I DD my S2k but like to hit HDPEs 2-3x/yr. I previously have just run it completely stock, but I did a broomstick test yesterday and my head is a good 1-1.5" too high to pass with my helmet on.

Is there a seat setup that can get me 1.5" lower, and is safe to run with a stock 3-pt belt? I know the bolstering on some fixed-back seats can position the stock 3-pt so it's not snug across the hips (unsafe). Since it's my DD, it's not safe for me to get a rollbar, but if I can't get low enough with just a seat then I'll need to get one. Basically, if a seat can't get me 1.5" lower, I have to give up the S2k as either a DD or track car - can't do both safely.

BTW I'm 5'11", 170lbs, 31" waist.

 

Why is it not safe for you to have a rollbar in a street car? This is a huge misconception IMO.

I dont believe its possible to get a stock seat 1.5" lower with a off the shelf solution. You would have to modify the pan and remove seat foam material as well as modify the mounts to even get close. A seat like the recaro PP would work fine with a 3 pt belt. Route the left side belt through the seat hole and run a belt extender and run the bucket through the other right side harness hole. I believe Andrewhake has this exact setup.

 

For your size Recaro Pole Position is way too big. Check out the Profi/SPG. It's a better seat anyways. That's what I'd run if I was skinny enough.

 

How much lower is a Recaro PP as compared to stock?

 

From my understanding, any safety mods should be done together (ie seats, rollbar, harness). If you put a rollbar in the car with the stock seats, it would be very easy for your body to move during a crash, increasing your risk of your head making contact with the bar. If you put a fixed seat in the car, your body is more likely to stay put, but your head will still make contact with the unpadded (or lightly padded) bucket seat.

Then again, in any serious accident who know what will happen..

 

It will vary based on the hardware used to mount it. You can research each available product, and if none are low enough, custom seat mounts will put you on the floor.

 

None of the groups that I do HPDE with have a broomstick rule for HPDE drivers, so, I have not tried to conform with that, especially since I only have the stock 3 point harness.

I have installed Corbeau A4 seats in order to get my seating position down a little to where I like it for daily driving ( 6'0", 180 lbs). To do that, I temporarily removed the seat cushion so that I could bolt the seat directly to the seat Corbeau seat mount without the slide mechanism, and still have access to bolt the whole assembly to the floor. I normally drive the car with the seat cushion in place. However, I have verified that if I drive the car without the seat cushion, I barely meet the broomstick test with helmet on. That is sitting on the seat springs with a very thin (1/4") flexible isolator under my butt.

 

Thanks for the responses. I wasn't getting any responses initially and I was antsy about finding a solution - some seats take months to get once ordered, used genuine seats are limited locally, and there's a recall/stop-sale on Recaro Pole Positions due to the FIA revoking their approval due to a structural issue. I ended up buying a used Bride Vios III from a forum member, plus new Buddy Club rails and a seatbelt extender.

So far it's been pretty good. The seat is a "Low Max" seat and with the BC rails got me about 1.5-2" lower, just enough to pass the broomstick test.

The seat itself is definitely for the smaller individual, haha. I usually buy 31-32" waist pants (5'11", 170lbs), and my hips are pretty much wedged in there... it actually hurts a bit on my hip bones when I initially get into the seat, but after a few seconds it goes away and the seat feels comfy and extremely supportive. Driving 2" lower than before definitely takes some getting used to, as visibility changes dramatically and your angles to the pedals, shifter, and wheel are totally different. My fiancee is 5'3" and when I look over at her in the stock passenger seat, her eyes are slightly above mine! I'm still adjusting but definitely ups the racy feeling.

 

Swapping from a stock seat to a decent fixed back and BC or Nagisa rails should lower the driver by 1-2". I can't speak for that being enough to pass a broomstick test as that depends upon the individual in the seat.

 

If you are the only one that drives the car, fixed mounting the seat on the floor can give you a ton of room. I always opt for that if it is an option.

Worst case, if someone else has to drive it, use cushions or drive it kart style...