Driving/Seat Position

[JGood]

your side mirrors should not duplicate your rear view mirror, they should start where your blind spot is in your rear view.

This is something people need to do. Not should do, but NEED TO DO. I get in other peoples cars, and I can see more of the side of the car out of the rearview then I can the side mirrors. They have them angled down at the tires for parking, or straight up so that the sun goes in their eyes, or inward so they can see their own stupid faces, but not outward where they should be.

[briansjacobs]

my seating position is the same regardless of what car I am in. My race car or my E46 or my Denali. Seating position is the same in all and mirrors are set the same on my street cars as my race car.

when in the seat your wrist should rest comfortably on the steering wheel with a nice bend at your elbows. your side mirrors should not duplicate your rear view mirror, they should start where your blind spot is in your rear view.

[Massive Lee]

How did you mount your seat against the floor?

You can do something like that (old, old pictures).
Take note that a floorpan was actually cut and used to mock up. Seat was moved toward the tranny tunnel to center with the steering wheel, and to clear the seat's shoulder with the cage. The sidemounts are the 6 years old prototypes.now shorter. Aluminum angles are from any hardware store. You only need a drill.

[ck_taft325is]

How'd you get the idea at 6'8" that an e30 would be a great choice of car? I'm not hating, I think it's awesome. I've just been friends that were sky scraper built and they wouldn't even ride in it for fear of not fitting.

[makard]

How did you mount your seat against the floor?

My RaceTech seat has the rear of the bottom bolted directly to the floor and it is tilted so that the front is supported by Aluminum spacer plate. The seat also is attached to a larger than required seat-back brace. This configuration absolutely maximizes headroom. :)

[CincinnatiKid]

At 6'8", my seat is mounted against the floor (to provide required 2" clearance of helmet to roof) and nearly all the way against the sheet metal upright for the rear seat (to provide leg room). We extended the steering column and lowered it so the steering wheel is reasonably close (wrist at top of steering wheel with arm extended). Due to lack of headroom/leg room in virtually every vehicle made, I've never had the opportunity to drive in the "race" seating position, so I've always been in the "gangsta position" when I drive. Being accustomed to such, I've never been able to understand why folks make it out to be such a big deal....comfortable & secure is what I think is truly most important. ;-)

How did you mount your seat against the floor?

[BimmerScreamer]

I found this write up,

http://www.e30m3project.com/e30m3per...g_position.htm


My self, I am 5 10 so I have room to play with, right now I have a Sparco speed and a deep dish omp wheel. Most other people who sit in my seat say they feel crowded by the wheel but I like it. I also have a tall AKG shifter so everything is close, I like how the shifter is almost a forward reach from the wheel.

[einstein57]

I'm six one and I sit one click back and two clicks tilted. I can't sit upright with a helmet. Just got a sparco junior to remedy that.

[gearheadE30]

I'm 6'4" with a corbeau CR1 for track/autox stuff, but sport seats otherwise. I sit pretty close to the wheel, but with my build it makes it very difficult to get the wrist on the rim of the wheel bit, because I can't tilt the seat forward enough without hitting my head. Thus, I have a bit more lean than I'd like, but its the same with both seats. On the street I usually sit a click or two further back. any more than that and I can't heel and toe smoothly enough.

[makard]

At 6'8", my seat is mounted against the floor (to provide required 2" clearance of helmet to roof) and nearly all the way against the sheet metal upright for the rear seat (to provide leg room). We extended the steering column and lowered it so the steering wheel is reasonably close (wrist at top of steering wheel with arm extended). Due to lack of headroom/leg room in virtually every vehicle made, I've never had the opportunity to drive in the "race" seating position, so I've always been in the "gangsta position" when I drive. Being accustomed to such, I've never been able to understand why folks make it out to be such a big deal....comfortable & secure is what I think is truly most important. ;-)

[CincinnatiKid]

I'm 6'5" with corbeau cr1 seats and normal locking slider, my helmet hits the headliner, it sucks and I'm currently looking for an alternative to sit lower.

[vrchards]

I'm 6'5", so my seat is pretty far back. When I reach my arm out, my wrist is even with the top of the steering wheel. I sit fairly upright to get a better view, and it is also better for my back.

[markseven]

adjustment
what is this adjustment

• Balls of feet should be able to touch the angled area of the floorboard behind the pedals (this means your waist is close enough to the pedals so that your legs have enough leverage to brake and modulate effectively)
• Wrists should extend just past the steering wheel rim, allowing the hands to hang down (this means your torso is close enough to the wheel so that your arms have enough leverage to easily steer)
• Seat back should be tilted to allow your arms to bend at a 45 degree angle at the elbows
• Seat height should be set to allow approximately 4" between your helmet and headliner / roof

Interesting. Good discussion.
I cant drive with the seat up close and straight up as I like with my helmet on.
Even with sunroof open. I have "is" seats, I'm only 5 feet 3/4 inch?
So until I get some Spaco Evo II seats side mounts etc I have to tilt seat back a bit. :sad:
Thus I drive on street with it leaned back a bit more than I would like so I don't get that totally lost feeling when I go autoX and have to tilt it back a bit.
hmmm maybe I'll tilt em back up some more today to enjoy some spirited driving.

That's crazy! I am 5'9" and have plenty of headroom (I use the middle height setting on my sport seats)

Thanks for the feedback :D I've never driven with my seat in the Vanilla Ice position, so visibility has never been an issue. Interestingly enough, my rev matching and brake/throttle modulation improved significantly after sliding the seat back...

[TomSuddard]

I keep my AutoX setting for street use. It's more comfortable, and I can see better.

[rfitz25]

Interesting. Good discussion.
I cant drive with the seat up close and straight up as I like with my helmet on.
Even with sunroof open. I have "is" seats, I'm only 5 feet 3/4 inch?
So until I get some Spaco Evo II seats side mounts etc I have to tilt seat back a bit. :(
Thus I drive on street with it leaned back a bit more than I would like so I don't get that totally lost feeling when I go autoX and have to tilt it back a bit.
hmmm maybe I'll tilt em back up some more today to enjoy some spirited driving.