Anyone thinking about swaping out 370Z seats?

Mergnthwirker · 09-17-2009, 01:55 PM

This past week, I took a long trip in the 370Z and decided afterwards that the touring seats are fairly good, at least for my back. So the only reasons I can see for aftermarket seats are if you are seriously tracking the car.

I have an extra set of Recaro Trend seats sitting around. My wife bought a Mercedes SLK320 and it *killed* my back whenever we drove it any distance. So in 2002, I swapped out the stock seats and replaced them with the Recaros. It turned out to be fairly complex b/c Mercedes has various seat sensors (baby-smart seat, SRS deployment, occupancy by light people weight sensors) that need to be in place for their airbags to work. Getting the right Recaro rail kit was a challenge too. Overall it took over $3,000 for the parts and installation, and a lot of head-scratching to get the SRS computer to accept the substitutes.

Fortunately, the Recaros were a HUGE improvement over the stock Mercedes seats, especially for lateral support and lumbar support -- and the Trend seats are not very aggressive compared to other Recaros. But they did a much better job of connecting me to the car, and that showed up in my autocross times as well.

Now that we're selling the SLK, the stock seats are back in (with near-zero wear

), and I've briefly considered putting the Recaros into the Z. But now I'll save them for some future draft pick to be named.

This does raise the issue of installation for anyone who is considering putting aftermarket seats in the Z. It won't matter if you are doing full race prepare like DDM, but for everyone else, there are important issues to consider. I wonder, for instance, what steps one will need to take to use any of the aftermarket seats in a daily driver to retain supplemental restraint functionality. Thinking about having an accident and getting sued by a passenger, or for resale purposes, having things like functioning airbags may be an absolute requirement to limit your legal liability!

Mergnthwirker · 09-17-2009, 02:02 PM

Putting Bride seats in your Z could be great fun! Imagine taking your sweet young thing out to a restaurant. You should definitely be a gentleman and hold the door for her, especially if she is wearing a mini-skirt!!

But seriously, if you are married and you add seats with high side bolsters, you are putting up a huge barrier to the acceptability of your car to the women in your life!

kannibul · 09-17-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mergnthwirker

This past week, I took a long trip in the 370Z and decided afterwards that the touring seats are fairly good, at least for my back. So the only reasons I can see for aftermarket seats are if you are seriously tracking the car.

I have an extra set of Recaro Trend seats sitting around. My wife bought a Mercedes SLK320 and it *killed* my back whenever we drove it any distance. So in 2002, I swapped out the stock seats and replaced them with the Recaros. It turned out to be fairly complex b/c Mercedes has various seat sensors (baby-smart seat, SRS deployment, occupancy by light people weight sensors) that need to be in place for their airbags to work. Getting the right Recaro rail kit was a challenge too. Overall it took over $3,000 for the parts and installation, and a lot of head-scratching to get the SRS computer to accept the substitutes.

Fortunately, the Recaros were a HUGE improvement over the stock Mercedes seats, especially for lateral support and lumbar support -- and the Trend seats are not very aggressive compared to other Recaros. But they did a much better job of connecting me to the car, and that showed up in my autocross times as well.

Now that we're selling the SLK, the stock seats are back in (with near-zero wear

), and I've briefly considered putting the Recaros into the Z. But now I'll save them for some future draft pick to be named.

This does raise the issue of installation for anyone who is considering putting aftermarket seats in the Z. It won't matter if you are doing full race prepare like DDM, but for everyone else, there are important issues to consider. I wonder, for instance, what steps one will need to take to use any of the aftermarket seats in a daily driver to retain supplemental restraint functionality. Thinking about having an accident and getting sued by a passenger, or for resale purposes, having things like functioning airbags may be an absolute requirement to limit your legal liability!

On the flipside, you could have had your OEM seats redone for less than $3K

JoeD · 09-17-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

I guess I can't see any advantage to replacing the stock seats with "racing seats", when you don't race.

