Hello everyone!

I’ve got a few safety questions and a few general S2k Challenge modification questions. I appreciate any input. I’d love to participate in three ‘novice’ sessions this year with my car before committing to a build for the 2016 season and participate for the full season. However, I’m 6’2 and am concerned about fitment in the car and general safety. As it stands, I do not pass the broomstick test with a helmet on with the factory hoops. I assume I need to pass this test to run. Currently I have the backyard special seat rails and it dropped me an inch or so but isn’t nearly enough – I still rub against the soft top metal bars, let alone get me 2 inches under the factory hoop. Bummer. Now, I’ve sat in a factory seat S2000 with an OEM hardtop with helmet on (thanks Ameer!) and rubbed there as well. I do not believe I will fit comfortably under the hardtop with the BYS rail either.

Is my only option to run a roll-bar, harness(es) and bucket seat(s) (R/H/S) with or without a hardtop? I’m a little fuzzy on Speed Ventures safety requirements.

If going the R/H/S route will be required, then I’d like to go through Blackbird fabworks and have Moti fabricate something underneath a Spoon replica hardtop. My hesitation is the commitment. Both physically for the car and financially for my wallet! I assume that because I’ll need an instructor with me for the first three events I’ll need two bucket seats and harnesses. I’m not adverse to spending on safety but it’s a big jump into a deep pool, so to speak, and to be blunt, I’m hoping there’s a middle ground (half-assed, I know) to get my feet wet before the inevitable big plunge. I’d also like to begin participating in April but would need to adjust the budget for these parts and fabrication subsequently pushing the start towards August.

Secondly and much less importantly: I’ve got the Ballade throttle body and intake manifold, valve springs and retainers, AEM EMS, and high-flow cat, beatrush underpanel, factory wheel and tire sizes, ss brake lines, baffled oil pan, and oil catch can. Reading the 2015 rule book, my understanding is I’d get 0.125 points for the intake manifold and throttle body - or is that 0.125 each? 0.25 for the ECU, and 0.125 for the high-flow cat. The brakes, wheels/tires, baffled oil pan and catch can are freebies but does the Beatrush panel warrant any points? If not, then my total points should be 0.5 or 0.625 currently, correct?

Not that it matters for the first three (or ten or one hundred) times but I’d like for the car to have a specific goal in mind.

In addition to the hardtop [0.25], R/H/S [0.00], spoon rep. rear bumper [0.125], 17 x 8 wheels and 235 tires front and back [0.25 & 0.25], front brake ducts, brake pads and rotors [0.00], vented hood [0.125], CR shocks and swift R-spec springs [1.00] I would be at a total of 2.5 – 2.625. Or is my math off? Just seeing what the wriggle room looks like over the next 18 months. I plan to make the changes over the course of the year and let the growth/experience dictates what goes in/out.

I’ll be at this Saturday’s SV autocross at ACS – I know folks will be busy but if anyone who’ve had similar height problems and or have hardtop/seat combos could let me check out their setup, I’d really appreciate it. I’ve sat in a recaro pole position on I believe modified buddy club rails and found the seat back to be too low, my head was far above it + my legs were compressed from the narrow bolsters making leg movement underneath the steering wheel difficult and painful after ten minutes. Reading through the forums, the Sparco EVO + might be a way to go. Anyone have other recommendations? My specs are 36’’ waist, 34’’ inseam, 6’2, 220 lbs.

Any input is appreciated, and please do critique the planned modifications.

Thanks,
Colin

 

I would say that Moti should have no problem getting you positioned safely in your car. My setup was made by him, and the rollbar I have was made to maximize the space under my Mugen rep hard top. I am about 6' tall, with a driver side recaro spg custom mounted to the car, and there would still be room for my seat to go lower if necessary. If you check his facebook, I believe there is a picture of my car from behind with me sitting in it, which should give you a good idea regarding my positioning in comparison to the rollbar height.

Another point you made regarding your passenger side setup is correct; most instructors won't ride with you unless the passenger side safety system is the same as the drivers side.

I haven't been out to the track for a couple months since I have a big workload during the first quarter of the year, but if you ever see me out there, feel free to come sit in my car and see how everything feels! I have a sebring silver with a black "Blackbird Fabworx" windshield banner on it. I am hoping to get out to Chuckwalla in March with speed ventures, but if not you'll see me out at the events no later than April!!

