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Ordered these "racing" seats - anyone familiar?

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Old 11-07-04, 01:39 AM
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Om Namah Shivaya

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Ordered these "racing" seats - anyone familiar?




From what I understand, these are supposed to be very close replicas of the mega$ Bride Brix II's. They appeared to be pretty good quality, and come in a grippy fake alcantara material, and at only $199 each, [which includes shipping], I figured why not... So I ordered an all-grey pair to put in my newly purchased 'vert.

I ordered directly from http://www.tommotorsport.com/ and was able to pay via PayPal. The next day, a rep from the shop even called me to confirm my order, so it seems like they heve great customer service.


I'm just curious if anyone else has these seats, or has any experience with them...

Last edited by busy13b; 11-07-04 at 01:42 AM.
Old 11-07-04, 02:13 AM
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those are some crazy knockoffs and use of that product may be fatal to your health in case of an accident or something. They haven't been tested for impact resistance or breakage. As they say, you get what you pay for. Good luck with the seats.
Old 11-07-04, 02:28 AM
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Mega buck seats are made of carbon fiber and kevlar, these are probably just steal framed seats. Youll be fine.
Old 11-07-04, 02:44 AM
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Exclamation

I dont have any experience with them but I wouldnt worry about the safety issue. As long as they arent totally crap they should be as safe as stock. I just ordered some imitation mazdaspeed seats myself. I have been in a wreck where the cars stock drivers seat twisted to the point of pinning my legs (sitting behind the driver) so nothings perfect. Sure the real thing is probably better but not everyone has 800-1000 dollars to spend on seats. I wouldnt skimp on belts though. Decent steel for seats frames and mounts wont vary much but webbing and stitching can vary greatly between a factory and a sweatshop.
Old 11-07-04, 04:15 AM
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I know a friend who bought a set locally cheap and then sold them a couple of months later.

They are Very very hard - padding is really cheap
Old 11-07-04, 08:54 AM
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report on confort and weight when you get them,.. i love the little rotor shaped adjustment ****...
Old 11-07-04, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by -TAL-
I know a friend who bought a set locally cheap and then sold them a couple of months later.

They are Very very hard - padding is really cheap

That's kinda disappointing to hear, but that was the type of feedback I'm looking for, thanks!
Old 11-07-04, 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by drago86
report on confort and weight when you get them,.. i love the little rotor shaped adjustment ****...
I will most definately do a write-up on them once they get here and I can fab up some kind of mounting bracket.
Old 11-07-04, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by VietFC
those are some crazy knockoffs and use of that product may be fatal to your health in case of an accident or something. They haven't been tested for impact resistance or breakage. As they say, you get what you pay for. Good luck with the seats.
^ I agree. Then again, I view seats as a safety feature rather than bling.

Actual racing seats do not recline. Even the real Bride Brix II seats are not legal for racing because seats that recline will break on severe impact, and break your spine in the process. However, sport seats that recline are fine for street driving and low-risk events like autocross.
Old 11-07-04, 11:07 AM
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Not only do actual racing seats not recline, but are made of composite materials and are designed to keep the body planted. I put quotes in the tite of this thread for a reason.

In no way, shape or form are the seats going to be put through any form of motorsport competition. These are simply going to be an inexpensive alternative to the delapidated, destroyed factory seats that are the car now.
Old 11-07-04, 02:08 PM
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my boss just purchased from them for our shop vehicle... the quality is cheap, but they looked great, and were pretty comfertable! so, if your on a tight budget, go for it! if you can save some $$$$$$$$, and get some better ones... thats the way to go! but they were fine, so dont worry too much
Old 04-06-05, 02:45 AM
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It's been awhile, but I thought I'd post a small review and a few pics:


- They are pretty lightweight seats, definately a few pounds lighter then the stock leather 'vert seats.

- The alcantara material is grippy but seems pretty thin. Not too sure how the seats will wear over time.

- Very comfortable to sit in. Very agressive bolstering in the side and legs. I have a 33'' waist, and I'd say these are the ideal width for my torso.


I'm still working on a bracket solution, but I did test fit the seats and they will fit fine - no rubbing issues with the bolsters or anything like that.



Size comaprison with stock seat:


Old 04-06-05, 02:46 AM
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Original:






Quick test fit:


Last edited by busy13b; 04-06-05 at 02:54 AM.
Old 04-06-05, 02:57 AM
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they look nice but daaaamn.... don't miss the seat when sitting down or you may never have children again!
Old 04-06-05, 02:58 AM
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And the lucky recipient after a quick bath today:







Last edited by busy13b; 04-06-05 at 03:02 AM.
Old 04-06-05, 03:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Karack
they look nice but daaaamn.... don't miss the seat when sitting down or you may never have children again!

