SexOnWheels
04-29-2007, 07:15 PM
This particular install guide is designed for the do-it-yourself guys/gals in modifying a fourth generation F-body.
I installed a number of ‘bolt-in’ parts this winter and tried to document with pictures everything I did as I did it. Last years install of suspension parts (shocks, springs, A-arms) I never got around to doing a full guide and received allot of e-mails, and private messages regarding the finer details of the install.
I purchased brand new Torino 2 Sparco seats (LS1.com for sale section), an Autopower four point roll bar (frrax.com classified section), five point racing harness (thunderracing.com), as well as some smaller parts like a new billet shift knob (TR custom parts), etc.
When I went to price out a brackets and sliders for the seats I found they wanted over $300 + shipping which coming to Canada can be a real pain not to mention great cost. So I decided to use the stock brackets and sliders and adapt them to my new seats. As it turns out Sparco Torino two seats have the exact same dimension for the width of the sliders which allowed me to us the mounting holes in the rear of the seats but unfortunately the front mount holes/bolts could not be used.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal01.jpg
As you can see the front mounting hole was quite a bit forward and on an angle to the new seat base. So I cut measured and cut a large walled pipe to be used for a spacer to mount the front part of the brackets.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal02.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal05.jpg
This spacer was fitted so that there would be no gap and the bolt could go through and be drilled out and tapped complete with a nut to secure the bracket/slider to the base of the new seat. A nut was used for a spacer in the back of the bracket do the slider was free to move back and forth on the track.
Here is a picture of my father getting ready to drill a pilot hole for the front bolt:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal12.jpg
We drilled out the hole and tapped it so that the bolt fastened to the base of the seat and secured it with a nut:
Here is a picture of the installed spacer at the front of the seat:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal03.jpg
Here is a picture of the nut (used as a spacer) at the back of the seat:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal04.jpg
This made for a strong mount and the same system was used for both seats even though the bracket where different from driver to passenger sides. This would still work for an electric base as well.
Here is a picture of the completed seats:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal06.jpg
They really fit well and the new seats are comfortable but most of all offer more support for lateral loads subjected to the driver in a road race (or Auto-X) situation.
Here is a shot of the completed installed seats with the roll cage, harnesses also in the picture foreshadowing the following guide for the belts and cage:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal07.jpg
I want to put up some photos of the shifter knob install for an A4 transmission to show how nice the piece was and of course show the end result:
Here are the parts (notice the A4 adapter):
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal08.jpg
Here is picture of the shaft as it is seen with the OEM knob removed:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal09.jpg
The adapter goes on first with allen screws holding it in place:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal10.jpg
And finally the end product:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal11.jpg
I installed a number of ‘bolt-in’ parts this winter and tried to document with pictures everything I did as I did it. Last years install of suspension parts (shocks, springs, A-arms) I never got around to doing a full guide and received allot of e-mails, and private messages regarding the finer details of the install.
I purchased brand new Torino 2 Sparco seats (LS1.com for sale section), an Autopower four point roll bar (frrax.com classified section), five point racing harness (thunderracing.com), as well as some smaller parts like a new billet shift knob (TR custom parts), etc.
When I went to price out a brackets and sliders for the seats I found they wanted over $300 + shipping which coming to Canada can be a real pain not to mention great cost. So I decided to use the stock brackets and sliders and adapt them to my new seats. As it turns out Sparco Torino two seats have the exact same dimension for the width of the sliders which allowed me to us the mounting holes in the rear of the seats but unfortunately the front mount holes/bolts could not be used.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal01.jpg
As you can see the front mounting hole was quite a bit forward and on an angle to the new seat base. So I cut measured and cut a large walled pipe to be used for a spacer to mount the front part of the brackets.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal02.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal05.jpg
This spacer was fitted so that there would be no gap and the bolt could go through and be drilled out and tapped complete with a nut to secure the bracket/slider to the base of the new seat. A nut was used for a spacer in the back of the bracket do the slider was free to move back and forth on the track.
Here is a picture of my father getting ready to drill a pilot hole for the front bolt:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal12.jpg
We drilled out the hole and tapped it so that the bolt fastened to the base of the seat and secured it with a nut:
Here is a picture of the installed spacer at the front of the seat:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal03.jpg
Here is a picture of the nut (used as a spacer) at the back of the seat:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal04.jpg
This made for a strong mount and the same system was used for both seats even though the bracket where different from driver to passenger sides. This would still work for an electric base as well.
Here is a picture of the completed seats:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal06.jpg
They really fit well and the new seats are comfortable but most of all offer more support for lateral loads subjected to the driver in a road race (or Auto-X) situation.
Here is a shot of the completed installed seats with the roll cage, harnesses also in the picture foreshadowing the following guide for the belts and cage:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal07.jpg
I want to put up some photos of the shifter knob install for an A4 transmission to show how nice the piece was and of course show the end result:
Here are the parts (notice the A4 adapter):
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal08.jpg
Here is picture of the shaft as it is seen with the OEM knob removed:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal09.jpg
The adapter goes on first with allen screws holding it in place:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal10.jpg
And finally the end product:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/S3xOnWheels/Cage-Seat%20Install/Cage-SeatInstal11.jpg