I have auto-x a few times in the past. I noticed I cannot fit comfortable in the 99 Lude with a helmet on. I am 5'6'' and was wondering if i can get a few inches of headroom if i put ITR seats in the car.... thanks for any help..

 

I'm 5"7 and I haven't had any problems with headroom with a helmet on while autocrossing. I as under the impression that you can adjust the seat slightly lower (more "bucket-like").


[Modified by jacques, 2:29 PM 8/4/2001]

 

HOw do you position your seat?? I find I have to open the sunroof and have to tilt my head sideways I wear a simpson full face helmet

 

I have the seatback leaned back slightly, maybe by 10 degrees or so from vertical...but that's my driving position in normal driving. A long time ago, I adjusted the seat so it would sit lower. There is a driver's height adjustment **** that can raise or lower to your liking.

At our autocrosses, they do not allow you to keep the sunroof open.


[Modified by jacques, 2:47 PM 8/4/2001]

 

I have tried all the positions i can imagine for the stock seats. When I go somewhere that won't let me run with the sunroof open I am very miserable. So I am looking into aftermarket seats that would be a direct bolt in...

 

If you're an SCCA member, "Racing" magazine has an article on aftermarket seats. ITR seats might bolt-on, but they cost considerably more than Sparco Torino seats...my personal favorite . Also, I don't know what SCCA rules are concerning aftermarket seats...if you're running a stock setup right now, having those seats may move you to a modified class, or worse yet, a "Street Modified" class (SM).

 

you can run in STS as long as the aftermarket seats have reclining backs. a fixed back seat will push you in to dsp i think. i too have problems racing my lude with a helmet on. i would love it someone could measure the difference in butt height between the stock, sparco torino, corbeu ?, and any other relining back racing seat.

 

the prelude seats are high. I had trouble when i dragged my car a while back with a helmet on. I have heard talk about people lowering their stock prelude seats. somewhere between 1-2 inches or something. i forget how they did it but do a search for that post.

 

Open the sunroof

 

I wear a Simpson open face with chin bar and I just fit with the panel just under the sunroof (the one that slides back when you open the sunroof). I'm 5'6" too. I've thoguht about removing the headrest to get a little more room to lean my head back, but I don't know if it's allowed.
One thing I suggest to try is to take off the seat and seat cover and zip tie the springs down. I don't know if you can compress the seat springs enough to make a differnce, but it's worth a shot.

 

This is simple folks-really simple!
Go to the trim shop and have them change the springs under the seat cushion. The stock springs are what cause the problem. They can cut a set of replacements that will lower you over 1". The only disadvantage to this is that the fabric will be a bit loose-but it can also be resewn. You can lower further by having them shave a bit of the foam away.
This is what I did and I have yet to hit the headliner with my 5'10" body and Bell helmet.