Is there an issue using the lesser expencive (cheap) seats?

Like these for example? http://www.jdmcarboy.com/racing_seats_misc.htm

I have done a few HPDE's in my CRX with a Sparco Fighter drivers seat. But, in my new track toy Integra I will be putting in a Kirk Roll bar, and G-Force harnesses and FIA seats are expencive as *****!!!!

Are the knock off seats dangerous, or what about Corbeau they seem to be on the lesser expencine side.

Any thoughts????

 

momo has some cheap FIA seats....300 range

 

a friend of mine just bought a Momo Cup. $450.. i think thats a very resonable price.

 

If you are looking for a race seat make sure its a one piece bucket. The one in your pic is 2 piece.

When choosing safety items cheap should be removed from your vocabulary. And yes a seat is a safety item.

 

I've been pretty happy with my Sparco Sprint. If you weren't so far away and shipping it you wasn't a bitch, i'm selling it for cheap.

But yeah, the lower end sparco 1 piece buckets are fine (Speed/Sprint)

 

Yeah I know the bucket type is the better way to go but a 3 1/2 -4 Hr ride to the track in very narrow seat like the Speed or Sprint would kill me. The Fighter is about as narrow as I want to go. I also want to have a wider passenger seat just in case my instructor is not a 32 inch waist.... I would love to pick up an Evo and Evo2 but the money is kinda getting tapped...... $1400 in seats.

So here is the big question. Are these lesser expensive reclineable seats less safe than stock? (knock offs or even the Corbeau reclining seats) If they are as safe, wouldn't the use of 5 point harness, and a roll bar be better that the stock seats and stock belts?

I know this opens up a huge can of worms and I have searched the forums about how and why harnesses are mounted the way they are. But, like I said for someone on a budget what is better that stock?

 

Corbeau seats aren't too bad from what I've read/sat in. They are much more popular in Europe than here (non-JDM is like kryptonite for most of HT). The Corbeau seats I was looking at are FIA approved, so they can't be too bad in terms of safety...

You can check out http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/...=M016
For a UK store with lots of "alternative" seating options, see what you like, and then look for them locally.

I would stay away from knock-off seats if you plan on keeping yourself safe when racing, they often make cuts in quality to provide you with that lower price...

 

I was under the impression corbeau seats were no longer FIA approved? Not to say a seatback brace could not be run to accomodate.

Id say stick with stock seats till you find the right deal, a rollbar and harnesses EVEN on stock seats will sure grip you hard.

 

i really like my corbeau forza seats. just got one for the pass. side.

their replacement covers are very easy to install too, ifyou buy a used seat. the replacement covers are like 80 bucks. took me about an hour to install it. just gotta take your time and remember what hooks where.

i like corbeau

 

Get a kirkey.....<$200 if I recall correctly

 

I boguht a pair of Corbeau FX-1 Pros, and I kick myself in the *** for not going with the Sparco Evo. The corbeau gets the job done, but its quality just isn't close to the Sparco.

 

noob question: does your seat have to be FIA approved if you're doing hpde's?

 

Don't buy a passenger seat, waste of money IMO.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by null. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">noob question: does your seat have to be FIA approved if you're doing hpde's?</TD></TR></TABLE>Not that I know of. I've run a lot of different hpde's. It was only a requirement for the race groups.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ED9man &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't buy a passenger seat, waste of money IMO.</TD></TR></TABLE>True. But it would make your instructor very happy.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ED9man &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't buy a passenger seat, waste of money IMO.</TD></TR></TABLE>

also alot of sanctioning bodies won't let you on track like that.

 

I dont know why you wouldnt want to run a FIA seat...

 

Sparco Speed FTW.

I've ran one in my 240 for almost a year...
im 5'9'' 130 lb, so pretty slim guy.
i fit fine in it, but i have too much butt room.

the leg support isn't the best, but it is suffice. the back support is good.

i would suggest either that one, or "Momo Start". Both are really good seats for under $300.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The HamsterBall &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sparco Speed FTW.

I've ran one in my 240 for almost a year...
im 5'9'' 130 lb, so pretty slim guy.
i fit fine in it, but i have too much butt room.

the leg support isn't the best, but it is suffice. the back support is good.

i would suggest either that one, or "Momo Start". Both are really good seats for under $300.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The Speed is a little too tight for me. I guess I will bite the bullet and pick up an EVO and EVO2 before the cars first event early next year.

 

I say kirkey. Their light, safe, and cheap. You can get one for less than 200 bucks.

 

now this isn't a plug, but i work for and run memoryfab seats. full carbon race seats. i used to have a sparco speed seat, it was to wide. i switched to a memoryfab S68.. and it was night and day! now our normal seats are not FIA approved however they are made with the same materials, same process and the same factory as our FIA approved seats we do offer. the only difference is the price.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bosco500 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I say kirkey. Their light, safe, and cheap. You can get one for less than 200 bucks.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes.. kirkey is excellent as well.

 

Kirkey is not an option. I have to do a little daily driving in this car so some comfort will be needed!!!

If this were a Track ***** I'd be all over them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vbspec &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Speed is a little too tight for me. I guess I will bite the bullet and pick up an EVO and EVO2 before the cars first event early next year. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Go used. Expired seats are super cheap, and I'd rather have an expired FIA 8855-1999 seat than a brand new POS. I picked up a lightly used Sparco Circuit at a track event in June '05 for about half of what one costs new - and the FIA sticker was dated April '04, so it's still legal for competition without a brace until April '09.

Some Corbeau seats had FIA homologation but it was revoked recently. I'd say the Corbeaus that were formerly homologated (see here) would be fine for HPDE use. Corbeaus are pretty inexpensive, though quality is not up to Recaro or even Sparco levels.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spock_rocker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">now this isn't a plug, but i work for and run memoryfab seats. full carbon race seats. i used to have a sparco speed seat, it was to wide. i switched to a memoryfab S68.. and it was night and day! now our normal seats are not FIA approved however they are made with the same materials, same process and the same factory as our FIA approved seats we do offer. the only difference is the price. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Then spend 5 cents and put a sticker on it saying so.