Well, I was browsing the website for FEED (i.e. looking at the pretty pictures because I don't speak Japanese) and I came across this little number...

http://www.fujita-eng.com/rx8/index_2.html
So does this work with the factory seat or is it an aftermarket bracket? I've been looking for a way to lower my seats as I always clip my head on the roof when I wear my helmet at the races. So anyone who knows how to speak or read Japanese, help me out pleeeeease. My head is starting to hurt after all the contact.

 

That will only work with an aftermarket seat and there is still a chance you will have LESS headroom. I had the same problem and solved it with a Kirkey race seat I only install for track days. Do an advance search for ' Kirkey " by expo1.

 

I am working on getting some cushioning taken out of my stock powered driver's seat.

I've printed out diagrams of the stock seat and will be taking them to a interior shop.

They looked at the seat once already without the benefit of the diagrams and said they ought to be able to drop it at least an inch.

Looking at the diagrams I could easily see them being able to do 2+ inches as long as they are able to modify the plastic "basket" that the cushioning sits in.

I'm currently sick I probably wont be able to go till next week.

BTW - You can't lower the seat rail as I recall the front end is already sitting on the uni-body/frame. The back is, so technically you could tip your hall chair one inch backward. But that would require metal someone to do some metal working which would be expensive and the results might not be comfortable.

 

You only install this for track days? How long does it take you to swap out the seat with the OEM?

 

I put it in the Friday before a track weekend. 4- 14 mm bolts, 17mm bolt for the seat belt buckle and the wires under the seat. I can do the swap in about 20 minutes.

 

Man that seat looks so uncomfortable. I'll keep you guys updated about the cushion thinning.

I expect it to be $150 for the cushion maybe more for modifying the plastic part.

 

1/2 " of foam = 2" of extra headroom vs. the OEM seat. Yes it hurts but for the longer drive to the track I have a cushion to make it bearable. The side bolsters also hold you in quite well in the turns. Mine is bolted to the bracket and doesn't adjust. Makes getting in / out a pain but I am happy with the overall function of the Kirkey seat.

 

Damn, that's not bad at all (you're giving me ideas now!) A couple more questions...

1 - Do you use a harness? If so, how have you mounted it? Do you mount the shoulder straps to the attachment points at the bottom of the rear seat?

2 - I remember reading somewhere that instructor protection must be the same as driver protection. Did you have a problem with that? (I can't remember where I read it - maybe it doesn't apply to HPDE events.)

Now I wish I'd taken a closer look at your 8 at Summit Point...

 

The seat brackets (I have two of these) accepts the OEM seatbelt buckles, I do not use a harness. The speeds I can hit at the track would require a roll bar to have a properly installed harness crash worthy wise. Lower speed events like Autox you can get away with a harness and no roll bar.