I need some advice...

blykins · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 06:50 AM

I didn't wanna go with the seats that Shell Valley offers...so I bought some 200 series SPF seats with the removeable bottoms. These seats are very long....hehehe....

What I'm faced with, is that even when they're shoved back to the bulkhead, there would be no reason for a seat adjuster. They could be mounted on spacers or on the floorboard, and it would be just fine. I did some measuring and compared it to the interior drawing on ERA's website...Their cars have 26-27" from the steering wheel hub to the back of the top of the seat. They also have 37-42.5" from the pedals to the back of the seat bottom...where your butt goes.

I measured mine with the seat all the way back and I got 27" for the 1st measurement, and 40" for the 2nd.

For some reason, this seems awfully cramped. I've attached a couple of pics for you guys to look at. The first pic is a side view of my car...the second is a Kirkham picture...

It's been so long since I've driven or sat in a Cobra that I can't remember how awkward (I know they are a little) they are to sit in and drive.

From what I've mocked up so far, it seems like you sit slanted to the left (driver's side), your feet are even more so...the steering wheel is cocked just a smidgen to the right...and it appears that the steering wheel would just rub against your legs all the time.

Hopefully you guys can offer some input....from experience or creativity either one.

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 06:53 AM

Kirkham Pic

trularin · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 07:05 AM

It is one of the reasons I selected a Lone Star, there is an extra 4 inches ( or there abouts )

Remove the seat and see if you can sit in the cockpit with no seat. If you are cramped then, no seat is going to fix the size issue.

Dirty Harry · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 07:10 AM

I originally put the SVM seats in my SV car, using the sliding adjusters. I just didn't like the finished product, however. I sat too high in the car and the adjustment wasn't that great of a convenience. Since the car doesn't have dropped floorpans, I figured I'd be better off w/o the adjusters. I started over and bolted the seats through the floor using some wedge-shaped blocks. I got the seat incline I wanted and now I can look through the windshield. There's more room to move around and change position during long drives, too.

blykins · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 09:09 AM

Oh, I can fit without the seats....I'm only 5'6" and 140 lbs...hehehe...But I was just worried about anyone else who may want to sit in the car...I would like them to be able to do so without ripping all the interior out on their way in/out.

Here's another pic....this time with my new 15" mock-up steering wheel. Don't you think it looks just like a Moto-Lita? hehehehe

I think this wheel is going to be standard on the new Road Serpent......

blykins · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 09:14 AM

One more pic

Tongue Pirate · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 12:30 PM

I'm a little over 6'. The first car I sat in had my knees pointed off to one side & the steering wheel firmly keeping them from going anywhere but there! These cars are small! Fortunately there are a few MFG's out there that are helping us taller folk get into & out of them with a "slight" amount of comfort

It's worth it, Right

Fox · #8 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 08:47 PM

Tongue Pirate...are you implying that you had ERA modify your FIA for your 6'+...if so what did you have done?

I was there on friday checking things out. I'll admit it was tight for my 6'0". I figured I would just put the seat back as far as it will go and just learn to like it. I'd love to hear your .02.

CT may have been cold, but those 289's are HOT!

-John

Hal Copple · #9 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 10:07 PM

I'm 6-2, and did not extra leg room in my SPF, which has a dropped and slightly extended footbox, but Dennis olthoff recently put two machined "spacers" under the front of my seatbolts, about an inch+ tall. this rocked the seat back just a little, which gives me more thigh support, and makes an amazing difference in perceived leg room. If you bend your hip-ankle distance just a little at the knee, it makes for much more leg room. Try it.

A Snake · #10 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 10:58 PM

As Hal said the tip back can make a lot of difference.

I bolted my seats directly to the floor and there they stayed until I was trying to sell it to a guy over 6'4" with really long legs. Fortunately, I had about 4" more I could go back and did. He fit into the car alright, but he made the mistake of wearing some really bulky running shoes and had a hell of a time with the pedals.

As to the offset of your feet to the left, it is just part of a Cobra and nothing can really be done to change it that I know of. Surprisingly, it takes very little getting used to. Just make sure your pedals are placed so you can use them safely.

If you are worried about the steering wheel rubbing on your legs, you should be able to raise the mounting point for the column under the dash without hurting anything. I raised mine about 1 1/4" and it made a lot of difference.

Al

maxrpm · #11 (**permalink**) 02-03-2004, 10:12 AM

Bly, looks like you're moving right along, good job! I'm 6' and when I realized I didn't fit in the car I was building I shortened my dash by 1 inch, took out the seat tracks and propped the leading edge of the seats up. (I didn't use the ShellValley dash, I fabricated my own from alum. so keeping the gauges in proportion was simple) KEEP WORKING!

trularin · #12 (**permalink**) 02-04-2004, 07:27 AM

Wow, maxrpm, that is a good idea.

As old as I am, moving them back may make them easier to see. LOL