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-   -   Street, Auto-X, track, which roll bar? (https://www.miataturbo.net/race-prep-75/street-auto-x-track-roll-bar-73406/)

Leafy 06-19-2013 11:54 AM


Originally Posted by mx5autoxer (Post 1023060)
Which Kirkey seats do people normally use?

Economy either 10 or 20 deg layback depending on your preference. I'm seriously considering trying the intermediate 10deg layback just so that I can get a seat cover that isnt vinyl.

Ryan_G 06-19-2013 12:00 PM


Originally Posted by mx5autoxer (Post 1023060)
Which Kirkey seats do people normally use?

The 4100 series seats. They come in a variety of widths depending on your size. I know the 17" wide ones fit in a Miata with no trans tunnel bashing. I am 5'10" 190lbs and have a 36" waist and they fit me perfectly. If you bolt them to the floor they also sit you very low which is awesome. Stock NB seat sit me looking just below the windshield crossbeam. In floor mounted Kirkey's with the padding and cover in them I see a few inches above the steering wheel which is a little lower then the middle of the windshield AKA perfect position.

The seat and the cover from summit come out to under $300 a seat after shipping. You can also find them used easily because every circle track racer uses them. My only gripe with them is that ingress and egress are a pain in the ass for me because of the massive amounts of support they offer. This is the only reason that I am considering a few other seat choices for my car because it is my DD.

Leafy 06-19-2013 12:05 PM


Originally Posted by Ryan_G (Post 1023069)
The 4100 series seats. They come in a variety of widths depending on your size. I know the 17" wide ones fit in a Miata with no trans tunnel bashing. I am 5'10" 190lbs and have a 36" waist and they fit me perfectly. If you bolt them to the floor they also sit you very low which is awesome. Stock NB seat sit me looking just below the windshield crossbeam. In floor mounted Kirkey's with the padding and cover in them I see a few inches above the steering wheel which is a little lower then the middle of the windshield AKA perfect position.

The seat and the cover from summit come out to under $300 a seat after shipping. You can also find them used easily because every circle track racer uses them. My only gripe with them is that ingress and egress are a pain in the ass for me because of the massive amounts of support they offer. This is the only reason that I am considering a few other seat choices for my car because it is my DD.

IMO a kirkey must be mounted on sliders. My seating position makes it really damn hard to get in the car, even with taking the wheel off, if I forget to put the seat back. Basically my seating position is as far forward as the sliders go. I'm still trying to figure out a good side mount slider system so I can mount the seat lower.

mx5autoxer 06-20-2013 08:35 AM


Originally Posted by Leafy (Post 1023064)
Economy either 10 or 20 deg layback depending on your preference. I'm seriously considering trying the intermediate 10deg layback just so that I can get a seat cover that isnt vinyl.

Yeah the vinyl-only kind of put me off. And the cloth seat covers (for other seats) are really expensive.

Ryan_G 06-20-2013 08:52 AM


Originally Posted by mx5autoxer (Post 1023388)
Yeah the vinyl-only kind of put me off. And the cloth seat covers (for other seats) are really expensive.

I just looked at the economy seats and I am not a fan. I like the 4100 series so much better. Yes they are more expensive but have you looked at the covers? There is a reason they are more expensive. Too be honest <$300 dollars a seat with shipping is cheap for a good seat.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/kir-41700/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/kir-41711

Leafy 06-20-2013 08:56 AM

the 4100 would certainly make for an easier daily driver seat but I've sat in both, the economy with the big rib breakers holds you in a lot better.

Ryan_G 06-20-2013 09:02 AM

They may hold you in better but is it necessary to do so? Sixshooter took me around Sebring with Hoosier's on the car and with harnesses on I do not see why I would need more support. You never move in the seat as it is. The extra bolster would just hit my elbows and piss me off. If I was going to go above a 4100 series I would just get a full containment seat for racing.

Leafy 06-20-2013 09:07 AM


Originally Posted by Ryan_G (Post 1023395)
They may hold you in better but is it necessary to do so? Sixshooter took me around Sebring with Hoosier's on the car and with harnesses on I do not see why I would need more support. You never move in the seat as it is. The extra bolster would just hit my elbows and piss me off. If I was going to go above a 4100 series I would just get a full containment seat for racing.

Well its really nice to be able to remove the stock seat belt retractors and just run cheap adjustable lap belts (2 point harness lol) and still be very supported. So much weight reduction. I still have stock belts in my car to maintain the illusion of being a street car. But honestly, when I jump in the car to go test drive it I forget to put the seat belt on because the seat holds me in so well (and its not illegal because live free or die mother fuckers).

Ryan_G 06-20-2013 09:38 AM


Originally Posted by Leafy (Post 1023396)
Well its really nice to be able to remove the stock seat belt retractors and just run cheap adjustable lap belts (2 point harness lol) and still be very supported. So much weight reduction. I still have stock belts in my car to maintain the illusion of being a street car. But honestly, when I jump in the car to go test drive it I forget to put the seat belt on because the seat holds me in so well (and its not illegal because live free or die mother fuckers).

I like to wear my seatbelt because it stops me from going through the windshield. The 2 points sound like they could cause some serious bodily injury if you crash, especially if you have a no airbag after market wheel.

Leafy 06-20-2013 09:40 AM

But who crashes at auto-x?

sixshooter 06-20-2013 02:59 PM


Originally Posted by Ryan_G (Post 1023049)
+1

I have sat in sixshooter's seats multiple times now and those things are so form fitting and supportive that If I tilted it back a bit more I could probably fall asleep in it.

I thought they would be uncomfortable as hell just looking at them because the frames were metal, but they are much, much better than stock. I love them.


