I currently have an e36 coupe with an Evo 2/L installed. It's a great seat, but I find I have an odd body shape (6'4", 200lbs, pretty lanky). The seat is a bit too short. The shoulder bolsters/wings are too low (about 5" from the top of my shoulders). Also, I currently don't own a harness, but I do plan to install a simple 4pt rollbar and have a harness mounted to the crossbar. Right now with me sitting in it, the seatback harness pass-throughs are about 2" lower then my traps, so the belts would need to be angled down toward the floor which I don't like (I hear spinal injuries suck)

Also, the shoulder blosters/wings are too narrow and the waist is too wide.

Anyone have any recommendations for another seat, or should I just stop whining and deal with it? It's not an uncomfortable seat any means.

The Sparco Evo L is speced at 34.45 inches in height, and 14.57 inches wide at the waist.

You may want to consider the OMP Extra. It measures 38.8 inches and 15.6 inches, respectively. Unfortunately, the Extra uses steel frame construction and weighs-in at 26.4 lbs. It is, however, FIA homologated.

Another alternative is the OMP Pista. It's measurements are 37.2 inches and 12.8 inches. It has a fiberglass frame, is FIA homologated and weighs 22.22 lbs.

The Sparco Corsa is my final recommendation. It measures 35.98 inches tall and 13.9 inches at the waist. Fiberglass frame, FIA homologation, and 22 lbs.

Good Luck!

Christopher

I found this as well which should help me a bit.
http://www.rallylights.com/Sparco/Sparco%20Images/ST_Sparco_Seat_Chart.pdf

The best one I found for tall torsos was the Cobra Suzuka S.

Also, make sure to pay attention to the angle of the shoulder harnesses coming off the rollbar and passing through the holes in the seats. They really shouldn't come in contact with the seats at all.

6'2" 200lbs, fit very well in a OMP WRC seat.

My upperbody length makes it tuff to find a seat too and the best setup for me was an alum seat. Ill be getting a new custom containment seat or fia seat over the winter to make it even a better fit for me. I see to many guys with the harness holes way off eather to low or high and imo this has a big effect on the harness safety. John how snug was the wrc on you?

I wish it was a bit tighter in the legs/hips area, but it fit me very well in the shoulders. I would get a cramp in my legs after awhile on the big fast tracks from bracing myself. The height was very good however.

Going to be searching for a new seat for the SE36 shortly, or I may do a custom bead seat insert for the WRC.

I currently have an e36 coupe with an Evo 2/L installed. It's a great seat, but I find I have an odd body shape (6'4", 200lbs, pretty lanky). The seat is a bit too short. The shoulder bolsters/wings are too low (about 5" from the top of my shoulders). Also, I currently don't own a harness, but I do plan to install a simple 4pt rollbar and have a harness mounted to the crossbar. Right now with me sitting in it, the seatback harness pass-throughs are about 2" lower then my traps, so the belts would need to be angled down toward the floor which I don't like (I hear spinal injuries suck)

Also, the shoulder blosters/wings are too narrow and the waist is too wide.

Anyone have any recommendations for another seat, or should I just stop whining and deal with it? It's not an uncomfortable seat any means.

I'm 6'3", 200. Year and a half in, I have it solved....Sabelt Taurus XL from Bimmerworld (THANKS JAMES!) on custom mounts welded to the floor. I cut out (and pounded out) the OEM seat mount area. Farking awesome! I'll get you some pics if you need.

6'5", ~200 lbs- sparco pro 2000

This seat has the longest back of any non CF racing shell from sparco

I had custom mounts fabbed at Edge, fits me great with helmet.

We sell Racetech seats, they have a special seat for taller and or wider drivers. www.racetechseatsna.com

Walter Ford
President
Valley Motorwerks

6'2" and 220, I have a Recaro SPG XL that fits me very well. I know a few taller guys that have had custom aluminum seats made for them by Kirkey and the swear by them, it is about the same cost as a good composite seat.

My brother is 6'6" and 210lbs and uses a cobra suzuka CF shell. This could be a great match for you.

Let me know what you are going to do with the Evo2, im interested in a used shell.

http://www.rennsporttulsa.com/images/seats/cobra/suzuka_cf_lg.jpg

6'2" and 220, I have a Recaro SPG XL that fits me very well. I know a few taller guys that have had custom aluminum seats made for them by Kirkey and the swear by them, it is about the same cost as a good composite seat.


