New Racing seat for my 89 240sx

[sabretooth91]

Hey guys. Question for you.
I'm planning on installing 1 or 2 racing seats in my 89 240sx. I'd like to go Sparco. I know this can get pricey, so I'd like to see if I can figure out everything that I'll need ahead of time. Can anyone let me know everything I'll need to install it?

I know I'll need the bucket seat (duh), 3-5 point harness, Sparco mounting brackets.
Is there anything else? I'm having a hard time picturing how the harness attaches to the seat. I've seen some pictures with some kind of bar behind the seat, that the harness mounts to. Is this something I'll need? Anything else? Thanks in advance!

[compactfean]

Yeah, sparco seats and rails if new, will cost upwards of $2000. I personally like courbeau. cheaper without being ”cheap” and my lg1 is the must comfy seat I've had in my car. I would check my local safety laws, because some places require you to maintain the oem seat belt and will give you a seat belt ticket when wearing 5 points. As far as the mounting points, the best places are you back seat belt mounting points unless you have a roll cage which you would have the seat belts bolt to your cage. Me personally, if this is a street car, use your oem belts (or switch to manual seat belts) and bolt the buckle to the rail (yes there is a spot for it.

[sabretooth91]

Thanks for that! So, I can bolt the 5 point harness to the back of the seat?

[sabretooth91]

My research has led me to this:
Sparco:
R100 Seat - $330
Seat Base - $110
Hardware kit - $7
Track set - $70
Harness - $109
Total - $626

Corbeau:
Forza Seat - $239
Harness - $85
Bracket & Sliders - $99
Total - $423

Seems like Corbeau is the best way to go. Under $500 for a brand new seat and harness. Sounds good to me! Do they include all of the mounting hardware too?

[compactfean]

No, the rails have a spot for the stock seat belt buckle, 5 point harness will need 5 septate bolting points, which usually get bolted where the old seat belt stuff used to be or where the back seat belts used to be bolted. A roll cage just makes it easier to mount the 2 strips that go through the seat.

[sabretooth91]

ok, so I'm looking at a 4-point harness now (or mayyyybe 3-point). So, where exactly does this connect (bolt) to?

[compactfean]

I think they do. I found my corbeaus used with sliders and had them reupholstered with leather bolsters and a not so rice look. All together, I spent 650 and for the material I used would have easily cost me $1200 for both seats. The cloth seats are dirt cheap and don't last long no matter what company makes them....... 2 years tops and they start to fade.

[sabretooth91]

oh, Corbeau says they bolt right into the factory mounting points. Although I'm not sure where that is I'm guessing where the stock shoulder strap comes from, on the lower outside, and the lower inside...?

[sabretooth91]

Thanks for that cloth tip. That's a very good point. I was going to get cloth. Maybe I'll do something a bit more robust like leather. Do they make red leather? I'll check.

[compactfean]

You can do a 5 point, left side strap, bolt it to where your old lap belt used to go, same thing with right strap. Then the crotch section, you will need a plate welded under the seat to bolt the crotch strap. Then the 2 straps that go thtough the seat (shoulder straps) you can bolt up to where your back seat belts are.

[compactfean]

Corbeau has a spot for the STOCK seat belt and buckle. I can post a pic if you'd like.

[sabretooth91]

where the back seat belts are? ohhhh, cool! So, no passengers back there, huh?

I'm sure people would appreciate pics.

[compactfean]

Thanks for that cloth tip. That's a very good point. I was going to get cloth. Maybe I'll do something a bit more robust like leather. Do they make red leather? I'll check.

Not sure on that but I wouldn't do leather for the back section or the butt section... You will stick to it like glue. I got to choose my material so was able to use an extremely durable cloth for that section. Also microsuede is cool and all but is way to difficult to keep clean or even clown at all! I highly recommend leather bolsters at minimum.

[sabretooth91]

Thanks for that cloth tip. That's a very good point. I was going to get cloth. Maybe I'll do something a bit more robust like leather. Do they make red leather? I'll check.

Not sure on that but I wouldn't do leather for the back section or the butt section... You will stick to it like glue. I got to choose my material so was able to use an extremely durable cloth for that section. Also microsuede is cool and all but is way to difficult to keep clean or even clown at all! I highly recommend leather bolsters at minimum.

Roger that!

[sabretooth91]

Yeah, this is what they have available per seat
Cloth: $239.00
Black Vinyl: $239.00
Cloth Wide: $299.00
Suede: $299.00

...not sure what cloth wide means

[compactfean]

I have sentra manual seat belts and where the stock buckle is, bolts to the slider for safety.

[compactfean]

Cloth wide just means the seat is wider for like a 34-36 ” waste. All the other seats are meant for skinny 28” waste chinese kids. Lol the seats a have used to be suede wide.

[sabretooth91]

ah ha. very cool. I have a 32" waist I i don't think I need wide. I might have to go with cloth though, given my options....

[compactfean]

I was just looking up those seats and yeah,.not to many options for that seat. I guess just get your windows tinted with that mercedes uv tint and your seats will never fade! Lol

[sabretooth91]

I was just looking up those seats and yeah,.not to many options for that seat. I guess just get your windows tinted with that mercedes uv tint and your seats will never fade! Lol

I live in NYS (most lame traffic laws ever!)
I'll try telling the cop that's why my windows are so dark!
Seriously, I was planning on tinting them anyway. Now I have another reason.

[compactfean]

The mercedes uv stuff is actually a blueIsh clear color. They use it specifically to preserve the interior on the expensive luxury cars and is an oem tint for them so is legal, plus you can actually see out of it! Lol

[sabretooth91]

Thats cool. Thanks! Can you get it at your local tint shop?

[compactfean]

The guy that told me about it works at best buy and can order it...... I'm sure a place that only does tint should rather have it, or can get it.

[Vehicle336]

Just a note of caution on the harnesses. In case you ever actually get in a roll over, if you're wearing the 4-5 point harness in a fixed-back seat with no proper roll bar or cage you run a serious risk of injury.

Why you ask? Simple, when your car rolls on to the roof and the roof begins to collapse you'll have nowhere to go. I.E. the roof will cage right in on your head, and because you're essentially tied in you won't have anywhere to duck, you're stuck to that seat. Not safe imo. Run the seats sure, but until you have the proper roll-over protection, use the stock belts.

Obviously being in a roll-over is a rarity, but stranger things have happened.

[sabretooth91]

Just a note of caution on the harnesses. In case you ever actually get in a roll over, if you're wearing the 4-5 point harness in a fixed-back seat with no proper roll bar or cage you run a serious risk of injury.

Why you ask? Simple, when your car rolls on to the roof and the roof begins to collapse you'll have nowhere to go. I.E. the roof will cage right in on your head, and because you're essentially tied in you won't have anywhere to duck, you're stuck to that seat. Not safe imo. Run the seats sure, but until you have the proper roll-over protection, use the stock belts.

Obviously being in a roll-over is a rarity, but stranger things have happened.

Exelent advise! Thank you!