LOL... Yes, there is a bit of a "step-over" you must do
Old 04-06-05, 07:45 AM
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"You get what you pay for."
I pity you getting into an accident and finding the seat failing and possibly killing you.
If you think your life is worth the $199 for a cheap seat, then that's your decision.

Personally, I would pay for MOMO, Sparco, Koenig, or Recaro.
Racing seats are like helmets - how much is your life worth to you?

These cheap knock-off's have been popular recently, and a lot of vendors claim they are real Brides (dumbasses) on eBay.

"If the deal is too good to be true, it is."

And before you start going off about real seats costing too much, there are cheap MOMO and Sparco seats under $400 easily - try do a web search.


-Ted
Old 04-06-05, 08:24 AM
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corbeau forza's can be had for about $220 shipped from a few shops online. FIA certified. Can't do much better than that.
Old 04-06-05, 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by RETed
"You get what you pay for."
I pity you getting into an accident and finding the seat failing and possibly killing you.
If you think your life is worth the $199 for a cheap seat, then that's your decision.

Personally, I would pay for MOMO, Sparco, Koenig, or Recaro.
Racing seats are like helmets - how much is your life worth to you?

These cheap knock-off's have been popular recently, and a lot of vendors claim they are real Brides (dumbasses) on eBay.

"If the deal is too good to be true, it is."

And before you start going off about real seats costing too much, there are cheap MOMO and Sparco seats under $400 easily - try do a web search.


-Ted
He had a good point though...

If he is not racing the car at all, those cheap knock offs aren't bad as a stock replacement for a daily driven car. For any sort of racing, I agree with you!
Old 04-06-05, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by busy13b
Not only do actual racing seats not recline, but are made of composite materials and are designed to keep the body planted. I put quotes in the title of this thread for a reason.

In no way, shape or form are the seats going to be put through any form of motorsport competition. These are simply going to be an inexpensive alternative to the delapidated, destroyed factory seats that are the car now.
Just to reiterate what I already stated in this thread.


Yeah. Something about a heavy, slow covnertable and racing just don't belong in the same sentence.
Old 04-06-05, 11:49 AM
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those seats look decent. those convertiable seats look like a monster from a B 80's movie.
Old 04-06-05, 12:14 PM
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Convertible seats are supportive since they have side bolsters and the back and bottom, headrest is large because of the speakers. The seats are actually light, the rails are heavy.

I'd take the convertible seats over some cheap knock offs anyday. I appreciate airbags, seatbelts also.

As for the heavy slow convertible comment- it's all relative, the 2nd gen vert was quick for its time and an excellent handling car when you hit the turns
Old 04-06-05, 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by pmr2000
Convertible seats are supportive since they have side bolsters and the back and bottom, headrest is large because of the speakers. The seats are actually light, the rails are heavy.

I'd take the convertible seats over some cheap knock offs anyday. I appreciate airbags, seatbelts also.

As for the heavy slow convertible comment- it's all relative, the 2nd gen vert was quick for its time and an excellent handling car when you hit the turns

I like the factory seats as well, but wanted to try something else.

Excellent handling and quick for it's time?

From an '89 Motor Trend test [IE the more powerful S5]:


0-60: 10.70
1/4 mile: 18.06 @82.6mph
skidpad: .83g
600ft slalom: 58.95mph

I'd say that's at best, mediocre, even for the late 80's/early '90's


Don't get me wrong, I love the 'verts, but for different reasons then lightness, nimbleness and quick accel.



**edit - okay, those numbers are for an automatic, but still..
Old 04-06-05, 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by KNONFS
He had a good point though...

If he is not racing the car at all, those cheap knock offs aren't bad as a stock replacement for a daily driven car.
If you're just going to sit in the garage and admire your car without moving it, then I'd agree with you.
In reality, you can't predict someone rear-ending your car.
I'd like to see these cheap knock-off's handle a 50mph (differential) rear end collision without failing.
If the seat fails, you'll usually end up with head trauma and / or spinal injury.

This has nothing to do with racing or speed.


-Ted
Old 04-06-05, 10:59 PM
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chill out, know how many stock seats i have seen in the wrecking yards twisted like a pretzel? get off his *** about it, sheesh.........................


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