata.And,inexpensive,at under $400,shipped.(saferacer.com) I like them so much I have one in my off road buggy and in the Focus. I am even considering one for the Atom. I use the 17" size,and it fits well in the Miata.

[paultg]

Not sure how up to date this is; but it is a good resource when considering a seat change in a miata:
http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/seats.asp

[Grippy]

I think the ultrashield road race seat is MUCH more comfortable than the spec miata seat. It has a longer bottom for more thigh support but just as easy to mount. You can put it on stock sliders or mont to floor to get lower.
I put Corbeau FX1 Pro seats in my new car, Forza ia also pretty good and fairly cheap, both should fit.

I would stay away from a reclining seat, they are not as strong. I have had A4's in my red Miata, they barely fit (the shoulder wings hit the door) and were not as comfortable as I expected and I removed them.

[6PAK72]

Gordon, thanks for the first-person on the A type.

Paul, fantastic resource, thank you!

Grippy, where did you get those seats?

[Dave_G]

I'll second Gordon's advice on the Ultra Shield Pro Road Race seat. That's what I have in mine. The only caution I would add is that while it may be more comfortable than the Spec Miata seat, that's different from saying it's comfortable, period, full stop. I drove 7 hours to Mosport in mine and thought I was going to die. For an hour or so at a time on the track, though, it's great. As with any aluminum seat, it needs a back brace. I have two. One I bought used off of miata.net and the other I got from driversupply.com.

Before getting a seat, though, I highly recommend trying out as many as you can. Seats can be a personal thing. At the next COM event, spend some time walking around the paddock and ask people to sit in their seats to see how well you like them. That's what I did that led me to get the Ultra Shield. It was great to see how different seats feel.

[Grippy]

Where did I get which seats?

[6PAK72]

I've been trolling for the Ultrashield seat on the web - can't seem to find it. Ay source ideas?

Dave - thanks for the input about your Mosport trip.

At least for now, our plan is to keep the car relatively pain-free streetable, but who knows, it might end up somewhere else!

[6PAK72]

One of the problems we're having is that we need to lower the seat bottom.

Anyone have input on dropping the seat around 3" and still keep it front-back adjustable? Liz is 5" shorter than I am and needs the seat closer. I need the roll bar clearance.

Thanks again!

[paultg]

I think you can find the ultrashields on www.saferacer.com
I had Corbuea Forza seats on corbuea sliders in my 1992 miata. I drove it on the street alot, it was a pita with the harnesses. You couldn't use the stock belt easily because the belt hard to go over the seat (instead of through) to clip in. Also, "fit" is a realative term. I used a large hammer on my trans tunnel because I need the seat so far forward.

Dave G had a good setup and swaps the seat in/out when events come up. If you drive it on the street alot that is what I would do. I'd also suggest you mount it like he did (to the floor) for maximum clearance, but do two sets of holes so you can move it for both you and your wife. It's only 4 bolts. Dave has pictures of the install, maybe he'll share!

or, buy another miata for your wife to race!

Paul G.

[jeffw]

I've got both an Ultrashield Road Race Halo and a Spec Miata seat, so you can try them both out next time you see me.

I really like the Road Race. I've spent 9 hours in the car on the way to NJMP, and about that to Tremblant (stupid traffic).

I bought mine from Vick Racing. They almost always have them in stock (I hear SafeRacer tends to not stock them). http://www.vickracing.us/

[breakaway500]

Any seat with the upper 'wings" makes it hard to get in my Miata with the top up. (I'm not your average Miata sized driver) Spec Miata seat does not have these,so I can slide/stuff in easier.

Rare..but it does rain..

[paultg]

Something else to consider on costs (maybe you know this), if you or your wife are not licensed yet I think the rules for Com (and most clubs) require equal safety upgrades for the student and instructor.

I am planning to stick with stock seats/belts until I am licensed so I can buy one seat and one harness, just swap it out for stock seats during street use.

Paul G.

[Stynger]

To lower the seat on the cheap and have a half decent seat, try pulling the stuffing out of the stock seat.
The back has a section that can be taken out and the bottom can be trimmed out. You'll have to take out the hog rings and pull the cover.
I did this on my street car, it's the most comfortable seat I have. You actually sit IN the seat not ON it.
You gain head room and leg room as well as keeping the adjuster.
I don't recommend the stock seat with a harness.

[6PAK72]

Hi Les,

That's the other problem - stock seat has no pass through holes for the harness.

Thanks for the shaving idea - I'd heard it can be done.