steven31371

Hey guys,

I have a 98 Vert, and am a big guy, 6'2" 240 lbs.

I had a bear of a time finding a good seat that looked good from all angles with the top down, was big enough to fit me, and small enough to fit in my car. All while not spending several grand.

I took a risk in Bimarco Futura racing seats.

A was a risk well taken.

They look fantastic from all angles and in the car.

they have a great line that matches the curves of our cars, and the back is painted in a glossy piano black that is well finished.

The only hang up, is that they are side mount seats, so I had the choice of fabricating some brackets, or hard mounting them to the car. I didn't want to change the stock seat mounting bolts so I made a simple but very strong fixed bracket from some steel construction ties at home depot and some extra strong # 8 bolts and washers.

I was able to keep the seats very low even mounting the side mount brackets to my custom bracket in the car, and keep the original mounting points in the car. Cost about $30 and 2 hours to make the brackets.

I used a Simpson Strong Tie, ESR 2523, MST27. These are rated to hold over 10,000 lbs each so they are strong enough for the job when two are used for each seat.

Here is a teaser pic, more to come in a bit.

They fit very well in the car, and fit my body size with just the right amount of snugness.

Best of all, they are actually a FIA approved seat that is extra safe and can be used in HPDE's and Time Trial events etc.

My car is a daily driver, but I love the canyon runs, and this seat is perfect both visually and performance wise. Will be doing Autox and HPDE's and some Corvette Challenge runs.

Don't know if I would recommend them for coupes unless you are flexible, as ingress and egress in is a bit tight with my roof up because of the higher side bolsters at the hips, but then again I'm big.

Only real problem is that I'm gunna have to spring for coilovers and even stiffer sways than my Hotchkis now, as I can feel everything that the car is doing in curves much better now lol




These seats start at $300!

I think I paid an extra $100 for the leather option.

They are better quality than the comparable Corbeue or Sparco's I looked at, and look better too.





more pics to follow

ToplessBlonde

Looking forward to seeing a picture of them in the car.

steven31371

I've been driving around with just the one seat in to make sure I liked them as a DD seat.

I do, the other seat will go in in a bit and will post pics this afternoon ;-)

madmatster

In for more pics

91LSMAN

Not Bad.

K-Spaz

That front looks really high. Does that move down to make the seat more flat on the bottom? Cause if that's not adjustable, I can see that just killing you with pressure on your sciatic nerve. It looks really deep.

Mr.Bill

In my opinion that seat looks very uncomfortable. I don't think I would like it at all.

JaxEagle

Here's the owner's opinion:


I've driving around with just the one seat in to make sure I liked them as a DD seat.

I do, the other seat will go in in a bit and will post pics this afternoon ;-)

Vetteman Jack

Not sure I would be comfortable with that high front lip to the seat - seems like your legs would never be able to be stretched out. After you've had them for a while and have driven a bit, let us know your feelings then.

oldC5

My poor back hurts looking at them, I am happy that you like them but not my style . I need to stretch out . They are probably good for the track . Keep us informed .

Crosis

The fixed seat is not an option and frankly I dont want the hassle.
I want a bolt in option.

steven31371

I made it a bolt in option by fabing some brackets, cost $30, and two hours with nothing but a saw, a drill, a grinder, and some paint....and will hold about 20,000 lbs so is strong

steven31371

that high front section is all medium density foam and squishes down when sitting on it.

steven31371

I like the way the line of the seat flows with the lines of the car:

steven31371

damilleniumboy

They look good and match your car perfectly!

steven31371

Yeah...only been a couple days

if I had a Coupe or Z/FRC I'd probably get sick of them quick, as getting in and out with the top is like getting into a Lotus Elise...gotta fold yourself lol

took about an hour to get use to them because they conform to your body so well and hold you firm, ya kinda naturally hold yourself stiff in response which is uncomforatable, but then when you learn to relax in the seat its very comfortable for a performance seat.

steven31371

my interior is a work in progress....I'll have that torch red welt cord around the radio bezel going around all the air vents and the seam in the door below the grab handle....and my instrument bezel behind the steering wheel will be torch red soon as well.

Will all tie in nicely I think....and is kinda unique, not a lot of other vettes with interiors quite like mine will be, with the chrome bits, torch red stuff, and black it ties in with the exterior theme hopefully:

steven31371

Yeah, they are a FIA approved racing seat, so good for track, very solid and rigid with a good fit for my body size.

Not for everyone....but I like curvy roads, so they are good for me....and are suprisingly comfortable once you learn to relax in them. They hold you in a great driving position with good padding and are nice and snug without being uncomfortable.

They kind of cocoon you and make you feel a part of the car.

not for everybody, but I thought I would present them because when I was searching for a good performance seat i found many threads on many forums including this one, where bigger guys were having trouble finding a seat that was big enough for them but small enough to fit in the car....thought I'd let folks know about this one.

racebum

did you sit in a recaro pole position before you got those? it's a very similar seat but ortho correct and fits your spine perfectly. to date i have not found a more comfy fixed back seat