 

Interested to see the feedback you get on this also. I'm similar size to you and have been trying to figure out a good seat that I'll fit in & be safe in AND that will fit in the car. I'm considering

I believe SV will allow you to run stock seats and belts with a roll cage. (Of course many consider this unsafe.) But if you don't fit comfortably even with the BYS rail, then I think a race seat is the only way to get lower than that? I'd be surprised if you don't fit with the BYS rail though - a couple inches can make a big difference.

I'm curious why you're not interested in a Hard Dog or RSG rollbar? There is also a Ballade Sports one, which I understand MAY be a bit taller and allow the seat to go farther back, but I have not confirmed this. It's not soft-top compatible.

Another note, a smaller steering wheel helps with knee room. I don't think you mentioned if you daily your car, which affects what mods you'll want to live with.

 

Ludeguy13, thanks for the input and I take you up on the sit-offer.

Bdo, I've come to the conclusion that there is no half-assing it. If I want to get below any bar, and I do, I'm going to need to go R/H/S. You're spot on about the wheel, I had a similar problem in my miata. I am waiting to see what the leg room is like with an aftermarket seat. The BYS rail got me below the windshield frame which is great for autocross but I suspect I'd be near the top of any shop-bar without an aftermarket seat.

I ran a Hard Dog on my miata several years ago. Great product, great fitment and can't say enough positive things about it. However, I installed it with factory seats and belt and it wasn't the safest way to drive around (you live and learn) plus every time I see Moti's work I drool! So this time around I want to do it differently. My plan is to purchase a Spoon replica hardtop in a few weeks, collect the seats and harnesses in April, then have Moti work his magic whenever he's available in the summer. Autocross will keep me happy until then.

 

Colin.

I'll be at ACS Sunday if you want to sit in a pole position on a modified buddy club rail and an aftermarket wheel.

I'm not as tall but I think my setup might work for you.

Black AP1 blue wheels and a big wing.

Feel free to stop by and jump in to check out fiitment

Dustin-

 

Dustin! I really appreciate the offer but I sadly won't make it back-to-back days. Hope to catch ya around.

 

Can you post a pic of your roll bar? Is it welded or bolted? I've read that for the S it's best to weld the forward part (behind seats) but bolt the rear plates. I'm thinking of having him make a roll bar for my car as well, hopefully this summer, if I decide to track my car a lot this year.

 

I sold my car mainly for this reason, could not fit the way it was. I am 6'1"
I had RSG roll bar and both OEM hard top and RSG hard top. My helmet was hitting both tops with stock seat. Only way I would fit was to lean seat back which I did not like at all or get aftermarket seat and try to put it as low as possible. Instead I sold car and bought the one I can fit in

 

Colin, see this thread, posts 7 & 14. Perhaps that setup will help. https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/111...oomstick-test/

 

I hear ya, I was eyeballing S197 Mustang GT's for that reason while I had my Miata.

Thanks Blue. I stumbled on that picture thread before but forgot to bookmark the picture. That looks very convincing.

I assume these are the correct parts:

http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/mm...e=BRIDE-FL1IMF
http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/mm...IDE_SEAT_RAILS

Comparing some Bride seats, I see they make a Zeta III Type-XL which looks great with a 880mm seat height, 595mm harness hole height, and 520mm seat thigh width and 580mm shoulder wing width. The Type-L is similar but with a tighter 475mm seat thigh width but wider 10mm wider shoulder wings.

Now compared to the Sparco EVO 2 (non-US) which has a 535mm seat thigh width, 590 shoulder wing width, 915mm seat height and 620mm harness hole height, the Bride's theoretically are smaller/narrower/shorter, however I like the idea of matching a companies seat and their rail together especially if they sit THAT low and retain the ability to slide!!! I would typically dismiss the Bride's because the new EVO dimensions on paper seem to be superior and I'd rather mount any seat directly to the floor but that picture and something about a thousand words, right? I haven't seen any of these new EVO lineup seats installed either.

What concerns me about the Zeta III is the Pole Position I sat in has an 885mm seat height, 5mm taller than the Zeta III-XL, and I found it to be too short with the top of the seat touching just above the Cerebellum. Now, armchair stat comparing doesn't take into account the shape of the seat back and how the occupant fits in it...

...So there's no way to know without trying them on for size. I'll be sitting in some seats over the next few weekends, pick what feels the best and get it mounted to the floor then deal with everything else around it after