182 replies to this topic

[VIX]

Thanks, I'd already seen the blurb, they look to be exactly what I'm after but I really have to sit in one first to be certain that I fit! I tried a Cobra 7 seat recently and couldn't get into it! I hope you manage to find something that meets your requirements. I'm not sure I'd want higher sides personally (for access reasons) but note that the B5 is so low that it doesn't have cut-outs for the lap belts. But a standard VX seat with harness cut-outs wouldn't either. There doesn't seem to be a lot of choice though.

[techieboy]

Steve, I've had a few conversations with Malcolm Sanders at MSAR about seats and specifically the B5's. And here's a couple of excerpts from the conversations:-

Only problem I know about with seats into a VX is that there can be some restriction on how far back the seats will go. This is only a problem for seats that are quite reclined (tillet is not) and for very tall drivers.

The squab of the B5 is about as wide as the stock Elise seat so it is ok for most people. You don't say your size or weight but I know of a 105kg driver in an Elise with tillet seats.

As far as I know the mounts on the VX are the same dimensions as the Elise so there should be no problem there. I can ask around if you wish.

You are bound to meet up with someone using the B5's and that will be the best test of size.

With MOG there is a "wide" version so even drivers with larger hips can use a MOG and when
racing the extra side support is essential. The B5 is great for a mix of uses but for long stints
at race speeds extra support is useful .. of course getting in and out of a MOG is harder....

You can retain the inertia reel belts with a B5 but you will be much better on track with a 4 point,
By using a Sector 111 kit you can keep the inertia belt and run a 4 point at the same time.

[VIX]

Matt, Thanks for that. It looks as though these could be a starter. Steve Tillett has offered to give a refund if the seat doesn't work for me. He has also confirmed that the width at the back of the seat cushion is ~33 cm which is the same as the VX seat. It's a pity that GPR at Silverstone don't have them - I've checked. I suppose I could just do the schlep to Tillett's in Sittingbourne and try one - going the wrong way round the M25 to avoid the tunnel chaos (I assume it's still bad) only adds ~20 miles to the journey. I'd certainly want the driver's seat to remain adjustable and to retain the standard seat belts. I'd probably complete the package with a Hangar111 bolt in bar and the Lotus Schroth 4pt wrap round harnesses but will chat it through with Steve G first. PS I note the Tillett accessories - cushions and runners add a lot to the price. PPS - Reference to "Sector 111 kit". Does he mean Hangar 111? I thought Sector 111 were only in the US?

Edited by VIX, 07 December 2009 - 05:23 PM.

[techieboy]

PS I note the Tillett accessories - cushions and runners add a lot to the price.

The cushions from the guy making these cheap seats look compatible to me and at a much more sensible price.

Really must resist the CF version.

[VIX]

PS I note the Tillett accessories - cushions and runners add a lot to the price.

The cushions from the guy making these cheap seats look compatible to me and at a much more sensible price.

So the cheap seats are being made?

Edited by VIX, 07 December 2009 - 05:27 PM.

[techieboy]

Nope, it is Sector 111. They get a load of them shipped over. I've got the the Sector 111 inertia reel belt kit along with the Schroth Elise harness here. Fecked if I can work out exactly how these new fixings help and especially how one kit works for two seats.

[techieboy]

So the cheap seata are being made?

Yep. One of the SELOC guys has ordered a pair to see how they fit in his Elise.

[VIX]

Nope, it is Sector 111. They get a load of them shipped over. I've got the the Sector 111 inertia reel belt kit along with the Schroth Elise harness here. Fecked if I can work out exactly how these new fixings help and especially how one kit works for two seats.

Gotcha! Found them on the MSAR site.

[VIX]

So the cheap seata are being made?

Yep. One of the SELOC guys has ordered a pair to see how they fit in his Elise.

Not sure I want to be the VX guinea pig!

[NickB787]

They look good, just wonder about comfort for an every day drive?

[VIX]

Not 100% sure which seats you mean Nick but probably all of them - unfortunately this thread now seems to cover 3 different seats!

