Lowered Stock Recaro Seat
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (62)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 6
From: Redmond - Lake Tapps ,WA
UPDATE:
I checked into a problem of the seat not sliding ALL the way forward and contacting the front mounting bolts, as mentioned by someone in another thread. This is in fact true. Although the brackets themselves provide for full travel as tested un-installed, they stop a little short of full travel when installed as the outside front mounting nut hits the slider. I missed the interference when I reviewed everything as the seat appears to be in the maximum forward position. I believe it is eliminating 1 or 2 positions, I'll confirm that tomorrow. Sorry for the oversight guys.
That said, gtfour43 has said that even at 5'6" he doesn't need the seat any closer.
I checked into a problem of the seat not sliding ALL the way forward and contacting the front mounting bolts, as mentioned by someone in another thread. This is in fact true. Although the brackets themselves provide for full travel as tested un-installed, they stop a little short of full travel when installed as the outside front mounting nut hits the slider. I missed the interference when I reviewed everything as the seat appears to be in the maximum forward position. I believe it is eliminating 1 or 2 positions, I'll confirm that tomorrow. Sorry for the oversight guys.
That said, gtfour43 has said that even at 5'6" he doesn't need the seat any closer.
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (62)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 6
From: Redmond - Lake Tapps ,WA
UPDATE
I now have compatible harness eyebolts available. They are custom made as the standard seatbelt ones that come with a harness are not the correct thread size. I tried to help a buyer find these and they weren't readily available - so I got these custom built.
Price is $14 shipped for one, or $24 shipped for two.
I now have compatible harness eyebolts available. They are custom made as the standard seatbelt ones that come with a harness are not the correct thread size. I tried to help a buyer find these and they weren't readily available - so I got these custom built.
Price is $14 shipped for one, or $24 shipped for two.
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (62)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 6
From: Redmond - Lake Tapps ,WA
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (62)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 6
From: Redmond - Lake Tapps ,WA
I had a Sparco seat wasting away in a rally car so I decided to put it in my car for some track time.
Anyway, I used my original bracket prototypes as the starting point for a solid fixed base. I used some 1 inch square tubing and welded everything together. It turned out really nice, and mounted the Sparco even lower than the Recaro's. I actually think the position is similar, but the padding on the Sparco base is really thin and "sinks" as there is no solid bottom. So the overall position is pretty low. I had to drop the wheel all the way down. IT FEELS BADASS!
Anyone with welding skills looking to use the brackets for their own custom base let me know.
Here are some pics,
Anyway, I used my original bracket prototypes as the starting point for a solid fixed base. I used some 1 inch square tubing and welded everything together. It turned out really nice, and mounted the Sparco even lower than the Recaro's. I actually think the position is similar, but the padding on the Sparco base is really thin and "sinks" as there is no solid bottom. So the overall position is pretty low. I had to drop the wheel all the way down. IT FEELS BADASS!
Anyone with welding skills looking to use the brackets for their own custom base let me know.
Here are some pics,
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (62)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 6
From: Redmond - Lake Tapps ,WA
Review from a RHD install in Australia.
time to add my own review 
put these in the other night, took me about 30 minutes, bit of stuffing around getting the back outside bracket to line up but we got it in the end
definately an instant difference. before i felt like i sat on the seat, now i sit in the seat
driving position feels very different, i like it
im 6"3' and ive got a bit more headroom now. more importantly i have some kneeroom under the dash finally! woohoo!
great mod a+++ will put it in again lol
put these in the other night, took me about 30 minutes, bit of stuffing around getting the back outside bracket to line up but we got it in the end
definately an instant difference. before i felt like i sat on the seat, now i sit in the seat
driving position feels very different, i like it
im 6"3' and ive got a bit more headroom now. more importantly i have some kneeroom under the dash finally! woohoo!
great mod a+++ will put it in again lol
Just wanted to give jid2 a bump and a 
Brackets look really good and shipping was quick.
