Seat safety

[rccardude909]

I had a few questions. I recently went to a local race shop in San Diego and tested out a bunch of different racing seats. At first I was really enthusiastic about the recaro since I thought they were fia approved but upon speaking to the owner of the shop he told me that most reclinable seats regardless from which manufacturer are usually not approved. Only the fixed back seats are. So it then comes down to the quality of the materials, etc and how the seats are made. He highly recommended cobra reclinables but at 900 a seat its way out of my budget. I was also informed that corbeau recently lost all of their fia ratings even in their fixed back seats. I am really interested in the corbeau gtsII seats and im just wondering if anyone knew anything about how the seats are rated and if these would be safe for street. The recaro speeds definitely feel much nicer in terms of construction and materials but they're double the cost. Granted safety equipment comes at a cost but I do have a limited budget. Thanks for your help

[Mossman]

I have no knowledge on the subject and I don't want to get you killed but I'd imagine that mounting the seat weird/differently than stock, different seatbelt angles and failing fasteners would probably me more dangerous than an unsanctioned seat.

I have these really comfortable Porsche seats from a 951 or 968 or something that I love, and I'm going to get around to installing in my vert, but I am concerned that I mount them shittilly and I die in an accident. I'm gonna take pics of my mounting solution and let the internet decide if I'm safe before I ride in em :)

[rccardude909]

Hey thanks a lot for the reply i definitely agree about the seat bracket. I had some seats from an 05 wrx that were really sweet but ended up selling them because no one wanted to take the liability of making seat brackets. And the only brackets available are for the big named aftermarket brand seats. Can someone please shed some light on this.

[AndrewBird]

I still don't believe that the quality of a seat has anything to do with surviving a crash, assuming you don't roll the car.

Your seat belt is going to stop you regardless whether or not the seat stays in place or comes apart.

In a front on collision, the only weight forcing against the seat is the weight of the seat itself. Now, in a rear collision, you are relying on the seat to stop you, but how often are traveling in reverse at high speeds into a solid object?

This is all assuming this is on a street car.

[rccardude909]

Well the arguments of cheaply made seats that ive been reading online is that the reclining mechanism isnt able to support force so that instead of locking in position it could potentially fold in half or release backwards leading to back injuries. It'd definitely be somewhat daunting to drive around in $100 ebay seats that came from a random factory in asia.

[moatilliatta]

bump

[Restoman]

First off does this shop sell Corbeau? Second, testing does cost quite a bit, I'm sure. I would not shy away from a well build seat with a history of well made equipment just because it does not have certification. Just get one that is well made and stay away from cheap seats. Like the guy above try and find factory seats from another car.

[thereisnoyun]

corbeau's

I think the corbeau's are fine. I do emergency stops all the with in my corbeau and there is no problems what so ever from the recliner. Recaro are obviously awesome seats, but I can't justify the cost on my end. I have the money, but I wouldnt spend a grand a seat. Daily driving or tracking Corbeaus are good price seats that are made very well.

[erik325i]

I still don't believe that the quality of a seat has anything to do with surviving a crash, assuming you don't roll the car.

Your seat belt is going to stop you regardless whether or not the seat stays in place or comes apart.

In a front on collision, the only weight forcing against the seat is the weight of the seat itself. Now, in a rear collision, you are relying on the seat to stop you, but how often are traveling in reverse at high speeds into a solid object?

This is all assuming this is on a street car.

What about getting rear ended?

-Erik

[fretburnr]

FIA approval certifies a seat for use in a race environment, with a properly set-up roll cage and approved harnesses. This means it will handle the forces of a human being strapped into a cage, etc.

You probably want to look for DOT approval, or SFI. Real Recaro seats (not ebay reps) are some of the highest quality available, even in their street/reclinable models. I use a Recaro Sport with a DOT-approved street legal Schroth harness (i also use my stock 3 point most of the time) and I have no qualms about my safety in an accident on the street.

[Dirtsquirt]

Now, in a rear collision, you are relying on the seat to stop you, but how often are traveling in reverse at high speeds into a solid object?

This is all assuming this is on a street car.

How often? I dunno but I'll raise my hand...

50mph BACKWARDS into a jersey barrier.

The stock seat never worked right after that, which is why I tossed them and most of that car :'(

[moatilliatta]

woops.