Sharpie
20th October 2004, 04:32 PM
So I thought I?d put some words together about my experiences from testing an aftermarket seat out in a showroom, to buying, to fitting to the car.
I have always thought the stock mkiv seats where not that supportive in holding the drivers body, I?m sure this might differ with different body shapes but, to give you an idea I?m 12st, 6? 3? with a 34? waist. I have always had to hang on to the steering wheel while my body would slide across the seat due to them being leather (UK Car) this was only exaggerated once I had the CW suspension fitted so, I had to do something if I?m thinking of some track days.
I have only ever read that Sparco manufacture a Supra specific subframes and really did not want to take any chances with a generic subframe and it needing to be butchered?.I?m no butcher and even more so when it comes to the Soop.
So, I searched the web and car mags for traders who sold Sparco seats and got in contact with most of them, only a few replied but, only one in the UK had a showroom where I could get my arse into one to see if I liked them ? Demon Tweeks in North Wales. Fortunately, I have family in the Northwest so, took a detour on the way up via CW?s as he was happy to loan me his discount card and offer some free advice on seats, cheers Chris!
DT?s is a bitch to find but, only ~30mins from CW?s. Once there I was very happy to see almost every aftermarket car seat available on the market however, the Milano seat was the only Sparco seat not there. I tested lots of seats out from all suppliers but, I had Sparco in my head before I had even got there really as most of us have seen them fitted to Soops in the US so, know they fit OK ? I have heard that some seats will not let you close the car doors very well (too wide) and that some of these lightweight seats the seat back flexes?.I wanted a proper seat, OEM style which, also allowed the missus to use them too so, weight was not a factor.
I sat in the Torino2 for around 15mins, went to look at the car parts then back in the seat?I was back and forth many times in the 70mins or so that I was there testing other seats out but, always came back to the Sparco seat eventually coming away - dragged by the missus - happy that the Milano would be fine.
I checked on the Sparco site and the dimensions of the Torino2 and the Milano2 were exactly the same size so, I contacted the usual suspects (traders) and some others not on here and found Dusty at MVP (link below) was able to offer a price which was within my budget. I got such a good deal that I was able to purchase the Sparco Harness bar and 3? SFI Approved Harnesses too.
What do you need to order:
Seat fits either side, Subframe (L or R) sliders and fixing kit. + some 10 or 12mm nuts and bolts from any DIY store for the seatbelt securing device, red button thing? if you want to fit this onto the subframe.
How to build:
I built up the seats putting the sliders on first then the subframe onto the sliders, removed the seatbelt locking devices (red button) off the stock seats and then removed the stock seat out of the car. I place the Sparco seat into position and added the seatbelt locking device onto the bolt before inserting it into the rear stock mounting on the transmission tunnel, then a fitted the other sock bolts. There is a lip on the subframe for the seatbelt device to be attached but, the 10mm bolts that I got were too long so, this is why the subframe location was not used. (I?ll get some shorter bolts soon).
I was limited for time so, spent a couple of nights just doing a little here and a little there but, when it came to the second seat I had this built, stock seat removed and new seat installed in 1hr, I was not rushing but, there is not a lot to it really.
Ordering, Shipping, Customs etc.. was all easy as Dusty has been doing this a while now and he had all the time in the world to answer my 30+ emails about almost every aspect of my order. He does reply very quickly to your emails!
Someone ask for a list of pro?s and con?s so, here you are:
? Cons
? You loose the electrics in the drivers seat
? You loose height adjustment ? I?m 6? 3? and it is fine
? You loose the heated seat
? 2kgs heavier per seat than stock
? It is a little bit more awkward getting in and out ? You just need to get used to it.
? Pros :
? Much more support than stock seats
? No sliding around on the leather in fast corners
? Very comfy seats, much better than stock ? better ride quality
? Lumbar support ? this is great!
? Supra specific sub frame which, uses the stock mounting holes/bolts
? Allows the use of the stock seatbelt fittings - The bit you plug the belt into.
? It is allowing me to utilize CW?s suspension so much more, I can take a much tighter line through corners now, if I choose too.
General Info:
? Tilt the seat back for access into the rear ? just like stock
? I did not buy the Milano seats to reduce weight, If I wanted to reduce weight I would have gone for a ?competition? Sparco seat rather than a street version.
? NO height adjustment ? This concerned me at first as I always have the drivers seat set at the lowest level, the new height of the seat is set and gives a more commanding driving position, I really like it now and should have done this with the stock seat but, does takes a few days to get used to it. It had just become second nature to drop the seat on any car that I have ever purchased for the last 10+ years.