Aluminum seats have much stricter requirements for installation compared to a composite seat.

Aluminum seats have much stricter requirements for installation compared to a composite seat.

But when done right they are a super safe solution to those of us not finding a fia seat. Kirkey has some also designed for floor mount so running extra tubes on the floor to use the kirky side mounts is pretty easy for any cage guy to do. The lejoie seats are awsome when it comes to alum. custom fitments. Imo head protection is crutial with the speed of some of our cars. Its all a system with a hands and side nets imo

I agree but for most folks it is too much work. Luckily I cound a compnay that makes fia seats that are made for "normal" sized people... :)

Aluminum seats have much stricter requirements for installation compared to a composite seat.

Do they need anything beyond a seat back brace? Bolt on braces are about $50. The FIA seats also need the brace if they have expired. I am happy with my composite seat but there are a lot of well engineered aluminum containment seats, a lot of development has taken place in this area because of Nascar.

Ditto on the Cobra Suzuka. I am 6-3 215lbs. Great fit. I have the GT width. I also got the Technology foamwith alcantara as opposed to the standard foam and fabric. Very very comfortable. I did not go CF. Kevlar composite is fine and still very light.

Do they need anything beyond a seat back brace? Bolt on braces are about $50. The FIA seats also need the brace if they have expired. I am happy with my composite seat but there are a lot of well engineered aluminum containment seats, a lot of development has taken place in this area because of Nascar.

It needs to be bolted to the cage on the bottom and on the back according to bmwcca rules and the containment seats have very specfic mounting points for it.

My thoughts, 6'4", 225, 36" waist:
-Sparco Pro2000 - great fit and supportive
-Racetech Viper, large - forgot the model, but what I have in the WC car for me. wraps my shoulders nicely and has head protection. Best seat I have EVER been in and has in integrated back support system to tie into the cage
-Sabelt Taurus XL - head protection, a little heavier than above, but about half the price.

If I was 100lbs heavier and 10" taller I'd porb opt for this badboy ;)
Racetech RT 9109 HR
[RT9109HR] $4,995.00



Click to enlarge
The worlds lightest FIA approved head restraint seat 8.3 lbs / 3.6 kgs FIA homologated to 8855-1999 standards Hans device compatible. Suitable for 6 or 7 point harness. Rear spigot for cold air duct with ducted air channels within the seat. Kevlar-carbon fibre shell. Removeable support cushions. Comes in black fabric with grey suede wear patches and a clear gel coating.

http://bergmanracingsupply.com/osCommerce/images/rt9109.jpg


But otherwise you cant go wrong with sparco.

But otherwise you cant go wrong with sparco.
Or the Viper spec Racetech that is over $3k less and about 5# more weight...

Or the Viper spec Racetech that is over $3k less and about 5# more weight...

Which one, the 21lb model? This?

http://www.racetechseatsna.com/images/4009whrv.jpg


Also, make sure you try the seat with suit, helmet and hans on, ready to go.

All these are awesome seats, the "best" one is the one that fits you best and allows you the most visbility and comfort. Don't let the price skew your choice, as long as it has the proper rating, get the one that has comfort in mind for your specific body.

I picked up these from my friends place (aka sabelt usa) real nice if you are *not* a big&tall dude :) Its essentially the same as Sparco, Sabelt does the higher end safety testing though, some really cool sled test videos from the mfg.

http://sabeltusa.com/images/sabeltseats/taurus.jpg


And in car so far.

http://www.jaffster.com/E46M3/9-4-06/main/frontleft.jpg

http://www.jaffster.com/E46M3/9-4-06/main/rearleft.jpg

Right - I would have to look up the model number, but it comes without the Viper logo also.

Have you tried removing the bottom seat cushion? I find this lowers my 6'3", 205 lbs. frame another inch in that seat. This is the simplest solution. The only other "big" seat I find comfortable is the Cobra Suzuka GT; it fits perfectly, and the belt guides are higher.

Brian Hair
Bimmer3

My thoughts, 6'4", 225, 36" waist:
-Sparco Pro2000 - great fit and supportive
-Racetech Viper, large - forgot the model, but what I have in the WC car for me. wraps my shoulders nicely and has head protection. Best seat I have EVER been in and has in integrated back support system to tie into the cage
-Sabelt Taurus XL - head protection, a little heavier than above, but about half the price.