Im 6'6" and now can actually have my hand on the lower portion of the wheel without spreading my legs like a woman giving birth. I installed the brackets about a week ago. My shoulders feel more comfortable, I can use my arm rests now. About not being able to slide forward...If you NEED these brackets, there's a fat chance you will ever be sliding the seat forward. Its a non-issue for me. I do have to adjust to see my odometer, but I have steering column gauges, so it was difficult before these brackets anyways. I definitely feel like I will be more comfortable with a helmet now too.
Ive got some pictures before and after, just need to remember to bring my camera cable to work...
jid2, keep up the good work.
I'll be talking to you shortly about some of your other stuff. (airbox???)
Brackets look really good and shipping was quick.
Im 6'6" and now can actually have my hand on the lower portion of the wheel without spreading my legs like a woman giving birth. I installed the brackets about a week ago. My shoulders feel more comfortable, I can use my arm rests now. About not being able to slide forward...If you NEED these brackets, there's a fat chance you will ever be sliding the seat forward. Its a non-issue for me. I do have to adjust to see my odometer, but I have steering column gauges, so it was difficult before these brackets anyways. I definitely feel like I will be more comfortable with a helmet now too.
Ive got some pictures before and after, just need to remember to bring my camera cable to work...
jid2, keep up the good work.
I'll be talking to you shortly about some of your other stuff. (airbox???)
I hope this doesn't come accross as a ricer question, but will lowering the seats have a noticeable effect on my ability to rest my arm on the doorsill with the windows open? It's a nice thing to be able to do in the summer, and the Evo's doors are hardly short as they are. Not that this is a deal breaker, but can anyone with them chime in.
And are the harness eyebolts necessary? I'm not really understanding how they fit in the picture here.
And are the harness eyebolts necessary? I'm not really understanding how they fit in the picture here.
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (62)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 6
From: Redmond - Lake Tapps ,WA
Your arm may be a little high, it's hard know know how much of a problem that will be. I just got the review below in my main thread - he talks about the same thing.
Harness eyebolts are just for the guys running a harness for track days.
I bought a driver's side set about a month ago and finally was able to install them today. WOW, I totally underestimated how much lower the seat was going to drop. I'm 5'8" and my shoulder now barely crests over the bottom edge of the window! No more feeling like I'm driving a god damn SUV! Thank you again for the brackets jid2.
FYI, I have a '04 VIII with SSL package. Didn't have to bend the slider bar or anything else....the seat slides smooth without any interference. Installation was ust straight bolt in and done.
Highly recommend this modification to all Evo owners that want to retain the great factory Recaros.
FYI, I have a '04 VIII with SSL package. Didn't have to bend the slider bar or anything else....the seat slides smooth without any interference. Installation was ust straight bolt in and done.
Highly recommend this modification to all Evo owners that want to retain the great factory Recaros.
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (62)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 6
From: Redmond - Lake Tapps ,WA
I've received a fair number of PM's recently from people asking if I have parts in stock. I DO HAVE PARTS IN STOCK... for now.
I am starting to run low though and I'll be placing a new order along with some of the other parts I'm developing right now. I'm looking to bundle all the parts I receive from the manufacture to save some shipping. So my lead time could be a little longer with the new parts.
SO, if you are on the fence it's first come first serve. I'm trying to avoid getting back orders but it could happen depending on sales rates, which really fluctuate I've found.
Just a heads up, I know it's full-on track season now and alot of people have the brackets on "their list".
I am starting to run low though and I'll be placing a new order along with some of the other parts I'm developing right now. I'm looking to bundle all the parts I receive from the manufacture to save some shipping. So my lead time could be a little longer with the new parts.
SO, if you are on the fence it's first come first serve. I'm trying to avoid getting back orders but it could happen depending on sales rates, which really fluctuate I've found.
Just a heads up, I know it's full-on track season now and alot of people have the brackets on "their list".