First, for those of you who visit the other S2000 forums (S2ksi, Vtec.net, etc.), I trust you'll overlook my coming here as well with a post seeking a substitute for the OEM seat in the S2000.

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here's the deal: I don't fit in the S2000. But that hasn't kept me from shlepping down to my Honda showroom every year to try one on in the hope that Honda has fundamentally changed the seat design. My problem is my height: 6 feet, 6 inches; 36-inch inseam, 36-inch waist. When I'm seated in an S2000, my right leg is literally pinned between the steering wheel and the center (radio) console. If the radio console weren't there, I might fit, but what I really need is another two inches of legroom.

A few days ago, I contacted King Motorsports (KMS) by e-mail (from another board) and asked whether a Mugen replacement seat would give me any additional legroom. I was very impressed with the fact that I received a response from KMS within a half day informing me that the Mugen seat would give me the legroom I needed (probably two full inches) but that the seat width (of the S1) would likely be a problem. The writer indicated that he has a Mugen seat in his S2000, that he has a 34-inch waist, and that its a "snug fit." He further told me that Mugen is planning to manufacture a wider seat, and he invited me to check back in a few weeks.

I certainly plan to do that, but there obviously isn't a significant market for replacement seats for S2000s, so I realize that I may be waiting a long, long time. (A poster on the S2kca board mentioned that he'd been waiting more than a year for a bigger seat from Mugen.)

So, I ask you to think back now about how much you wanted your S2000 before you actually bought one. That's where I am. Thus, my question to the board is: Has anyone replaced the OEM seat with an aftermarket seat -- Mugen, Sparco, Recaro -- and did it give you any additional legroom? Any advice, particularly advice based on someone's actual experience, would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have quite a bit of experience trying out lots of different seats. You are mainly looking for, not only leg room, but also head room too. So your head must drop down considerably. Others will be replacement seats (sparco/cobra/recaro), and will provide you with minimal, to none at all whatsoever in gains for the head room. The Mugen seat will fit the best for your purposes. But as you know, it is fixed and not for everyone. It does lower the seat the furthest of all aftermarket seats and is quite comfy if you have the build for it. As for me, nope, it isn't comfy because it pinches me and I slide around in it.

Just watch out for hearsays and claims with other seats. If they are indeed going to make a wider S1 seat, go for it and try it out. Scott & Bob at King will work with you on that to make sure it works. The seat is only held down by four bolts anywyas, so a dealer might even allow you to bring the seat in to try it out. But the Mugen will take a wee bit to install because of the tight fit.

Best of luck!

 

Did you read this thread?

http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/...50658

 

Mr. Bagel: Thank you for your response. Actually, now I'm getting a lot of responses, here and on an S2k owners' website. Very helpful.

I would make on point, though. I don't need any additional headroom. Even with the OEM seat, I've got plenty. My problem is entirely legroom. (Went through this in the Navy, too, by the way. Started out in an aviation program in college, and was discharged when my femer length exceeded that which would enable me to still eject in one piece. Fortunately, the Navy had other programs and I did 24 years with 'em, but I still think I would have been a hell of a good pilot.)

But, back to the seat. In my post above, I mentioned that the King Motorsport representative who responded to my e-mail indicated that Mugen supposedly will market a seat for someone my size. Because KMS doesn't know when that may be, I was hoping that I might find an alternative while waiting for a Mugen seat, which I regard as the best.

Thanks again for your response.



Modified by Mechanic at 10:48 AM 10/17/2003

 

RStoR: Yes, I had read the thread your referenced, and I appreciate your response. As I mentioned above, my problem is leg length; even with the OEM seat, I've got plenty of headroom -- at least two full inches.

What I've decided to do is contact a Honda dealership located near a Sparco retailer in Manassas, Virginia, and see if the two of them will allow me to remove the OEM seat (it's only four bolts and disconnecting the seatbeat light; I've been through the drill before w/ other cars) and just place an aftermarket seat, such as Sparco's Roadster, on the floor just to see if it fits in place (clears the door when closed, etc.). If so, then I'll see if using Sparco's fixed brackets will fit, without actually bolting the two in place.

This, of course, requires a bit of cooperation between the Honda sales folks and Sparco. I'll let you know and the board know how it works out. Thanks again for yr response.