The cheap ones don't have an owner's review yet so they remain unknown territory. Only one owner seems to have briefly had the Tillett's clicky. Assuming I can get my @rse into them - which seems likely as they are at least as wide as the VX's - then the only issue is the height of the seat back and whether I'd need to get the headrest restraint off.

I think it will be difficult to match the comfort of the standard seat but have personally discounted the option of cutting holes and fitting grommets for idleness and safety reasons - and the only other options seem to be the VXR-alike seats that Hangar 111 stock or paying out for Lotus seats.

[sc-009]

If you're looking to improve lateral support then I'd be weary of the B5 just because of its shallow sides and back. But, its becuase of its shallow side and back that make it suitable for the larger driver. There are some really good threads on SELOC about the tillet (last 6mnths iirc). I think its "benjam" thats tried most of them and given opinions. IIRC ben is slim but quite tall +6ft. I've not tried them but if you can get to a seat it's worth doing before buying. If you can wait then perhaps pop alont to an ET race as there are normally a few variations in cars.

[techieboy]

Might be worth going to Autosport International at the NEC in January to see what's around. Think I'm going to go this time and see if I can track down a few examples to try out for size and comfort.

[Phil. S]

So the cheap seata are being made?

Yep. One of the SELOC guys has ordered a pair to see how they fit in his Elise.

I was planning to order a pair today, but it turns out that the mounting points for the the Elise S1 runners are slightly different to the VX220 ones. So I will need to get one of my seat runners out and send it up to JK Composites for them to fit the captive nuts in the right place (for an Elise). See the seloc thread here http://forums.seloc....d=243721&page=1

I have been trying to get my hands on a second hand pair f Vx220 runners, as these will fit in an Elise, but without succes. If I did, I'd buy a pair of JKC seats straight out. I have sat in their seats in Westfields and they are very comfortable. The only concern I have with using a modified version of their Vx220 seat is that it will be too wide at the hips. But if that occurred they would take them back. So if you want to sell me a pair of vx220 seat runners I'd hapily be your your ginea pig, and let you try the seats in my car for comfort etc (if I keep them).

If I have to get JKC to modify the seats to fit S1 brackets, I probably won't get a piar until well into January.

[siztenboots]

i am interested in a better drivers seat , but really like the comfort of the my "frogman and tadpole" custom retrim , but it has no harness cutouts and I want something with more support and that can still slide on rails , plus I could really do with an extra inch of headroom when using the hardtop

Edited by siztenboots, 08 December 2009 - 10:34 AM.

[Phil. S]

So has no one on here bought a pair of these seats for their Vx? If so it seems like a lot of people have gone to a lot of trouble for nothing.

[VIX]

I tend to agree with you but I'm not sure the manufacturers ever approached us to find out what we wanted. If the seats sides are too high, aren't readily usable on a daily basis and can't be used with seatbelts then they are going to be of limited appeal. All IMHO of course. PS I'd still like to know where I can try one for size.

Edited by VIX, 09 December 2009 - 09:41 AM.

[techieboy]

Without seeing one and more importantly trying it in the flesh, I'm hardly likely to spend the money on something that's not going to be suitable. We were hoping there was going to be one at the National meet at Anglesey but alas it didn't happen. As it currently stands, due to the high sides it's not going to be suitable for me as I want something I can still use the 3 point belt with for road driving.

[siztenboots]

Without seeing one and more importantly trying it in the flesh, I'm hardly likely to spend the money on something that's not going to be suitable. We were hoping there was going to be one at the National meet at Anglesey but alas it didn't happen. As it currently stands, due to the high sides it's not going to be suitable for me as I want something I can still use the 3 point belt with for road driving.

can you not run the 3 point lap through the side holes , or would that be really uncomfortable and dig in?

[techieboy]

can you not run the 3 point lap through the side holes , or would that be really uncomfortable and dig in?

Can't see how you could do it unless the side holes were fully opened up to the edge of the seat as the diagonal part of the belt would have to go through as well, in it's current guise. That would presumably weaken any side protection of the seat. Without seeing and trying the seat for sure, I can't tell how high the sides are. If it's not really that high maybe the lap belt would still work and hold you properly but I'm not sure I'd want to be the first to try it out in an accident.