Donor seats?

[ChrisMiami]

I’ve been looking at Mustang auctions and falling in love with some of the GT500 seats out there - Ricaro racing seats.

But I’ve heard there isn’t a lot of space inside. Do you think I’d be able to wedge in some donor racing seats?

Thanks!

[burchfieldb]

It will depend on how big they are. The Sparco seats I have are not big and there is little room to spare. I think there are only a handful that will fit.

191584191585

[Stangarang]

I bought a set of Corbeau RRS seats in white. They are 21 inches wide and that's about as wide as you can comfortable fit in there.
Michael

[ChrisMiami]

Sorry for being ignorant - where do you take the measurement at? I’m assuming probably the outer edge of what gets bolted on (the track). But most seats have padding that rolls out further than that - so is *that* the width? Thanks guys!

[Jeff Kleiner]

...where do you take the measurement at?...

Widest point of the seat itself, not the track.

Jeff

[edwardb]

These are the seats I have in my Coupe: https://corbeau.com/racing-seats/evolution-x/. You could use the dimensions listed as a guide. They just fit with two caveats: (1) Mine were purchased 5 years ago. A couple builders have used them since. I used Corbeau Single Slider Brackets C22059 (universal size recommended, lowest available from Corbeau) and seems there has been a change since I bought mine. They still fit with these sliders but apparently very tight against the roll cage. (2) These seats don't go all the way back against the back wall. Maybe leave an inch or a little more of unusable space. OK for me because I'm not tall (5'9"). I don't recommend them when looking for maximum driver/passenger space.

[ChrisMiami]

It sounds like this one might actually fit - at least on the floor. My guess is there’ll be enough shoulder room for a couple inches of the head-protection wings…

https://www.cnagel.com/images/posted/coupe/ffrforum/Recaro-1.jpg

[Stangarang]

You're not being ignorant at all. Some of this is confusing. The measurement that was supplied from Corbeau was taken at the front of the seat at its base where your thighs would sit. This is the widest point of the base. The back bolster is a little wider at the top, but it is above the transmission tunnel and isn't a major factor. I hope this helps and good luck.
Michael

[Rian_Colorado]

I'll start by saying that I have the same seats as Burch (above) Sparco GridQ (large).

I tried the Corbeau RRX seats, and the DID work, but wouldn't have been right for me as I couldn't get them ALL the way back. Paul (above) has mentioned this about his as well - and I was hoping I could shoe horn them - but alas, I should have listened..... These weren't exactly the same seats as Paul had used, but they were nearly identical in dimension. Long story short, I spent some money (buying and re-selling) learning a few things.

I DID spend a LOT of hours making brackets and various adjustments with the Sparco seats as well. I'm fairly certain that there's NO WAY to get a full sized seat any further back than I did. (and I had to take out the sliders I was trying to use, as the extra .75" REALLY made a difference in my head not contacting things when I'm in the seat.)

I wouldn't suggest going ANY wider than the Corbeau seats Paul has, and even then know that you're going to sacrifice some leg/headroom.

From conversations with several builders, I think the stock shorty FFR seats probably get you the MOST leg room (if you're worried about height). I really wanted a taller seat back - and I think in that world there are a few Corbeau's that work, a few Sparco's, and some things from Kirkey as well. I haven't seen ANY other transplanted seats from other production cars though. (Maybe some Miata or Corvette seats?). It was certainly one of the trickier parts of the build for me.191660

[rhk118]

Agree with everything said above on the Corbeau's. The Evolution X's stop at the tabs and while legroom there is OK for me (5'11") the steering wheel is in my lap and I still have 2-3 inches behind the top of the Corbeau to the roll cage in back. If I tip them back 25 degrees so the top of the seat touches the roll cage then arm length for me is OK but leg angle is off. Corbeau let me test fit a warranty-returned RRX recliner seat with same footprint at the Evolution X and it fit, but with reclining interestingly legs were too cramped and arm length was ok. Sent that back. Will be selling the Corbeau's I have. The FFR vinyl Cobra seats are perfect because they fit between the tabs and angle is perfect against the back of the cockpit for me. With the Breeze seat angle adapters they feel better, arm and leg length are great for me. I'm intrigued looking at these Sparco's guys. I'm "husky" (charismatic dog with blue eyes, not fat haha) so the race seats tend to cramp me a bit. I fit in the Kirkey lowbacks though, so still searching for the perfect seat if it exists.

Chris - This Recaro's look close. The taps are 430 mm apart. That seat says the bottom is 406 mm, but the brackets flare out a bit. See if they can give you a measurement edge to edge of the seat mount brackets. If less than 430 mm then they will be narrower than the tabs and good chance you can get it pretty far back (doesn't mean seat will clear the tabs though height-wise).