Some of the info I used:
http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_street.asp?id=96
http://www.sparcousa.com/Seat_Dim_Guide.pdf
http://www.mvpmotorsports.com/Merchant/supramkiv.shtml
http://www.sfifoundation.com
I have always thought the stock mkiv seats where not that supportive in holding the drivers body, I?m sure this might differ with different body shapes but, to give you an idea I?m 12st, 6? 3? with a 34? waist. I have always had to hang on to the steering wheel while my body would slide across the seat due to them being leather (UK Car) this was only exaggerated once I had the CW suspension fitted so, I had to do something if I?m thinking of some track days.
I have only ever read that Sparco manufacture a Supra specific subframes and really did not want to take any chances with a generic subframe and it needing to be butchered?.I?m no butcher and even more so when it comes to the Soop.
So, I searched the web and car mags for traders who sold Sparco seats and got in contact with most of them, only a few replied but, only one in the UK had a showroom where I could get my arse into one to see if I liked them ? Demon Tweeks in North Wales. Fortunately, I have family in the Northwest so, took a detour on the way up via CW?s as he was happy to loan me his discount card and offer some free advice on seats, cheers Chris!
DT?s is a bitch to find but, only ~30mins from CW?s. Once there I was very happy to see almost every aftermarket car seat available on the market however, the Milano seat was the only Sparco seat not there. I tested lots of seats out from all suppliers but, I had Sparco in my head before I had even got there really as most of us have seen them fitted to Soops in the US so, know they fit OK ? I have heard that some seats will not let you close the car doors very well (too wide) and that some of these lightweight seats the seat back flexes?.I wanted a proper seat, OEM style which, also allowed the missus to use them too so, weight was not a factor.
I sat in the Torino2 for around 15mins, went to look at the car parts then back in the seat?I was back and forth many times in the 70mins or so that I was there testing other seats out but, always came back to the Sparco seat eventually coming away - dragged by the missus - happy that the Milano would be fine.
I checked on the Sparco site and the dimensions of the Torino2 and the Milano2 were exactly the same size so, I contacted the usual suspects (traders) and some others not on here and found Dusty at MVP (link below) was able to offer a price which was within my budget. I got such a good deal that I was able to purchase the Sparco Harness bar and 3? SFI Approved Harnesses too.
What do you need to order:
Seat fits either side, Subframe (L or R) sliders and fixing kit. + some 10 or 12mm nuts and bolts from any DIY store for the seatbelt securing device, red button thing? if you want to fit this onto the subframe.
How to build:
I built up the seats putting the sliders on first then the subframe onto the sliders, removed the seatbelt locking devices (red button) off the stock seats and then removed the stock seat out of the car. I place the Sparco seat into position and added the seatbelt locking device onto the bolt before inserting it into the rear stock mounting on the transmission tunnel, then a fitted the other sock bolts. There is a lip on the subframe for the seatbelt device to be attached but, the 10mm bolts that I got were too long so, this is why the subframe location was not used. (I?ll get some shorter bolts soon).
I was limited for time so, spent a couple of nights just doing a little here and a little there but, when it came to the second seat I had this built, stock seat removed and new seat installed in 1hr, I was not rushing but, there is not a lot to it really.
Ordering, Shipping, Customs etc.. was all easy as Dusty has been doing this a while now and he had all the time in the world to answer my 30+ emails about almost every aspect of my order. He does reply very quickly to your emails!
Someone ask for a list of pro?s and con?s so, here you are:
? Cons
? You loose the electrics in the drivers seat
? You loose height adjustment ? I?m 6? 3? and it is fine
? You loose the heated seat
? 2kgs heavier per seat than stock
? It is a little bit more awkward getting in and out ? You just need to get used to it.
? Pros :
? Much more support than stock seats
? No sliding around on the leather in fast corners
? Very comfy seats, much better than stock ? better ride quality
? Lumbar support ? this is great!
? Supra specific sub frame which, uses the stock mounting holes/bolts
? Allows the use of the stock seatbelt fittings - The bit you plug the belt into.
? It is allowing me to utilize CW?s suspension so much more, I can take a much tighter line through corners now, if I choose too.
General Info:
? Tilt the seat back for access into the rear ? just like stock
? I did not buy the Milano seats to reduce weight, If I wanted to reduce weight I would have gone for a ?competition? Sparco seat rather than a street version.
? NO height adjustment ? This concerned me at first as I always have the drivers seat set at the lowest level, the new height of the seat is set and gives a more commanding driving position, I really like it now and should have done this with the stock seat but, does takes a few days to get used to it. It had just become second nature to drop the seat on any car that I have ever purchased for the last 10+ years.
Some of the info I used:
http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_street.asp?id=96
http://www.sparcousa.com/Seat_Dim_Guide.pdf
http://www.mvpmotorsports.com/Merchant/supramkiv.shtml
http://www.sfifoundation.com