miata's

[962porsche]

not to get off toppic ? but does a 5 point harness fit over the seat backs of the stock 1993 miata seats ? i do have two spec miata seats but i really don't want to put them in the car as i only plan on taking to the track from time to time .

[wizzman]

You really can't use the harnesses on the stock seats unless you cut holes in the headrests which is a little ghetto. I have some seat brackets for the stock seat mounts that would let you swap in the spec seats but be able to switch back to the stock seats easily:

http://comscc.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4196

[962porsche]

i thought they would be the same as the porsche seats because they have the same basic shape to them .
i can just fab up my own brackets for the seats but thanks for the offer .

[breakaway500]

Dave,make sure you consider the broomstick test when fabbing up you seat mounts as taller people (over 6') have difficulty passing this requirement in a Miata. You should really have a rollbar mounted in the car before you fit the seats so you can check the helmet/stick clearance.

[962porsche]

yes this i know . once i get the car in my shop i am going to build the roll bar 1st . then i'm stil not sure what i'm going to do about the seats ?
i don't want to swap out seats every time i take the car to the track . there is also the fact that my brothers son wants to see what track driving is all about so i will let him use the car to get his feet wet . if i do that the driver and the instructor will need the same seats and belts . seats i have but i only have one set of belts that are up to date to put in the car .
when i built my spec miata car years ago it was not the broom stick test that was the problem it was the upper bar that ran from the main hoop to the top of the front leg that was the problem . when i put on my helmet and the padding on the bar i had to hold my head side ways to fit in the car .

[paultg]

If its just a car to get someone's feet wet my suggestion would be to just cut the foam out of the stock seats and run the stock belts. You can pick up a used roll bar for $300 and install it in 4 hours. That's what my car has. It works pretty good. Now that I'm licensed and producing decent lap times I'm upgrading to a proper seat.

The stock seats gutted get you lower than you'd expect, and provide the flexibility for multiple drivers. I added a "Cg lock" to help the stock belts hold me better.

Google: "Miata foamactomy"
https://www.google.com/search?q=miata+f ... 20&bih=416

Paul G.

[962porsche]

i have no need to buy a roll bar when a big part of my business is building roll cages and chassis so with the seamless DOM tubing i have in the shop the total cost to me is about 40 dollars plus my time .
i'm not sure just what i'm going to do for the seats there are many options for that . i may just do the spec miata seats ? the seat foam idea is a good one i did that for a customer so he would pass tech with a MGB .

[breakaway500]

I have a pair of Ultrashield Spec Miata seats in my Miata and love them,even for street use.(17" size) They are very comfortable and hold you firmly in place. I have them angled about 20 degrees and solid mounted in the rear,with a small L bracket in front. Priced very reasonably at $310,including shipping

http://www.saferacer.com/ultra-shield-s ... with-cover

[962porsche]

i have the same seats . in one of my 944's i have the pro road race seats there good untill your driving some were for hours then i end up with monkey butt ! it's a good seat for track driving even when your in the car for a two plus hour stint but just for street use i'm not to sure about how i will like them ?
i was thinking they may be a little better if i cut some of the sides down ?

[breakaway500]

The sides are an inconvenience getting in/out,but that is where their excellent side support comes from,so cutting them would compromise one of the best parts of the design. Tough decision..

[wizzman]

Dave,make sure you consider the broomstick test when fabbing up you seat mounts as taller people (over 6') have difficulty passing this requirement in a Miata. You should really have a rollbar mounted in the car before you fit the seats so you can check the helmet/stick clearance.

That is why I sold my roll bar and have the seat brackets for sale. I am having a cage installed as we speak.

[962porsche]

i would really like to know what in the hell the designers or auto makers are thinking when they give the go ahead on building a car that does not fit people of 5' 11 and over ?
i'm only 6' tall and i don't think that is overly tall at all and yet i have owned cars that i just don't fit in like
countach , 328 , 308 , 348, miata ,smart roadster coupe all just don't really fit people over 5'11"very well at all . i have this little mazda AZ1 that i fit into better than a miata and that's a micro car so i don't get it ?

[breakaway500]

"i don't get it"
Simple; there are more people under 6 feet tall than over,so they build the car (or whatever) to accommodate the majority of people. Same thing about left handed people.That is why there are not as many products designed for lefties.

[962porsche]

being 6 foot or even 6' 1" is not all that uncommon i know a crap load of people that are . it's not like we are trying to fit into a car like a MG midget . mazda knew there was a problem with the old MX-5's that why they add a little more room to the new ones .
i think there's more people that are taller than 5'11" than left handed ? but your right a friend of mine i go shooting with is left handed he bought a 22 semi auto rifle that kicks the shells out right into his face the funny part is the maker offers a stock for left handed people .

[Stynger]

It's funny what we notice.

A friend just bought the new Cadillac Crossover, that's all he see's on the road now.

I'm left handed, I swear over 50% of my customers are left handed, and quit a few are woman. National average is 10-15% and woman are quit rare.

Average height of men

U.S.
178.2 cm (5' 10.2")

United Kingdom
176.8 cm (5' 9.6")

Japan
171.2 cm (5' 7.4")

Who the heck is doing these surveys.