i know this probably isn't the right forum for some of this, but i think that since a lot of people here deal with this regularly it is the best place for the question. if it must be moved, so be it.

i'm going tomorrow to look at buying a pair of used cf sparco revs for an h1 crx. i'd like to know if anyone with experience with the seats can tell me if there is anything i should look out for when i'm checking them over. wear or problem areas, authenticity, etc...

also- can someone clarify the nasa seat rule for me? does the time until "seat expiration" start when the seat is made or bought? or when it starts in the logbook?
i don't want to but seats that i can't use because of the ruling.

 

Look at the SFi label. It goes by whatever date is on there. So if you buy seats that sat in a basement for five years, they won't do you any bit of good in a NASA sanctioned car.

Just check over the weave for any cracks or imperfections and of course the fabric.

 

Another thing-make sure that the mounting points are not damaged or an attempt to repair the threads was tried. This is the most critical part of the seat and the 4 holes must be perfect. As mentioned, make sure the cover is in good condition with no tears and that the seatbelt hole protectors are snapped together.
Our REV is really great for fit, btw. If you plan on using brackets to mount the seat consider the SPARCO steel ones-they work very well in a CRX with minor adusting for location.

Happy holidays

 

thanks for the quick replies- i'm out the door to go look right now.

what is the market like for seats that are still in great shape but are "expired"? i have a feeling that even if the seats only have a little more nasa time left on them i'm going to pick them up anyway, as the deal seems so good- 1000 for the pair.

 

$1000 for a pair of about to expire seats doesn't seem like a very good deal IMHO considering a new Sparco Rev can be found shipped for around $525

It would only be a somewhat decent deal if it came with all the side rails, the sliders, & the mounting bracket (& the mounting bracket must be the exact one for your car).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr Hammond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Look at the SFi label. It goes by whatever date is on there. So if you buy seats that sat in a basement for five years, they won't do you any bit of good in a NASA sanctioned car.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

According to the NASA CCR you only need to replace the seat IF you mount it without a seat back brace.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NASA CCR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
15.5.22 Seat Back Support
A seatback support must be made to hold the seat from going back in the event of a
crash. A plate should be used to distribute the load. No bolts, corners, or sharp
objects should be placed is such a manner that could lead to a possible puncture of the
driver in a high impact crash. Proper design and installation is crucial to safety and it is
recommend that the driver employ the services of a professional race car builder for
this, as well as all other vehicle safety items. An exception may be made for those
seats homologated to, and mounted in accordance, with FIA 8855-1999 standards.
Those seats that qualify for the aforementioned exception must conform to the entire
FIA 8855-1999 set of regulations. This includes a mandatory seat replacement of any
seat more than five (5) years old </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

I think I paid less than $600 for mine-so see what you can do with the price. If push gets you then a back brace would be required at worst.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrianZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

According to the NASA CCR you only need to replace the seat IF you mount it without a seat back brace.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

The way I interpreted the excerpt you posted was this....

All seats must be mounted with a seat back brace UNLESS it conforms to FIA 8855-1999 standards. Then you do not have to use a seat back brace. Regardless you MUST replace the seat every five years whether you use a seat back brace or not.

Hence why it says "This includes a mandatory seat replacement of any
seat more than five (5) years old"

Maybe I'm interpreting wrong?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by luder94si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">$1000 for a pair of about to expire seats doesn't seem like a very good deal IMHO considering a new Sparco Rev can be found shipped for around $525
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're forgetting the ones he is looking at are carbon fiber. They are around $1400 each if I remember correctly. Much more expensive than a fiberglass seat.

 

Thoughts, comments on my interpretation? Just like to know for sure.

 

Apropos of nothing, it doesn't make very much sense to disallow the use of an outdated but good quality FIA seat with a brace, when I could use any old piece of crap dune buggy seat that was 20 years old - with the same mounting hardware.

The problem, quite frankly, is the assumption that seat back braces are a good thing with race seats. I'm personally of the opinion that this is a hold-over from the days of racing with stock, adjustable seats.

K

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ryan12321 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You're forgetting the ones he is looking at are carbon fiber. They are around $1400 each if I remember correctly. Much more expensive than a fiberglass seat.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Did they make a carbon fiber REV at some point?? There are no such seats listed any longer. All the REV seats are now only fiberglass.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ryan12321 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You're forgetting the ones he is looking at are carbon fiber. They are around $1400 each if I remember correctly. Much more expensive than a fiberglass seat.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

right, thanks man. 1400 would still be a pretty good deal on a new cf rev.

anyway- i picked them up over the weekend. thanks for the info. they look great and aren't expired.

 

does anyone know a good (read inexpensive) source for sparco seat covers and padding? i'd like to change the color to work better with the car.