I have the Sparco Pro2000 in my M3's driver side and Recaro Pole Position on the passenger side (it accommodates a wider range of passenger widths...). I am 6-4, 200 pounds, 34" waist. I flat-out LOVE the Pro2000, for the reasons James describes. In addition, you can move the kidney pads around top find just the right fit. This seat was also in the Bimmerworld WC car I drove, and I felt right at home.

I have not tried the other two yet.

I have done a lot of track time on Sparco Pro2000's and find them to be too tight around the hips, I have a 38 waist. My Recaro SPG XL seriously fits me like a glove. If you have a larger waist give the Recaros a try. You should go to a shop or the track and try out as many seats as possible before you buy.

I find the Cobra Evolution GT to be a great seat for myself. (6'3 194- 34 waist) The head protection is in a great spot and does not interfere with my shoulders and Im pretty broad up top. I've never felt so relaxed and comfortable in a seat before. No cramps from supporting myself through turns since the high bolsters take care of it. We use them with Sparco side mounts bolted to VAC floor mounts. Coulnt get anymore solid then this combination

I have done a lot of track time on Sparco Pro2000's and find them to be too tight around the hips, I have a 38 waist. My Recaro SPG XL seriously fits me like a glove. If you have a larger waist give the Recaros a try. You should go to a shop or the track and try out as many seats as possible before you buy.

How about shoulder harness height? Recaro's seem lower (depending on model). I have not treid the SPG XL

C.

Have you tried removing the bottom seat cushion?

I have tried that. Apparently I have a pretty bony ass (so my girlfriend tells me) and I can't sit in the seat for more than 15 minutes in the seat without the bottom pad. And it's not comfortable at all.

Racetech Viper Spec Big&tall head restraint seat. I don't have this
but will go this way when the time comes.

http://www.racetechseatsna.com/race_seats/RT9009.html

Dave
6'6" 230 lbs
98 M3/4

Racetech Viper Spec Big&tall head restraint seat. I don't have this
but will go this way when the time comes.


There you go. I went to the PRI show and sat in lots of seats last year. This was the only one that was comfortable and had the shoulder belts the right place so they didn't compress my spine. Very supportive also and extremely safe.

Are there tall seats that fit narrow torsos though? I'm just tall, but lanky.

Get a custom insert made - one of the tall seats will fit like a glove.

I currently have an e36 coupe with an Evo 2/L installed. It's a great seat, but I find I have an odd body shape (6'4", 200lbs, pretty lanky). The seat is a bit too short. The shoulder bolsters/wings are too low (about 5" from the top of my shoulders). Also, I currently don't own a harness, but I do plan to install a simple 4pt rollbar and have a harness mounted to the crossbar. Right now with me sitting in it, the seatback harness pass-throughs are about 2" lower then my traps, so the belts would need to be angled down toward the floor which I don't like (I hear spinal injuries suck)

Also, the shoulder blosters/wings are too narrow and the waist is too wide.

Anyone have any recommendations for another seat, or should I just stop whining and deal with it? It's not an uncomfortable seat any means.
I'm 6'3", 200 lbs, tall torso. I ran a set of Sparco Evo L "big boys" all last year and was swimming in them. Way too wide. Your build sounds similar. Ever try the "standard" width (read: skinny) EVO?

We're about to buy 4 seats for 2 race cars we're building so I sat in a bunch of seats at a National event recently. Of all of them I liked the Corbeau FX1 the best. $299, FIA, fiberglass, side mount - it may not be up to your standard if you had a Kevlar seat before. The FX-1 GT is narrower (specs thow it 2" narrower) but they didn't have one there. The BIG BOY FX1 model is for even larger hips/asses, and it was too wide for me.

You guys and your $3000-5000 seats - not in a price range I could stomach. :confused

Good luck,

I found the standard Evo (and Corsa) to be too narrow for my shoulders, it felt like my upper back wasn't even touching the seat. It fit great everywhere else though. And that seat still wouldn't remedy the harness passthough issues (it's about 3" or so below the tops of my traps).

How does the racetech big and tall and the sabelt taurus xl compare size wise? I fit in the big recaros but the head protection is partly on my sholders so they dont work at all. I was looking at a lajoie seat but for the money these too seem like the way to go.

