52 replies to this topic

[turbotoaster]

I knew there was a thread about cheap GRP seats recently but couldnt find it when I was looking on my phone.

 

Anyway a few people had been interested in them and since I not in a position to blow £1600 on seats but need to pull some weight out of my car I decided to give them a go.

 

There are 2 different versions, the OEM Lotus Exige version and Reverie Copies.

 

I went for the Reverie ones because I prefer the look and it appears that the sides are higher offering more lateral support.

 

Went to pick them up from Simon last night, really nice chap with lots of rare elises around.

 

Here are a couple of pictures, interesting how you can give see the imprint of the carbon weave in these, quite cool.

 

 

 

Also I put them on the scales, 3.02kg each so pretty lightweight and not that far off carbon.

 

So the stock seats with rails weigh 9.5kg

 

just got to make some custom subframes for them now as I want them literally touching the floor and the bulkhead as im 6ft3.

 

Fingers crossed they will be less than 1kg including bolts as ill make them from aluminum, meaning a nice 10kg weight saving!

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

10kg each seat?

 

look nice btw, what are you going to do about padding?

Edited by Stuwy has gone fishing, 05 August 2013 - 10:38 AM.

[Darcini]

How on earth do they get away with copying the Reverie seats, even down to the logo?

Unless they have some form of license agreement?

[techieboy]

I'm sure he doesn't have any kind of licence to reproduce them and pretty sure he'd probably not be overly happy with the evidence of the copying here for the world to see.

[Rickwoo118]

10kg each seat?   look nice btw, what are you going to do about padding?

I was wondering about that as well.you will deaf need some sort of padding?

[turbotoaster]

10kg each seat?

 

look nice btw, what are you going to do about padding?

 

The stock leather seats with runners weigh 9.5kg.

 

Im thinking these seats including runners should be about 4.2kg, maybe less depending on how I design the frames. I think 1.15kg should be enough to be able to make them out of aluminum

 

Im not bothering with padding as its a race car and I have enough bum padding naturally, so will be comfy enough for me

 

I would say if your skinny then maybe a little bit of padding at the bottom to keep you from sliding without belts on

[davemate]

Wow, there is copying a design and then there is this. This chap really is leaving himself wide open for a court case.

 

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

CAKE

[Claws]

Copy that, Roger

Edited by Claws, 05 August 2013 - 03:39 PM.

[FLD]

I know there was some debate on these around the mounting points.  Mine didn't fit the VX subframe but I believe they are designed for the lotus one which looks about right.  The seat I have has some serious reinforcement around the mounting points so, although not strictly right as the retaining thread isn't part of the seat structure, they are pretty tough. 

[fiveoclock]

 

10kg each seat?

 

look nice btw, what are you going to do about padding?

 

 its a race car

 

What series are you racing it in?

[A-F_20]

Blimey thats a bit blatant - hope Simon Farren doesn't read this site!

[ArticMonkey]

Blimey thats a bit blatant - hope Simon Farren doesn't read this site!

I'm sure some kind sole will point him in its direction.

[turbotoaster]

 

 

10kg each seat?

 

look nice btw, what are you going to do about padding?

 

 its a race car

 

What series are you racing it in?

 

 

Ill be racing in Time Attack in 2014, this year im building the car ready, 320bhp / 670kg weight/ 300kg of downforce  

[fiveoclock]

 

 

 

10kg each seat?

 

look nice btw, what are you going to do about padding?

 

 its a race car

 

What series are you racing it in?

 

 

Ill be racing in Time Attack in 2014, this year im building the car ready, 320bhp / 670kg weight/ 300kg of downforce  

 

How have you got it down to 670kg!!!!!!  I shall ignore the "racing" bit

Edited by fiveoclock, 05 August 2013 - 08:34 PM.

[fiveoclock]

.

 

Edited by fiveoclock, 05 August 2013 - 08:33 PM.

[turbotoaster]

haha, I thought on the first post I would have mentioned they were going in an s1 elise, but realised I hadnt, would be good to see a vx220 down to that weight!

 

My s1 would be 640kg if I wasnt carrying a turbo and the cooling for it, full doors and a heater.

 

Who has the lightest vx220, cliffe with 800kg?

 

I would imagine you could get a hill climb spec NA vx220 down to less than 750kg if you followed what is done with the lotuses

[fiveoclock]

haha, I thought on the first post I would have mentioned they were going in an s1 elise, but realised I hadnt, would be good to see a vx220 down to that weight!

 

My s1 would be 640kg if I wasnt carrying a turbo and the cooling for it, full doors and a heater.

 

Who has the lightest vx220, cliffe with 800kg?

 

I would imagine you could get a hill climb spec NA vx220 down to less than 750kg if you followed what is done with the lotuses

Mine is around 855kg and I've run out of things to take off!!

[turbotoaster]

Well steveb hill climb car was done to 585kg when it was N/A so theres no way that in the same state a vx220 chassis and engine/transmission is 270kg heavier.

 

So lets go though the basics.

 

 

Lightweight wheels and nuts

thinner front and rear clam with no boot and plenty of holes

thinner roof and bonnet/boot

no heater

2kg battery

lightened hubs

ali bells

T45 wishbones

full interior panel and plastic delete

carbon seats with ali brackets

seat belts removed

stripped doors with inner section cut out and perpex windows

kevlar fuel tank

thinner aluminum undertray and diffuser

ali engine and gearbox mounts

lightweight flywheel

lightweight exhaust with no cat

 

I will think of some more in a minute im sure.

 

 

how much of all those items have you done.

 

Also quick question, where did you get your rear wing from, spoke to a company who is supplying mine and he mention he had supplied one to a vx220 who races

 

 

[fiveoclock]

Done these

 

Lightweight wheels and nuts

thinner front and rear clam with no boot and plenty of holes

thinner roof and bonnet/boot

no heater

2kg battery

lightened hubs

ali bells

T45 wishbones

full interior panel and plastic delete

carbon seats with ali brackets

seat belts removed

stripped doors with inner section cut out and perpex windows

kevlar fuel tank

thinner aluminum undertray and diffuser

ali engine and gearbox mounts

lightweight flywheel

lightweight exhaust with no cat

 

So a bit more to do, I have added the cage though

 

I bought the wing off cliffie, it was on his TA car last year, not sure where he got it from, I know JJJ made the uprights for it

 

My problem is that I cock about taking a couple of kg's out of it here and there then get in it and add about 102kg's!!!!!!

Edited by fiveoclock, 05 August 2013 - 09:14 PM.