[RESOLVED] Seat bolt question

[DGajre777]

I bought Corbeau FX Pro seats and ran into trouble with the seat bolt. The corbeau brackets suck which I knew. While installing the seat 2 days ago, the bolt went in at an angle and I stripped it. I took the seat out, put a bolt from top and it goes all the way in. If I put the seat back on, there isn't enough space for me to put a wrench of any kind to turn the bolt to keep it straight.

I know that the OEM bolt with "7" marked on it is a Class 8.8 metric bolt. I was thinking that I could get a longer Class 8.8 bolt, jbweld the bolt (couldn't hurt), tighten it into the hole with a wrench without the seat on, let the JBWeld dry, cut the head off the bolt (might take a while with a dremel), put the seat on and then put a class 8.8 hex nut on the bolt.

Will this be safe if I get in an accident? Should I get the bolt spot welded after I bolt it in? I am not even going to try to cut a Class 10.9 metric bolt and I don't want to drill holes under the car to mount the seats in.

Any ideas?

 

[DGajre777]

really the biggest shortcoming of the stock setup is that the stock seats don't hold you in place. I think the stock seats are more troublesome than the stock seatbelts. Your new seats are sure to sure that. I had been looking at those exact seats. With the steering wheel, your interior looks like serious business. I wonder how much the stock seats weigh? You must be losing a lot of weight going to those seats. How comfortable are those seats? I had been told that they are pretty purpose built and not very comfortable for longer drives etc.

The stock seat hurt by back even on short drives which is why I went with these. All the cushions in the middle come off and have removable covers so I can replace them if they get worn. They are very comfortable. I haven't gone on any long drives yet, but I plan to drive to Orlando and back in one weekend and see how they hold up. I did a high speed turn yesterday (on a seat secured with 3 bolts ) and I didn't move an inch. These things even with stock seat belts hold you in place.

The stock seats were very heavy. "2g OEM seats, cloth, no power 43lbs"
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/fre...ons/127313-dsm-curb-weight-faq-breakdown.html

 

[bmoha2]

I plan on getting a new steering wheel before next season and the same Corbeau seats. From what you're saying I can count on the seats giving me some extra headroom and I am hoping a smaller steering wheel will give me some additional knee room. I might even get a steering wheel that is flat at the bottom. I'm 6'3". Knee room comes at a premium.

 

[DGajre777]

I'm 6' and if I slide the seat all the way back I can't push the clutch all the way in. Your biggest concern will probably be that you won't be able to see the top of the RPM gauge and speedometer. After I remove the sliders I am hoping to be able to see all of the RPM gauge but since you are taller than me you may want to keep the stock steering wheel and find a bigger one. I need the rain to stop so I can start working on my car!

 

[bmoha2]

I have a background as a bass musician. I memorized the Talon at rpm. I shift by ear.

 

[bmoha2]

I think I am going to get the exact same seat as you did. One at a time most likely. I am wondering how the sidemount brackets work as far as seat height. I think it is going to be fine for me to have them in a fixed position with no sliders unless of course it winds up being taller than the other style mounting brackets.

 

[romeen]

16lbs! That's great. My Sparco Torinos are very good seats but my biggest gripe is the weight. I haven't actually weighed them but by feel I can say that they are similar in weight to the stockers.

FWIW, I have a "CG-Lock" and I can tell you that it works extremely well. I was very surprised at just how snugly the stock seat belts can hold you in place with one of these installed. It won't take the place of an actual harness but it's a good option for a street driven car.

CG-Lock Performance Add-on for your Seat belt

 

[DGajre777]

I think I am going to get the exact same seat as you did. One at a time most likely. I am wondering how the sidemount brackets work as far as seat height. I think it is going to be fine for me to have them in a fixed position with no sliders unless of course it winds up being taller than the other style mounting brackets.

The 2Gs floor isn't flat so I don't think side mounts are an option. If you mount the side mount brackets above the corbeau brackets it will make the seat sit higher than just mounting the seats directly on the corbeau brackets (without sliders).

FWIW, I have a "CG-Lock" and I can tell you that it works extremely well. I was very surprised at just how snugly the stock seat belts can hold you in place with one of these installed. It won't take the place of an actual harness but it's a good option for a street driven car.

CG-Lock Performance Add-on for your Seat belt

Wouldn't the CG lock be the same as pulling the seat belt all the way out and then reeling it back in? When my son was little, I used to put his booster seat in the front and that thing never moved.

 

[romeen]

The 2Gs floor isn't flat so I don't think side mounts are an option. If you mount the side mount brackets above the corbeau brackets it will make the seat sit higher than just mounting the seats directly on the corbeau brackets (without sliders).



Wouldn't the CG lock be the same as pulling the seat belt all the way out and then reeling it back in? When my son was little, I used to put his booster seat in the front and that thing never moved.

Same concept but once you pull on the shoulder side of the belt to tighten the lap portion it will not release until you rotate a small thumb lever. You can pull the belt to the point that it hurts your stomach and it won't budge until you release it.

A friend uses one on his M3 on track days and he loves it. It's hard to realize just how effective it is until you experience it.

Downsides: It's just heavy enough to keep the seat belt from retracting all the way. It also has a knurled roller that over time wears away at the seat belt--not enough to cause belt failure but enough to make it look worn on that portion.

 

[DGajre777]

Update:

I JBWelded some studs in the cross member bolt holes and then decided that I didn't want to trust my ass to JB Weld. I bought the left and right cross member brackets from the dealership, bolted grade 8 metric bolts from the bottom and I'm taking them to a body shop to have them spot welded on Monday.

I also decided to get rid of the sliders and install 'WeldSteel' flat metal strips. I'm using 3/16" x 1- 1/2" x 3 feet strips from Lowes. The last pic of the brackets shows you the difference between the height of the Corbeau sliders and the metal strip.

Work in progress... pics attached.

 

[bmoha2]

Now that I can appreciate. I think when I do seats I'll do the same thing.

 

[bmoha2]

Are they now installed?

 

[DGajre777]

Are they now installed?

Yup. All done. I had the 2 cross-members spot welded with the bolts welded before the cross-members were installed. Both seats are in the car, I'll take some pics sometime next week and post them.

P.s. I did have to dremel some fiberglass from the bottom of the seat where the nuts on the metal strips in post #34 made contact.