Race Seat for "Bigger" people

[JoeyBones]

I wasn't getting much luck in the interior forum...

I'm 6'2 240lb, with about a 40" or slightly under waist. I'm looking for a seat to put in my e30. I've decided to go straight to a race bucket as it wont be a daily driver and is eventually going to be a track toy for auto-x and HPDE. I'm not sure as of now if I'll build to a certain spec or what, but since I'm selling my interior I need a seat.

Any recommendations? I'm in SC, if there is anywhere I can go to test a few out that would be great. Also, I know this isn't the place to skimp, but I am on a budget.

[Bimmerman325i]

Don't know where you can go test, but I love my Sparco Evo2 Plus seats. They're skinny, which wouldn't work for you, but made for tall drivers, which may work for you. The Evo 3 is another good seat.

When you do go sit in the seats, take note of where the shoulder bolsters are in relation to your own shoulders, and where the shoulder harness pass throughs are as well. You want the harness pass throughs to be be level with your shoulder so that the harness can go straight backwards with little to no angle. If it's rubbing on the seat to get enough angle to reach your shoulders, the harness doesn't work like it should.

[Charlie]

Evo 3, Sparco "America", Corbeau Forza II, all of those are designed for more "american" sizes.

-Charlie

[Bimmerman325i]

I just googled "Sparco America" and giggled a bit.

[gobuffs]

I love my Racetech 4000WTHR

[kishg]

sparco evo2 will be fine for you. evo3 will most likely be too big. keep in mind you want to be snug in the seat.

[Emre]

You can always go custom. Send your measurements to Kirkey or Ultrashield and they'll fab one up for you. The surcharge is only $50 or so for a custom-sized seat vs. off-the-shelf.

[Bimmerman325i]

^^just a note-- the Evo2 Plus is a taller (and skinnier, according to Sparco) version of the Evo, not the Evo2. Confusing, but true. I fit in the Evo with as much room as in the Evo2Plus, the only difference being the shoulder bolster/harness slot height. I'm also 6'4", ~220 with a 34/36" waist.

I have not sat in an Evo 2 regular, nor an Evo3. Being tall kinda sucks, it severely limits my options for seats.

EDIT: Damn, Emre posted before I could reply. His idea's a good one. Kirkey/Ultrashield requires custom floor mounts IIRC, ask Terry Fair about that since he's fabbed a few in E30s and E36s.

[wildstoats]

Might also want to check out OMP. I'm 6'5" and they have a seat that fits me pretty well.

[Bimmerman325i]

^^ what seat?

[JoeyBones]

^^ what seat?

.... yes which?

fabbing mounts is not a problem at work ;)

[CrazyB]

I have a Forza wide on order right now, i am about same size, 6,1 40 inch waist, will report back when I receive it.

[JRKOUPE]

seats

what price point?.....250/350/450/550/650 and up?...

Racetech make great big seats..but open your wallet.

You need to try on a few seats...find a track and go and plant your butt a bit.


you tried the interior forum here?......thats a funny one.

Go to bimmerforum.com...race section....... and search.

The Forza wide will be one of the best values......but it wont compare to Sparco or Racetech in terms of workmanship

[dkbmxer002]

corbeau cr1 wide's are great. i am 240 and 6'0 and it i liked the way i fit in it.

[Bimmerman325i]

I've sat in the FX1 narrow version (pro?) and can flex the seatback by pushing with my knees on the floor when sitting. It didn't give me tons of confidence in the seat. Fit me great though, width and height.