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Anyone modify/lower drivers seat?

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Old Nov 2, 2004 | 01:19 PM
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steves8's Avatar
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Anyone modify/lower drivers seat?

I have a GT with the leather seats and a moonroof. Has anyone actually modified and lowered their drivers seat for more headroom? If not, do you guys think it's possible? I'm 6'3" and I'd kill for another inch of headroom.

Cheers
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Old Nov 2, 2004 | 01:37 PM
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Unfortunately I'm all torso with a large head! It's driveable with the seat angle tilted back, but I'd rather have a more up right seating position. I know this was discussed a while back but the thread went off topic and the issue was never really answered.
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Old Nov 2, 2004 | 01:41 PM
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expo1's Avatar
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This old post of mine could be of interest

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...0&postcount=10

The only thing I think would work is a Kirkey racing seat mounted on one position. But that is not practical for every day use.
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Old Nov 2, 2004 | 03:12 PM
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Wankeler's Avatar
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Originally Posted by steves8
Unfortunately I'm all torso with a large head!

Charlie Brown! Is that you??? :D j/k
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Old Nov 4, 2004 | 07:47 PM
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steves8,

I put a Sparco Evo in my 3rd gen RX-7 and it was the most comfortable chair in my world. It gave me enough room for a helmet and allowed me to drive hard without using the steering wheel as a handle.

Check out the install on my site in the .sig...
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Old Nov 4, 2004 | 09:25 PM
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I have the leather and the moonroof, and I'm only 5'11" and STILL have to do the ghetto lean to be comfortable in the car. I have back trouble so I can't drive comfortably with the seat leaned back a lot. I don't know how anyone over 6 feet can fit in the car!
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Old Nov 5, 2004 | 02:54 PM
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I'm 6'3" also and have the same problem---would really love another inch of head room. In some cars (like the C5 Corvette) the springs can be removed easily, allowing more "seat sag". Not sure if this can be done with the RX8.
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Old Nov 5, 2004 | 05:12 PM
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I'm thinking about taking mine to an auto upholstery place. Maybe they can lower the bottom cushion instead of altering the seat rails/mounting points. If I get a chance to bring it in I'll let you guys know.
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Old Nov 5, 2004 | 08:01 PM
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you can fab new seat brackets out of mild steel, time consuming to get the angles right but other than that it's a piece of cake. I did this to mount my recaro seats, your application w/ power and all shouldnt be to much different.
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Old Jan 21, 2005 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by another8owner
you can fab new seat brackets out of mild steel, time consuming to get the angles right but other than that it's a piece of cake. I did this to mount my recaro seats, your application w/ power and all shouldnt be to much different.
Is it possible to make new brackets as you describe, and still be able to use the power seat adjustments? I'd like to lower the seat permanently, but still be able to adjust it for my wife to drive. I don't know how far the adjustment rails are above the floor.
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 08:27 AM
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If ur fat or something then that will be a problem lol
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 01:43 PM
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Just to throw a bit of reality into this, are you prepared to pay something like $300 to custom fabricate new rails, or $600+ if you want to install a new seat as well? If that extra inch is worth those kind of numbers to you then all's fine.

Note: those labor prices are representative of the area I live in and are probably higher than yours. (A local Honda dealer charges $150/hr labor!) Regardless when you're talking about "it would be nice to have" you should also consider probable cost.
________
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Last edited by PUR NRG; May 1, 2011 at 05:14 AM.
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by PUR NRG
Just to throw a bit of reality into this, are you prepared to pay something like $300 to custom fabricate new rails, or $600+ if you want to install a new seat as well? If that extra inch is worth those kind of numbers to you then all's fine.

Note: those labor prices are representative of the area I live in and are probably higher than yours. (A local Honda dealer charges $150/hr labor!) Regardless when you're talking about "it would be nice to have" you should also consider probable cost.
Actually, if I could buy some custom rails for $300 and install them myself to gain one inch, I'd write the check tonight. My question is first whether it is possible, and then I would investigate the cost. (I plan on keeping my new car forever, and don't plan on getting shorter for several decades. )

I don't intend to buy a new seat, but use the stock power driver's seat in a lower mounting. If the bottom of the seat is touching a chassis component already, then it is not possible regardless of price. You said that "all's fine" - does that mean that I could have the seat lowered? Has anyone tried?
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 06:50 AM
  #14  
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This other post of mine should help, you can do the Kirky seat wedge bracket for under $300.
https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...75&postcount=2
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by jaedcem
You said that "all's fine" - does that mean that I could have the seat lowered?
Dunno. By "all's fine" I meant a lot of people say "gee I'd like to get [xxx]" without thinking about possible cost. Then when they get to that point they realize it's more than they're willing to pay.
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Last edited by PUR NRG; May 1, 2011 at 05:15 AM.
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by PUR NRG
Dunno. By "all's fine" I meant a lot of people say "gee I'd like to get [xxx]" without thinking about possible cost. Then when they get to that point they realize it's more than they're willing to pay.
LOL - Yeah, I've seen a lot of that too. My "problem" is that I really love this car, and have gotten used to my hair brushing the roof all the time. I also am starting to get used to reclining the seat more than I'd like. But I'd really like to be able to sit up and stretch my back a bit on long trips, and that's where this idea is coming from. I can't say that money is no object (but I'm close). I'll have to look at the rails mentioned earlier.
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