Are there tall seats that fit narrow torsos though? I'm just tall, but lanky.
Nelson, did you ever find a seat that fits you well? I'm 6'3" and well south of 200 lbs, so I share your concerns.

James, any recommendations for someone who could do a quality seat insert in the Chicago area?

Thanks,
Cliff

James, any recommendations for someone who could do a quality seat insert in the Chicago area?

Thanks,
Cliff


Make one yourself. Give BaldSpotSports a call and order a beadseat. Get a friend to come over and help you do it (can be done by yourself though). Works great and will give you a safe alternative to fitting into a large seat.

Or just get a bunch of velcro on pads from OMp/Sparco.

Thanks - I may give Bald Spot a call to see what they recommend. Hopefully they have a smaller bag available, as it looks like even their "small" kit would be way more than I need. 72"x60" bag would probably be pretty unwieldy when making just a torso insert...

The padded inserts would probably help hold the driver in position while driving, but I'd think they would deform too much to be very useful in an impact.

Cliff

Great seat for tall and slim guy is the OMP WRC seat. Will Turner turned me onto the seat as its what he uses. I can get pretty good pricing on both versions of the seat (CF/Kevlar & Fiberglass). I'm 6'2" and Will has a good inch on me.

Nelson, did you ever find a seat that fits you well? I'm 6'3" and well south of 200 lbs, so I share your concerns.

I'm just going to settle with my Evo L until I actually get a cage/harness put in. Then I'll worry about it. This thread has been favorited already :)

Great seat for tall and slim guy is the OMP WRC seat.
Thanks, John. I'll have to find a few seats to try on for size. If the OMP works, I'll give you a call for pricing.

Cliff

Thanks - I may give Bald Spot a call to see what they recommend. Hopefully they have a smaller bag available, as it looks like even their "small" kit would be way more than I need. 72"x60" bag would probably be pretty unwieldy when making just a torso insert...

The padded inserts would probably help hold the driver in position while driving, but I'd think they would deform too much to be very useful in an impact.

Cliff

Its ok, you can save the extra and make an insert for someone else :)

Its custom sizeable once you get it. Its basically a big bag of foam beads, and they give you the two part resin/epoxy. You just put the extra into a hefty garbage bag, and store the extra resin (shelf life is not that long though, so try to get someone else to split it with you soon).

It'll be by far the most comfortable seat you have EVER sat in, I can garuntee that. I make entire seats with that stuff (yes entire, just fill the entire cockpit of a formuls car with it and sit in), its amazing!

The less your body has to strain to stay comfortbly seated, the more strength you'll have to concentrate on driving. Its been proven time and time again with very substantial results, how much energy your body saves when its not straining to keep a certain physical position. And Bald Spot is pretty much the top company when it comes to advanced seating.

IMHO for a big / tall guy the Racetech seat is a good choice. We outfitted a guy 6' 6" with one... People are all proportioned differently, I would not pay for a seat unless I sat in it first. (Actually I did and regretted it!)

Are there any companies that make custom (made to measure) seats?
I have a Sparco EVO XL, which is O.K. but wish it had more lateral support.

Are there any companies that make custom (made to measure) seats?
I have a Sparco EVO XL, which is O.K. but wish it had more lateral support.
The problem with that is FIA certification for the sizes.

Cobra and the Racetech big & tall sizes seam to be the best options.

I have the exact same problem. I have a Recaro SRD and the harness guides were perfect-- right above the shoulder. However, I want to switch to a fixed back. I tried on EVERYTHING from Sparco and the harness guides were too low on all. I found that the Recaro SPG XL had tall enought harness guides to work. The local race shop told me that Sparco was coming out with an Evo L Plus that may work. I'm waiting to try that on (be nice to save $150 off the Recaro), otherwise I'm going with the Recaro.

BTW, I'm 6,5 220 with a 36 waist FWIW, but it's impossible to buy a seat based on these kinds of threads and the seat dimensions on the websites. You just gotta sit in a lot of seats.

Good luck.

I have the Sparco Pro2000 in my M3's driver side and Recaro Pole Position on the passenger side (it accommodates a wider range of passenger widths...). I am 6-4, 200 pounds, 34" waist. I flat-out LOVE the Pro2000, for the reasons James describes. In addition, you can move the kidney pads around top find just the right fit. This seat was also in the Bimmerworld WC car I drove, and I felt right at home.

