researching lightweight performance seats

[dtbaker61]

I'm starting to research lightweight performance seats for the front....

I dislike the factory seats:
- too heavy
- too bouncy
- not enough shoulder bolster for hard cornering
- can't tip seat for desired support
- dislike leather/leatherette when cold, and even worse when hot driving in shorts

I am looking for seats that:
- lightest weight possible at 'reasonable' price, meaning less than $750 per seat
- retain for/aft slider in case different height person drives my car, but fixed tilt bucket would be ok
- much better side shoulder bolster for hard cornering
- prefer fabric rather than leather/leatherette for breath-ability and less sliding when cold and sticking on bare skin when hot
- relatively firm seats are fine, I generally am driving less than 1 hour at a time, I don't need or want much padding or bounce

has anyone found any favorites that can be found new aftermarket, or turn up on eBay?

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[BMT1071]

I'm starting to research lightweight performance seats for the front....

I dislike the factory seats:
- too heavy
- too bouncy
- not enough shoulder bolster for hard cornering
- can't tip seat for desired support
- dislike leather/leatherette when cold, and even worse when hot driving in shorts

I am looking for seats that:
- lightest weight possible at 'reasonable' price, meaning less than $750 per seat
- retain for/aft slider in case different height person drives my car, but fixed tilt bucket would be ok
- much better side shoulder bolster for hard cornering
- prefer fabric rather than leather/leatherette for breath-ability and less sliding when cold and sticking on bare skin when hot
- relatively firm seats are fine, I generally am driving less than 1 hour at a time, I don't need or want much padding or bounce

has anyone found any favorites that can be found new aftermarket, or turn up on eBay?

Just a few things to consider:
You could likely get the foam changed out and the covers changed at an upholstery shop for a lot less than new seats.
Removing the seat control module/motors may turn on warnings you can't get rid of.
Do you know what the factory seats weigh so you can determine how much, if any, weight you are saving?

 

[Carsinmyblood]

Second the trip to an upholstery shop. They can sculpt the foam to fit you better and likely re-install the OEM covers without alterations.

 

[Mach-Tony]

Second the trip to an upholstery shop. They can sculpt the foam to fit you better and likely re-install the OEM covers without alterations.

Bad idea, my dad owns an upholstery shop. If you go to a cheap shop they will remove the foam and put the factory covers back on, leaving you with ugly wrinkles. They can be repairs with a different type of foam but you will see wear wrinkles in their areas because the material will deform at a much faster rate. In other words, it will end up looking like a cheap car in a few months.

 

[dtbaker61]

Just a few things to consider:
You could likely get the foam changed out and the covers changed at an upholstery shop for a lot less than new seats.
Removing the seat control module/motors may turn on warnings you can't get rid of.
Do you know what the factory seats weigh so you can determine how much, if any, weight you are saving?

all good points, and yes I will be answering these exact questions before I spend somewhere between $300-$700 per seat.

So far Im looking at Corbeau FX1-pro, which weigh about 19#.... stock seats are probably 50# or more, but I will pull one first to see.... and probably check in with local shop to see what it would cost to stiffen bolsters and re-cover with a microsuede or cloth. My guess is at least $300 per seat.

 

[dtbaker61]

Second the trip to an upholstery shop. They can sculpt the foam to fit you better and likely re-install the OEM covers without alterations.

I dislike the OEM covers.... I want cloth/microsuede.
combined with my priority for more shoulder bolster for hard cornering I doubt I can 'modify' the OEM seats for less than buying after-market fixed bucket racing/tuner seats.

So far I've found a decent option with the 19# Corbeau fx1-pro for about $400
and a really nice looking option, 22# Cobra Nogaro , but its $1200 per seat

 

[AjzRide]

I love my Braum seats I bought for my factory five project.

https://www.braumracing.com/universal-racing-seats/

 

[dtbaker61]

I love my Brain seats I bought for my factory five project.

https://www.braumracing.com/universal-racing-seats/

Looks interesting, I'll spend some more time digging in to the website. Can you share the actual weight and cost and tell me a little more about your factory five project?

 

[AjzRide]

I’m using the Elite-X series seat. While not the lightest at 25 pounds, they are definitely more of a street oriented versus track oriented option. Very comfortable and have a luxury look and feel.

As for the factory five project… I have a first gen 818 roadster that has a 2006 STi drivetrain installed mostly per the FFR manual, but the body and interior are almost 100% custom fabricated including mechanical linkage shifter, OEM dash with digital cluster, made from scratch Targa top and side windows, and every body panel modified.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?31639-Aj-s-818S-in-Houston

 

[dtbaker61]

I’m using the Elite-X series seat. While not the lightest at 25 pounds, they are definitely more of a street oriented versus track oriented option. Very comfortable and have a luxury look and feel.

As for the factory five project… I have a first gen 818 roadster that has a 2006 STi drivetrain installed mostly per the FFR manual, but the body and interior are almost 100% custom fabricated including mechanical linkage shifter, OEM dash with digital cluster, made from scratch Targa top and side windows, and every body panel modified.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?31639-Aj-s-818S-in-Houston

nice build!
now all you need to do is pull the ICE motor, and transplant the powertrain from the Mach-e....

 

[AjzRide]

There is a guy building a K-1 Attack with a Tesla drivetrain. Very well done video series:

https://www.youtube.com/c/ElectricSuperCar/videos


As for me, the 818 was bought on the cheap to be a car I could practice fabricating body panels from scratch on. I'm hoping to DIY a 2019 Ford GT since I'll never qualify to buy one.

 

[Carsinmyblood]

I love my Braum seats I bought for my factory five project.

https://www.braumracing.com/universal-racing-seats/

When I built my '34 Ford hot rod (Outlaw Performance) I used Fiero seats and had them done in leather.

 

[dtbaker61]

There is a guy building a K-1 Attack with a Tesla drivetrain. Very well done video series:

https://www.youtube.com/c/ElectricSuperCar/videos


As for me, the 818 was bought on the cheap to be a car I could practice fabricating body panels from scratch on. I'm hoping to DIY a 2019 Ford GT since I'll never qualify to buy one.

shoot man, go for the gt-40 and slap a mach-e power train under there!
I'm just waiting for a few more 'totaled' mach-e to see if I can put together front.rear, and controller/inverter to upgrade my eMiata from 120kw DC RWD to 190kW AWD

 

[AjzRide]

When I built my '34 Ford hot rod (Outlaw Performance) I used Fiero seats and had them done in leather.

Fiero seats can be very nice when recovered, but are getting hard to find.

 

[dtbaker61]

Fiero seats can be very nice when recovered, but are getting hard to find.

I used lotus seats in my eMiata, but $1000 for pair was a little steep for used.... I like them, but not enuf padding for most people....

I might still look for a pair used Since they have a low entry lap cutout that works pretty well with regular seat belts.

But the Corbeau are lookin good for new

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