 

you can buy sparco material form them @ http://www.sparcousa.com however if your going to get them rewrapped you may try something more durable.

Also since you will be removing the FIA tag make provisions for the seat brace while wrapping the seat.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sans &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you can buy sparco material form them @ http://www.sparcousa.com however if your going to get them rewrapped you may try something more durable.

Also since you will be removing the FIA tag make provisions for the seat brace while wrapping the seat.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If the FIA label is anything like on my evo2 it is labeled on the seat itself and not on the fabric.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr Hammond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The way I interpreted the excerpt you posted was this....

All seats must be mounted with a seat back brace UNLESS it conforms to FIA 8855-1999 standards. Then you do not have to use a seat back brace. Regardless you MUST replace the seat every five years whether you use a seat back brace or not.

Hence why it says "This includes a mandatory seat replacement of any
seat more than five (5) years old"

Maybe I'm interpreting wrong?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, you did get it wrong. What this section says is all seats require a seat-back brace except those that are FIA homologated. BUT, if you use a FIA homologated seat, and choose to mount it without a seat-back brace, then the installation must conform to the standards set forth in FIA 8855-1999. Part of the stipulations in this spec require that a seat be no more than 5 years old.

Basically, if you claim the 8855-1999 exception from a seat-back brace, you will also be held to the rest of 8855-1999 and you will have to buy a new seat every 5 years. If you pass on the 8855-1999 exception, then you can run the seat indefinetely.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Adrift &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Actually, you did get it wrong. What this section says is all seats require a seat-back brace except those that are FIA homologated. BUT, if you use a FIA homologated seat, and choose to mount it without a seat-back brace, then the installation must conform to the standards set forth in FIA 8855-1999. Part of the stipulations in this spec require that a seat be no more than 5 years old.

Basically, if you claim the 8855-1999 exception from a seat-back brace, you will also be held to the rest of 8855-1999 and you will have to buy a new seat every 5 years. If you pass on the 8855-1999 exception, then you can run the seat indefinetely.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's good info to know. I guess basically that means you can add a seat back brace at the 5 year mark, and the seat will continue to be approved? Though I still don't like seat back braces, and will probably buy a new seat when mine expires.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FormulaIntegra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That's good info to know. I guess basically that means you can add a seat back brace at the 5 year mark, and the seat will continue to be approved? Though I still don't like seat back braces, and will probably buy a new seat when mine expires.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not a real big fan of seat back braces either so I bought a Momo FIA approved seat. However before purchasing I starting thinking about a better way to use a seat-back brace if I were to keep the Corbeau. Since the FX-1 is a fiberglass composite, I was considering using some suspension bushings or something similar in between the actual brace and the seat to allow the seat to still flex a bit under load.

Just typing this I realize it would probably be best if a slightly squishy material could cover the entire face of the brace as opposed to just at the anchor points.

Any other thoughts?

 

What about a telescoping brace, kind of like a sliding sleeve, with some sort of gas shock or spring application? Probably somewhat expensive in fabrication, but if it allows a seat to give a little, yet still supports it, without being required to replace the seat every 5 years, I'd be interested.

 

The seat will have an FIA decal on the outer rear corner for one thing. The decal should be less than 5years old, btw. Check the bolt holes very carefully for signs of cracking or cross threading. They are Metric and you will want Grade 10.9 bolts and washers. The seat does not come with a mounting base so you will need either the stamped steel ones and high grade bolts for them and the seat or the adapters for the stock rails in your car.
My REV is just fine overall. There should be minimal wear on the cover (replaceable from SPARCO) and the front padded section should be firmly in place. Check that the seat belt hole covers are there. They somethimes have a tendency to separate and need to be snapped back together.

Hope this helps-good luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FormulaIntegra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What about a telescoping brace, kind of like a sliding sleeve, with some sort of gas shock or spring application? Probably somewhat expensive in fabrication, but if it allows a seat to give a little, yet still supports it, without being required to replace the seat every 5 years, I'd be interested.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Probably cheaper then buying a new seat, but(t) I have five years to think about it.

Perhaps by then the rule will be gone, or something like what you mentioned will be available. Interesting idea.

 

what are some cheap ebay seats for hpde

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by racekar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what are some cheap ebay seats for hpde</TD></TR></TABLE>

you can find some sparco seats for kinda cheap and some momo's.

although id highly suggest getting something you really like and that is REALLY comfertable, i did and it was awsome, unfortanly i gained some mass in the upper chest and the seat doesn't fit too good any more, so im selling and gona get a recaro SPG

 

I say spend as much as you can possibly afford

I picked this up today



I used to have a buddy club seat in black and grey but some ricer bought it from nor cal

I really like the Sparco sprint since it's cheap and lasts a long time and is somewhat comfortable