That same argument can be applied to nearly any modification to the car. It's moot.

Modshack · 09-17-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

That same argument can be applied to nearly any modification to the car. It's moot.

Yeah...Good seats are good seats. Period. I've done painless 800 mile days in these and I'm no youngster.

RCZ · 09-17-2009, 06:01 PM

Which sparcos are those, they look like what I want.

JoeD · 09-17-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Which sparcos are those, they look like what I want.

Milano. Very nice seats, indeed.

Modshack · 09-17-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Which sparcos are those, they look like what I want.

They're Milano II's in blue Alcantara. Basically a high end street seat. These are for sale BTW....$1000 for the pair ($980 each retail) like new. I'd rather not ship, but could in the original boxes...I'm guessing $150. More info, pics and links here: Seat install album | Ttschwing | Fotki.com

RCZ · 09-17-2009, 06:19 PM

I'm not quite looking at seats right now, but someone should snatch those up at that price.

Hey modshack... kinda interested in that intake ducting you got going on, any way I can get you to make a kit. I'm feeling lazy.

shabarivas · 09-17-2009, 07:15 PM

Yea man - wanna make me one too? Also - if you dont mind - could you let me know how much those would run new? I am in the market for some black recaros - but maybe ill go sparco if the price is right

Modshack · 09-17-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Hey modshack... kinda interested in that intake ducting you got going on, any way I can get you to make a kit. I'm feeling lazy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabarivas

Yea man - wanna make me one too? Also - if you dont mind - could you let me know how much those would run new? I am in the market for some black recaros - but maybe ill go sparco if the price is right

On the Fang vents, you might just order direct as I get no deal on those parts and double shipping really wouldn't help...

From: Pilot Supplies, Avionics, and Homebuilt Aircraft Parts from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Co.

Order Hose P/N 05-29810 for the 2.5" aeroduct. 8 ft should do it with some to spare

On the 2.5" flanges P/N 10350-10 Order 4

These guys are good to deal with and ship from multiple warehouses so you'll have it in a few days..

On the seats, check out: Sparco USA
They're $989 each retail at this point..I'm asking $1000 for the pair and they're like new. They've been sitting in my den for 2 years now...

carfr3ak · 09-17-2009, 08:00 PM

Check out these tests of Recaro Vs. Bride seats. Not sure if the model makes a huge difference in safety, but BRIDE didn't do so well.

Recaro:
YouTube - RECARO Rear Impact Crash Test

Bride:
YouTube - Bride Rear Impact Crash Test Simulation

Just for comparison purposes, look at how well this stock seat does in a crash test(Not 370Z): Towards the end of each video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy0FI...1&feature=fvwp

And the 09 Prius Seats:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Cl4qtUmdw

Notice how the stock seat barely moves back any, while Recaro moves back approx. 45 degrees, while the Bride becomes flat.

370zForever · 09-29-2009, 06:05 PM

Hey, any of u guys got some good ideas on lightening the Z's front end...I've already got the battery relocation and I don't plan on changing the hood cause it's already aluminum and really light...I'm wondering if forged pistons and connecting rods would make any significant difference in weight...NEED GOOD IDEAS GUYS!!!

shabarivas · 09-29-2009, 06:16 PM

get a smaller engine!

Modshack · 09-29-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zForever

Hey, any of u guys got some good ideas on lightening the Z's front end...I've already got the battery relocation and I don't plan on changing the hood cause it's already aluminum and really light...I'm wondering if forged pistons and connecting rods would make any significant difference in weight...NEED GOOD IDEAS GUYS!!!

Need some good ideas?

Here ya go: SCC Technical Assistance Program

Otherwise you're just wasting your time..

09-17-2009, 06:19 PM	#84 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	I'm not quite looking at seats right now, but someone should snatch those up at that price. Hey modshack... kinda interested in that intake ducting you got going on, any way I can get you to make a kit. I'm feeling lazy. Last edited by RCZ; 09-17-2009 at 06:32 PM.