Originally Posted by mx5autoxer (Post 1023060)
Which Kirkey seats do people normally use?

4100 series


Originally Posted by EricJ (Post 1023062)
With seats it's best to try it before buying.

Super true. But the OP will likely have trouble finding the big boy seats in stock in a showroom.

Originally Posted by Ryan_G (Post 1023069)
The 4100 series seats. They come in a variety of widths depending on your size. I know the 17" wide ones fit in a Miata with no trans tunnel bashing.

Mine are actually 16" size and not 17". There is plenty of room for the 18" and probably larger.

You should be able to run a tape measure across the floorboard and know for sure how much room there is. The seats are only as wide as that width number indicates. Then you can set two cinderblocks or something similar on the ground then sit between them and wedge your hips and ass between them nice and snug. Then get up and measure that distance between the blocks and you will know what size Kirkeys you need. It is that simple.

And if you ever want a little more padding for an 8 hour trip, you can put a little of the cheap foam rubber padding (anti-fatigue floor mat) under the factory padding to make it like a sofa.

stefanst 06-20-2013 05:03 PM

From flying economy class transatlantic I already know, that I can squeeze my behind between two armrests that are 17" apart. I'm NOT enjoying it, but it can be done. Even for 8 hours.

I think I saw some 19" wide Kirkeys. That should definitely fit my bottom. I'll measure my floor pan and see if it will drop in.

Any thoughts on the Corbeau FX1 "wide"? That looks like my backside might slide right in.

z31maniac 06-20-2013 05:08 PM


Originally Posted by stefanst (Post 1023538)
Any thoughts on the Corbeau FX1 "wide"? That looks like my backside might slide right in.

How does it compare width wise to the Corbeau Forza? I picked up a pair of Forza's used because a friend gave me a deal on them, but it took quite a bit a tunnel bashing on the driver side to make them kind of fit.

stefanst 06-20-2013 06:55 PM

2 Attachment(s)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1371769073
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1371769073

Looks like the Forza and the FX1 wide are very similar.
Which part of the seat was too wide? Front or rear?

z31maniac 06-20-2013 07:23 PM

The front, I also used Corbeau sliders to make life easy (I suck at fabbing stuff and don't have the tools either).

At 5'8" I'm close to the wheel and tunnel near the shifter needed a good bashing and the wing digs into the door. Even on the passenger side where I have the seat "permanently" set all the way back.

sixshooter 06-20-2013 07:38 PM

That particular Kirkey series is available in widths from 15-20 inches.

wannafbody 06-20-2013 09:16 PM

The Kirkey Intermediate Road Race seat with the shoulders is very nice and comfy. Also, consider the Ultrashield Rally Sport if you want a lower bolster seat.

JSpeed6 06-20-2013 09:27 PM


Originally Posted by Leafy (Post 1023408)
But who crashes at auto-x?

jump to :35


NW Bill 06-21-2013 01:49 AM


Originally Posted by Track (Post 1022790)
Roll bars on the street are a bit more "dangerous". I put that in quotes because I think with proper padding its not a big deal.... If you get new seats you won't have to worry about hitting your head on the bar as most seats are taller and would make it pretty much impossible. That doesn't mean you shouldn't get the padding through (SFI is good for a helmet, but you may want to get something softer to put on top of that for when you drive the car without a helmet)


Originally Posted by z31maniac (Post 1022797)
To be fair, the padding is still designed for helmeted heads....I occasionally drive mine on the street, but I also have fixed backs and harnesses.


Originally Posted by EricJ (Post 1022916)
I have a HD HC DD HT (Hard Dog, Hard Core, Double Diagonal, Hard Top)
1. Padding is for a helmeted head. I got the padding too.
2. For me the stock seat was not tall enough to keep my head from hitting the bar if I was rear-ended on the street.


Originally Posted by Track (Post 1022918)
I do also, thats why I never worry about it. I do see a number of guys on track though with pool noodles around their bars (and some use the SFI stuff under it)....revlimitr hit his head on the SFI stuff and got a concussion. certainly better than a cracked skull.

Curious if any of you guys have tried or have opinions on the dual density (aka "dual durometer") roll bar padding, discussed on Roll Bar Padding: SFI vs. non-SFI: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine and recommended by Keith Tanner (Flyin' Miata) in his "How to Build a High-Performance Mazda Miata MX-5." Apparently it is what he uses.

As far as I can tell, it is only made by BSCI but available through a number of dealers:

Safe Drives -

Dual Durometer Rollbar Padding, SFI rollbar padding

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/gr...roupID=ROLLPAD

and many others. Oddly, Flyin' Miata (and the other usual Miata parts dealers) don't seem to carry it.

With this, the inner layer (next to the bar) is SFI rated for maximum protection, while the outer layer is softer but still pretty firm. The idea is that SFI padding is intended for use with helmets and can be pretty hard on an unhelmeted head (or other body parts when used on door bars, etc), so the (removable) outer softer layer acts as a cushion to the inner SFI layer. For cars used on both street & track the softer outer layer can be removed when the car is on the track (and the driver is wearing a helmet) but put in place when the car is on the street.

The downsides seems to be that this padding is bulkier than usual and is somewhat more expensive. I also have not seen any covers that will fit this, but that seems a pretty minor concern.

If this works as advertised, it may go a long way to answering the problem of smacking your unhelmeted head on the roll bar (bad with SFI padding, worse without), especially if/when rearended (which just happened to me a few weeks ago, luckily at a fairly low speed).

Bill

Mazduh 06-21-2013 02:24 AM

I love my harddog ace. Sits further back so I don't bash my head and doesn't mess up the stock seat belts.


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