I have not tried the other two yet.

i have and like the pro2000 also....however, the holes for the harness are too low. i am only 6' and my torso is about as tall as it can be and still have the shoulder harnesses come off the hans device and get into the harness holes in the seat without too much deflection. the harness openings need to be about 2 in higher in this seat. mine is a 2003, maybe they have fixed this on newer p2000's.

Back from the dead!

This discussion has helped me narrow down to a few choices, but none of the measurement diagrams have a distance from the seat bottom to the shoulder harness passes , seems kind of silly to not include that dimension. There isn't anywhere near by that I can try out a bunch of seats, other than asking people at track days etc, but this year I'm installing 6pt harnesses and I need to figure out a seat before the season starts.

I am 6'4, 190lbs and lanky. From the seat cushion to the top of my shoulders is 28"

In a corbeau forza, if the back was about 4" taller, it would be perfect. I tried the removing the cushion trick, but this still leaves me wanting the shoulder bolsters and harness slots 2-3" higher up. The top of my ears is about even with the top of the seat back. Basically if the seat was chopped right below the shoulder bolsters and 4" was added, it would perfect!

Could anyone do a favor and take dimensions like this I'm most interested in the cushion to the top of the harness slots. Red is what the seat is now, green is what I need to find in a seat. I also need to keep in mind that people of different sizes will be in the car instructing me, or even driving. So it would be nice to have the bigger harness slots like on the sparco/omp seats so that anyone in the car would be able to safely use the harness.

Price range, well I'd prefer something below $600 each, but will spend what I have to. I'm installing a rear roll bar/harness bar with the seats, but can't finish that until I've got the final seat position figured out.



Thanks for any assistance!

good luck with brackets...im only 5'11" and had to make my own after all others failed.

I'm 6'5", 225 (and dropping;). I am very proportional, that is I'm not all torso or all legs. I sat in every seat I could find and my problem was I could not get the harness guides above my shoulders. The ONLY seat that worked was the Recaro SPG XL (I remove the cushions and it's perfect). As I recall, the SPG was narrower, but the guides were the same height. Luckily, a friend was selling one used so I got a good deal, but I was prepared to suck it up and spend $900 on a properly fitting seat. Try out the Recaro.

good luck with brackets...im only 5'11" and had to make my own after all others failed.

I realize that a side mount is pretty much my only option, and probably a custom piece at that, but thanks for the heads up. :)

I'm 6'5", 225 (and dropping;). I am very proportional, that is I'm not all torso or all legs. I sat in every seat I could find and my problem was I could not get the harness guides above my shoulders. The ONLY seat that worked was the Recaro SPG XL (I remove the cushions and it's perfect). As I recall, the SPG was narrower, but the guides were the same height. Luckily, a friend was selling one used so I got a good deal, but I was prepared to suck it up and spend $900 on a properly fitting seat. Try out the Recaro.

Thanks for the recommendations! If it's not too much trouble could you please take a measurement of the seat back from the cushion up to the harness slots and shoulder bolsters?

pm me and i can tell you how i overcame the e36 limitations...im not sure if you are faced with similar problems. most brackets dont get you close enough to the tranny tunnel...thus the driver is not located in front of the steering wheel. but yeah custom side mounts are the answer.

I'm going to be getting a pair of Sparco Evo2 Plus that just came out in a few weeks along with a TCK roll bar for safety of course.

The Plus is the same width as the standard Evo2 but is taller and has the harness slot positioned higher.

I'm 6'1 185 and that seat fits me perfectly. I'm so excited to lose the Vaders and DD in these.:redspot

I'm going to be getting a pair of Sparco Evo2 Plus that just came out in a few weeks along with a TCK roll bar for safety of course.

The Plus is the same width as the standard Evo2 but is taller and has the harness slot positioned higher.

I'm 6'1 185 and that seat fits me perfectly. I'm so excited to lose the Vaders and DD in these.:redspot

Bah, just got an Evo 2 yesterday and the slots are too low. Honestly, I'm not surprised - it can always work in the passenger side.

well let me know if you want a evo2plus.
i may have an "in";):D
shoot me a pm