09-17-2009, 08:00 PM	#87 (permalink)
carfr3ak Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 71 Drives: Nissan SUV Rep Power: 16	Check out these tests of Recaro Vs. Bride seats. Not sure if the model makes a huge difference in safety, but BRIDE didn't do so well. Recaro: YouTube - RECARO Rear Impact Crash Test Bride: YouTube - Bride Rear Impact Crash Test Simulation Just for comparison purposes, look at how well this stock seat does in a crash test(Not 370Z): Towards the end of each video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy0FI...1&feature=fvwp And the 09 Prius Seats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Cl4qtUmdw Notice how the stock seat barely moves back any, while Recaro moves back approx. 45 degrees, while the Bride becomes flat. Last edited by carfr3ak; 09-17-2009 at 08:14 PM.

09-17-2009, 01:55 PM	#76 (permalink)
Mergnthwirker Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Connecticut USA Posts: 243 Drives: '09 370Z PW MT6 S Rep Power: 16	This past week, I took a long trip in the 370Z and decided afterwards that the touring seats are fairly good, at least for my back. So the only reasons I can see for aftermarket seats are if you are seriously tracking the car. I have an extra set of Recaro Trend seats sitting around. My wife bought a Mercedes SLK320 and it killed my back whenever we drove it any distance. So in 2002, I swapped out the stock seats and replaced them with the Recaros. It turned out to be fairly complex b/c Mercedes has various seat sensors (baby-smart seat, SRS deployment, occupancy by light people weight sensors) that need to be in place for their airbags to work. Getting the right Recaro rail kit was a challenge too. Overall it took over $3,000 for the parts and installation, and a lot of head-scratching to get the SRS computer to accept the substitutes. Fortunately, the Recaros were a HUGE improvement over the stock Mercedes seats, especially for lateral support and lumbar support -- and the Trend seats are not very aggressive compared to other Recaros. But they did a much better job of connecting me to the car, and that showed up in my autocross times as well. Now that we're selling the SLK, the stock seats are back in (with near-zero wear ), and I've briefly considered putting the Recaros into the Z. But now I'll save them for some future draft pick to be named. This does raise the issue of installation for anyone who is considering putting aftermarket seats in the Z. It won't matter if you are doing full race prepare like DDM, but for everyone else, there are important issues to consider. I wonder, for instance, what steps one will need to take to use any of the aftermarket seats in a daily driver to retain supplemental restraint functionality. Thinking about having an accident and getting sued by a passenger, or for resale purposes, having things like functioning airbags may be an absolute requirement to limit your legal liability!

09-17-2009, 02:02 PM	#77 (permalink)
Mergnthwirker Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Connecticut USA Posts: 243 Drives: '09 370Z PW MT6 S Rep Power: 16	Putting Bride seats in your Z could be great fun! Imagine taking your sweet young thing out to a restaurant. You should definitely be a gentleman and hold the door for her, especially if she is wearing a mini-skirt!! But seriously, if you are married and you add seats with high side bolsters, you are putting up a huge barrier to the acceptability of your car to the women in your life!

09-17-2009, 06:01 PM	#81 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Which sparcos are those, they look like what I want.

09-17-2009, 07:15 PM	#85 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	Yea man - wanna make me one too? Also - if you dont mind - could you let me know how much those would run new? I am in the market for some black recaros - but maybe ill go sparco if the price is right

09-29-2009, 06:05 PM	#88 (permalink)
370zForever Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: California Posts: 159 Drives: 09 Black 370z Rep Power: 16	Hey, any of u guys got some good ideas on lightening the Z's front end...I've already got the battery relocation and I don't plan on changing the hood cause it's already aluminum and really light...I'm wondering if forged pistons and connecting rods would make any significant difference in weight...NEED GOOD IDEAS GUYS!!!

09-29-2009, 06:16 PM	#89 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	get a smaller engine!