[JAM]

Just signed up for my first DE day on April 14 at Poconos South.

Car is in the tip-top shape, I'm psyched up and ready to go.

Got nice helmet, fits me nicely, no problems there.

I've been wearing it for hours around the house, just to get use to it.

Then, I wanted to check how it would feel driving with the helmet on and guess WHAT!?

I DON'T FIT IN!!!

With the seat all way down I'm banging on the hinge for the moonroof. I can't even stretch my neck fully!

Bummer. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Do you guys know any quick fixes to lower the seat down?

Any ideas are appreciated.



TIA

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[ether_joe]

I ran into the same issue. I'm 5'9" and I need to adjust the seat from my normal driving position to accommodate the helmet.



you have the standard partial-power seats? Did you put both front and back sections all the way down? and lean the seat back?

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[JAM]

Yes, standard seats in my car.

Back section is always all the way down, front slightly tilted.

I tried every possible mode and the only way to make it work is to recline back to almost 30 degrees.

Unfortunately, in this position, I'm way to far away from the steering wheel.

I also look like I stole it. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Any way to modify seat guides to gain 1/2" to 1" of height?

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[Anchorman]

Interesting - and frustrating. It sounds like a coupe has less headroom than a cab. I'm 6'2" and, with the seat all the way down, have no trouble fitting in my cab with a helmet on. In fact, I've learned to "lock" the shoulder belt in place by reclining the seat and moving it back, getting the belt to lock by pulling on it sharply, and then moving the seatback up to a more vertical position - and moving the seat forward, pressing my body against the tensioned belt.

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[Jason Judd]

JAM,



I'm an instructor with the Metro NY region, so I'll be there with my 968 as well.



Suggest your rails might need to be changed...get to your local mechanic ASAP and I'm sure they can help.



Who are you using, by the way?



See you at Pocono,



Jason (#47)

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[JAM]

Jason,



Great news! I wasn't aware that I can change only the rails.



I'm using German Auto Repair in Amytiville.

Will give him a call and let you know what he said.



BTW, how much height that will add? Can I do the swap myself?



Thanks,



Jerry #723





Jason,



Just spoke with my mechanic but he's not aware of any method to lower the seat down.



Can you recommend someone?



TIA,

Jerry

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[Jason Judd]

Jerry,



My mistake was maybe thinking you had an aftermarket seat; like a Recaro or Sparco.



I guess you have stock seats?



I'm not sure what's available in that case, but I would hope your mechanic would be able to figure something creative...That's one of the reasons we go to them.



Jason

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[coloradocab]

My solution (I'm 6ft even) is to put a track seat in and remove the bottom cushions when I'm in there with the helmet on. Works fine, and also enhances the "seat of the pants" feel!

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[Jason Judd]

Jerry,



If you're inclined to get a track seat, let me know. I've got a Recaro SPG Pro XL that I've just removed from my car because it's too big for me.



It's a $1,500 seat that I'll sell for $750 because I've used it one season...and because it doesn't fit!



Jason

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[JAM]

Jason,



I'm crazy enough that I might be interested.

Can I try it for fit sometimes tomorrow?

Of course I assume the seating position is lower than with stock one, lol.



Thanks,

Jerry

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[Jason Judd]

Jerry,



E-mail me at flamthrowr@aol.com and we can get together Monday or Tuesday.



You'll definately want to sit in it first, so you can make sure it's a good fit.



Jason

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[Anchorman]

Aw, shucks, I was going to buy the seat - not because I have any intentions of ever using it, but only because Jason is such a nice guy to deal with. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[JWahlsten]

Guys, I am only 5'7" and have a problem with this as well. It has nothing to do with being tall, but everything to do with the design of the roofline. If you look at the way the interior is shaped, the front angles down fairly quickly, and there is a ridge at the front of the sunroof. This was really exacerbated in the 944 with a roll cage in it. The only way I could fit correctly was to get a proper race seat and bolt it to the floor...I think the interior design works out better for someone with longer legs better than someone with a longer torso. Removing the sunvisors helped too.



YMMV, but I came up with this from experience. Heck I know I guy who is 6'7" that used to drive his 944 turbo on the track.

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[sguy]

I agree with Joel. Being under 6' I should fit easily with a helmet, but I have to recline the seat a little more then I would like to fit with a helmet on. It would be interesting to sit in a car without a runroof, I think the runroof intrudes into headroom quite a bit.



Cheers,

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[JAM]

I would have enough headroom with the roof out but according to DE rules it has to stay in and closed.

Hopefully the racing seat will lower the seat down 1/2" to 1" which would be enough for me. I'd like to retain sliders though at least initially so I can dial in the proper fore-aft position. I'll do my first, and hopefully not last, DE with standard seat but also will take the opportunity to talk to people and see what others are doing.

Also, there is a question about seat belts, can I leave stock, shoulder ones or have to upgrade to racing harness? I have heard conflicting stories about that as well.

Like I said, for now I have to take a step back and sort out all options before I make next move. My main concern is that this is my daily driver and I don't want to turn it into a racer, although I could probably live with a nice race seat permanently installed. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[JWahlsten]

The seat is a great piece of safety equipment as well when used in concert with the rest of a package. My plan is not to go back to using harnesses for DE unless I can put in a roll bar, a proper race seat, and a Hans device (or Isaac).



Our cars have very strong roof structures (I've tested it), but a fast roll over will crush it in a heartbeat. With a roll bar you have a chance of keeping your back the same length...If you're stuck in a seat with a harness on, not so much.



I understand this is a philosophical discussion, but I've become more of a safety advocate the more time I spent flying airplanes.



I'm using a harness bar and harnesses for autocross though. Too much movement to stay in the seat without.

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[Jason Judd]

Jerry,



Nice to meet you yesterday...Your car looks very clean.



I was watching you a bit, and your driving line looks really good, congrat's on getting the rhythm of the track.



Looks like a downward slippery slope for you, my friend!



Jason

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[JAM]

Jason,



Likewise, it was my pleasure to meet you.



Thanks for the encouraging words, I enjoyed it a lot.

Unfortunately we only had 2 driving sessions but, in retrospective, maybe that was enough for the first time.

It was definitely enough to engrave it permanently in my memory, I've been reliving the experience in my dreams ever since, lol.



Your car looks impressive. It's a completely different experience to read about all the mods and to see them first hand. It's a beast.



Friday night me and my friend met Mark Anthony Tashjian, proprietor of Formula Motorsports. He mentioned that I should look for Recaro SRD seats, which can be used with shoulder belt and later with 5-point ones. Do you know anything about that model?



I'm planning to attend at least 1 more Poconos session.



BTW, how I can find out my instructor's name, it sorta slipped from my memory. I enjoyed driving with him very much and would to ask for him in the future.



Jerry

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