A case for aftermarket seats in stock

[Jack McCarthy]

i NEVER go for allowing any new aftermarket parts in stock > however in a rare case i think i agree with greg... IF IT IS STOCK APPEARING and weighs within 10% of the seat it replaced i think i could agree !

jack

greg we are not worried about andrew... its your big ***** we think might break a seat

[Alan Roehrich]

That's cold, Jack.

[SSDiv6]

I might get trashed on this one…however, I am looking at this subject from a safety perspective based on many documented incidents that have taken place on racers such as Woodrow, Dan Fletcher and others.

On my spare time, I did some research on many of the SAE papers written as regards to crashworthiness and design of automotive seats. In addition, I talked to some of the seat engineers, including the on-site Recaro engineer that happens to have an automotive seat design background.

Summarizing all the research and discussions with the engineers, I believe that due to the performance of the cars in Stock class, NHRA should change the rule to allow either the replacement of seats with OEM seat from cars built 1982 or later. They should also allow the used of some seats that have an OEM “Stock Appearing” configuration for the year used aftermarket seats from a limited group of companies such as Recaro, Corbeau and Procar.

What I mean by “Stock Appearing”, is if the OEM seats reclined, the replacement seats must also recline. OEM seats and mounting frames built after 1982 meet more rigid design requirements for frontal and side impact than earlier specifications and the mounting and in addition, use a seat back brace.

He was surprised there is not a specific requirement for the use of a seat back brace. He also went to a database and shared a list of present and past OEM cars with seats designed and built by Recaro that may be found on wrecking yards. The list is as follows:

• Audi: Sport Quattro, S3, A4, S4, RS2, RS4, A6, S6, RS6, TT, R8
• BMW: Mini
• BMW: 2002Tii, E30 M3, E34 M5
• Cadillac: 2009 CTS-V
• Chevrolet: Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe
• Dodge: Dodge Magnum R/T, Viper, All SRT Models
• Fiat: Coupe Limited Edition, Turbo Plus
• Ford: Escort GT, Ford Focus SVT, 2000 Mustang SVT Cobra R, 1979 Mustang Pace Car, 1980 Cobra
• Honda: Accord Type-R, Civic Type-R, del Sol, Integra Type-R, NSX, Odyssey, S2000
• Jaguar: XK8/XKR
• Lancia: Lancia
• Mazda: MX-3, MX-5, RX-7, RX-8
• Mercedes-Benz: 190E, 500E,
• Mitsubishi: Lancer Evolution, Mirage
• Nissan: Nissan 300ZX
• Pontiac: Trans Am (Recaro Model)
• Porsche: 911, 911 GT2, 911 GT3, 914, 944, 928, Cayman
• SAAB: 900R 1996
• Saturn: Ion
• Subaru: Impreza STi
• Toyota: Supra, MR2
• Volkswagen: Polo, New Beetle, Golf, GTI

In addition, their main competitor in the automotive business is Lear Siegler. He said the Lear Siegler seats can be found in many of the 1982 and later GM F-Body cars, Buick T-Type and Grand Nationals, early Mustang SVO’s and Cobra Models. The Lear Siegler seats also meet or exceed the SAE specifications.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by jack mccarthy

i never go for allowing any new aftermarket parts in stock > however in a rare case i think i agree with greg... If it is stock appearing and weighs within 10% of the seat it replaced i think i could agree !

Jack

greg we are not worried about andrew... Its your big ***** we think might break a seat

ouch !

[Greg Hill]

Originally Posted by Jack McCarthy

i NEVER go for allowing any new aftermarket parts in stock > however in a rare case i think i agree with greg... IF IT IS STOCK APPEARING and weighs within 10% of the seat it replaced i think i could agree !

jack

greg we are not worried about andrew... its your big ***** we think might break a seat

Jack, that's kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.

[Clay Arnett]

SSDiv6 it's good to see someone using their brain to decide on aftermarket seats.

[Ken Keir]

I am for keeping stock seats in stock.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Ken Keir

I am for keeping stock seats in stock.

For safety reasons, I would like to see the option to use a later model OEM seat, or aftermarket stock appearing seat with a seat back brace.

I recall the OEM seat on a 1977 model GM Stock eliminator failing during a launch due to the reclining mechanism failing. The reclining mechanism was locked with bolts after the failure. Eventually the seat frame fatigued and failed again. This particular car was converted to a race car since new and never saw the street. Still, the seat frame and mechanism failed. Just imagine the condition of cars that were originally manufactured in the 1960's and early 1970's and the condition of the seat frames, structure and mechanism.

[Dave Casey]

I am with Ken Keir, leave the rule alone. I have a 1969 a/s and a 1986 g/s car, I feel that as with any item on my car , I will take the responsibility myself to check every thing on my cars to keep them safe and functional. If my seat tracks need work, it is my deal to fix them.

With a correctly mounted harness and a stock seat that is supported correctly, I have no safety concerns with my 1969 seats going 130mph.

[novassdude]

I have my seat back supported by a brace comming off the rollbar cross tube. That does not allow the seat to move at all.
I would not be against updated fatory seats allowed in older cars. But really dont like the idea of the light weight racing seats.