Initial Review: Buddy Club Racing Spec Seat

[Spectre_240sx]

I just installed a Buddy Club racing spec seat for my s13. The first thing I can say is that I never would have believed how much difference a racing seat can make. The first corner I took, I braced myself as usual so as not to fly out the drivers side door, and an amazing thing happened. I didn't move at all. The second corner I hit, I realized what the difference was. The third corner all I could do was grin .

The good:

* Obviously, the holding capability

* The cost

* The look (I got black to match my black interior)

* The weight (It feels about 2/3rds the weight of the stock seat, including the rails).

The questionable:

* The width -- I got the normal seat instead of the wide and I'm a little worried about comfort. I'm a size 32 waist, but it's still very very tight on the rib cage. I'm hoping this is something I will get used to, but I'm also braced to spend the money on a wider model.

* The height -- It definitely sits higher than stock, but somehow this doesn't seem to be a problem. The way I have it mounted is with the rear angled down a bit, so my head doesn't come any closer to the ceiling. Also, I actually seem to be in a bit better driving position. My left knee used to hit the steering wheel from time to time when clutching, but that's not happening now.

The bad:

* It comes with absolutely no instructions. I'm not looking for a detailed walkthrough, but best practices for mounting, or at least the size of the bolts (not included) should be documented. (M8 1.25, by the way)

* The rails scratch up the seat. This is really unavoidable given the materials used. I guess you could put some sort of rubber mat in-between, but that doesn't seem like a great option given the way the weight is transmitted to the rails.

* The automatic seat belts in an s13 don't like the seat very much. The lap belt just barely fits and the shoulder belt snags on the seat, making it hard to move sometimes. This isn't necessarily the seat's fault, though, just a conflict with the s13's auto belts. I'm guessing it would happen with any decent racing seat.

All in all, I'll have to give it a while to see how the fitment goes, but I'm very happy that I can pay attention to driving, now, instead of holding myself in place.

[Slappy]

They come in 2 sizes. Normal and Wide , i bought the wide , and its one of the best things i bought for my car ever. I didnt need directions at all , its just a seat , and i have no complaints about my stock seat belt. Mine came with all the hardware needed.

[mattscar]

Ditch that Automatic seat belt and get a harness or S14 seat belts. I hit my head countless times with that crap.

[Spectre_240sx]

I kinda like the auto seat belts for the retro feel, but with the way the seat is, I may have to get rid of them.

[Slappy]

Im curious , where did you order your seat from? What rails did you buy? I'm just suprised yours didnt come with hardware.

Anyway , make sure to re-tighten all those after awhile.

[White Comet]

Ditch that Automatic seat belt and get a harness or S14 seat belts. I hit my head countless times with that crap.

my car had the auto seat belts disconnected when i bought it but the piece the belt clips into was still there but the plastic casing was gone. i actually hit my head on it a few times and cut myself

Im curious , where did you order your seat from? What rails did you buy? I'm just suprised yours didnt come with hardware.

Anyway , make sure to re-tighten all those after awhile.

i agree id like to know where ppl get these from and what prices different places have

[Slappy]

i agree id like to know where ppl get these from and what prices different places have

Buddy Club Seat - $365

Super Low Down Rails - $160

Place - http://www.mamsparts.com/

[krazydriver]

sportcompactonly has them for $332 PLUS they currently have a special for free shipping Only downside is they don't sell the rails.http://sportcompactonly.com/Bu...6.htm

i think i might pick some up soon for that price.

[White Comet]

alrightm thanks they look really good. so trhe wide ones rub up against the center console at all or do they clear everything ok?

[Slappy]

alrightm thanks they look really good. so trhe wide ones rub up against the center console at all or do they clear everything ok?

Everything clears just fine.

[White Comet]

ok good cuz my current setup is right up against the center console, the seats are just a little too wide

[Slappy]

The Buddy Club super low down rails i have are sliders , and there are 3 notches(holes) on the rails to give you a few seat postions to mess with.

[.Grimace]

i had really liked that seat but i never bought it because its not fia approved. when you go to a scca event you might get some crap for it.

[Slappy]

Most JDM seat are not homologated. All you would need is a bar behind the seat. But for SCCA Solo 2 events , you'll be fine. As you would be for all major drift events in the US , you just wouldnt be allowed to run tandem in the finals , without the support bar.

[White Comet]

interesting i'll keep all this in mind, i'll be looking around and trying to research what seats to get shortly

[Spectre_240sx]

I got the seat from FRSport. The rails are the Buddy Club super low down rails.

Also, as a followup, I'm starting to get used to the width of the seat. It's been fairly comfortable for the past two days driving. I am thinking, however, that I want to get a new steering wheel with a slightly smaller diameter that will give me more room I also think that an extended hub and quick-release would help with this. My knee doesn't hit the current wheel anymore, but when I'm turning and clutching at the same time, sometimes I run into trouble finding room for my hands. It's partially a blessing, though, as it's teaching me to shuffle steer a bit more.

[Slappy]

Wow , im really suprised FRSport didnt supply the hardware. Im sure it was just a packaging error. You should've just called them.

[White Comet]

these are side mount seats right? thats what it looks like form teh pic but i dont like to assume things

[Slappy]

Yes, side mount. You dont want a bottom mount seat in a 240 , unless your 4ft.

[White Comet]

Yes, side mount. You dont want a bottom mount seat in a 240 , unless your 4ft.

yeah i found that out the hard way

[Spectre_240sx]

I could have called, but I'd seen elsewhere that those four bolts were not included as well. I figured that's just what comes with what I bought. Besides, I wanted the seat installed and I didn't feel like waiting for 4 bolts to come in the mail .

Anyway, after spending some more time with it, I'm definitely getting used to the width and I think it's going to work out just fine.

[Tsukiko]

i think it's hilarious that everyone seems to hate the stock auto seatbelts. I've certainly nerver had a problem with them, and quite enjoy them.

it seems some people just cant remember to take a damn second to wait for them or something. or hmmm... sit back a sec and let it seat itself?

my dad nearly strangled himself when i took him for a ride one day... he got all pissed at me like it was my fault...

"well if you hadnt been trying to touch your damned toes immediately after closing the door you would have been fine, Capt. Ramrod..."

yeah, my dad and i have an interesting relationship sometimes... haha i got sidetracked. anyway i dont see what the big effin deal is, unless you have the grace of a bull on rollerskates.

[redtop91]

anyway i dont see what the big effin deal is

Yeah man! Kids and their personal preferences these days!

[Tsukiko]

*in hippy voice*yeah, maaaannn,, its like,

everyone's an individual, man. and people speak their miiiindsss... totally groooovyyy.

[Slappy]

The reason i want S14 seat belts is so i can buy this...

http://www.cg-lock.com/index.html

[White Comet]

The reason i want S14 seat belts is so i can buy this...

http://www.cg-lock.com/index.html

u can use NX belts as well correct?

[Slappy]

u can use NX belts as well correct?

I have'nt heard of that one yet.

[White Comet]

i was a t a junkyard w/ mrgreeneyes and he grabbed the belts out of a nissan NX and they work fine, i havent heard of anyone else that used them but they have no problems

[Slappy]

I'll ask my buddy about this. He owns an old NX.

[mrgreeneyes]

works great. they were out of a 91 pulsar nx IIRC. fit perfect, perfect color... and ten bucks out the door...