Jantzer98SS

iTrader: (54)

Well as it turned out, we are required to run stock style seats (driver & passenger) in the max NA class at the GM West Coast Shootout on April 13. It sucks to have to run the passenger seat and it would have been better to just run one Forza seat for me. If a milk crate was legal, I'de do it....but it's not. J/K <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

So I decided to see what kind of weight I could save within the limits of the rules. Yes I've become quite resourceful lately with my mods. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> The first thing I did is weighed my stock seats/brackets.

Driver's Side Power: 40lbs
Passenger Side: 29lbs

So my primary motivation was to lose the power seat and essentially run 2 passenger seats. But the mounting brackets are different between the two so I couldn't just get another passenger side slider assembly and mount it on the drivers side. Then I dropped by the wrecking yard and found a NON-power drivers bracket/slider. And it weighed a heft 12lbs itself. So I passed.

So I pull off the passenger side slider/bracket and weighed it...only 6lbs. Then I weigh the recliner mechanism... 3lbs. And the bare seat comes in at 19lbs. I strip down the driver's side and weigh the power slider/bracket and OUCH...15lbs. The seat itself is identical to the driver's side...only 19lbs. FIY, the Corbeau Forza weighs 16lbs...not too much of a difference...and stock is obviously more comfortable and STEALTHY!

So I got creative and picked up some scrap aluminum. After plenty of measuring, drilling, fabricating, grinding, and fitting....this is what I came up with. It's simple, light, and extremely sturdy.

http://sjantzer.freewebspace.com/images/bracket1.jpg

http://sjantzer.freewebspace.com/images/bracket2.jpg

http://sjantzer.freewebspace.com/images/5ptharness.jpg

Because the brackets/reclinder replacements are black, you can't really tell the quality of construction and how sturdy they are. And in my opinion, they look much cleaner than stock, are very easy to install/remove, and clear the roll bar nicely unlike the stock seats.

The bottom line....3.5lb brackets per seat

Recap:

Stock = 40lbs driver, 29lbs pass.
Mine = 23 lbs / 23 lbs.
Weight savings of 23lbs from stock & a whopping 17lbs. off the driver's seat. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Just dropped my raceweight to under 3300lbs. With many more weight reduction mods on the agenda including but not limited to:

P/A K-member
Lighter SFC's (tubular vs. boxed)
Ligher Chromemoly LCA's vs. boxed
Dynabat
Carbon Fiber T-tops <---Yep under construction!
Fiberglass Hatch w/Lexan Window
!Rear Bumper Support

-165lbs or so

I just hope I can get it done before April 13. Can anybody say 10'sssssss NA on Et Streets.

2000 Camaro SS

Can't see the pics I get this

"Forbidden
Remote Host: [208.185.127.161]

You do not have permission to access http://sjantzer.freewebspace.com/images/bracket1.jpg
Data files must be stored on the same site they are linked from.

Thank you for using freewebspace.com"

JS

iTrader: (4)

Granted u saved alittle weight but after making the same kind of bracket for my car I didnt like a fixed seat.

So I went to the yard and bought a manual driver side bracket from a Camaro.Ure r saving 9lbs over my factory bracket but u cant adj. your seat and when I race I like the seat up close to the wheel.

JS

<small>[ March 28, 2002, 09:41 AM: Message edited by: JS ]</small>

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

Looks neat. Is that just metal scrap from home base?

Jantzer98SS

iTrader: (54)

2000 Camaro SS:

Sometimes you just have to right click on the link, chose properties, and copy and paste the link in the window above.

JS:

A little weight?? 23lbs! That's almost a P/A K-member. The manual drivers seat bracket is 12lbs, only 3lbs less than the power and a whopping 9lbs heavier than my bracket. Not to mention the other 3lbs for the recliner. I fixed my seat the way I like to drive it....so it's a non issue for me. It's not that hard to swap mounting bases, and this is for people that are looking for an alternative to a racing seat....because it's only 3-4lbs heavier than most corbeau or kirkey style seats.

Terry:

It's just some angle stock cut to similar length to the stock bracket. The passenger side is more tricky because the floor gets in the way a little, but nothing a 1" washer couldn't take care of.

JS

iTrader: (4)

Jan your not understanding my post.I had the manual seats LOOONG before u even thought about this setup.I had your brackets too.I made them also.

I decided to just run the man. bracket GM makes.
So u r 9lbs lighter than me.Sorry not worth the effort and u cant adj. the seat.But if like it then more power to ya

Good Luck.

JS

<small>[ March 28, 2002, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: JS ]</small>

GeorgeC

Pretty slick idea... Looks nice. You have the stock seats almost as light as my plastic race seats/brackets are, with a much stealthier look.

JS

iTrader: (4)

Terry I saved 41lbs going to the kmember but added the rear which put 30 back in the car.So yes technically I only lost 11lbs but I kept my weight from going up 30lbs.

JS

MysticZ28

Nice job Scott ... I'll probably have to take out the empty Burger King wrappers now, so I can compete <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> But, I'm keeping the Patsy Cline CD!!

PaiN

Looks good Janntzer, and an easy way to save weight!

Jantzer98SS

iTrader: (54)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JS:
<strong>Jan your not understanding my post.I had the manual seats LOOONG before u even thought about this setup.I had your brackets too.I made them also.

I decided to just run the man. bracket GM makes.
So u r 9lbs lighter than me.Sorry not worth the effort and u cant adj. the seat.But if like it then more power to ya

Good Luck.

JS</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">First of all, my name is Jantzer...not Jan. Yah, I'll give you all the credit....I didn't mean to offend you and steal all of your ideas?? Who are you to tell me it's not worth all the effort? It's an awesome weight reduction mod if you ask me. And according to the manual bracket that I weighed, your seat should be right at 37lbs, that's 14lbs heavier than my setup. And I'm **** enough to appreciate the weight difference because after a while it all adds up. You bought the front A-arms and you're giving me a hard time??? I spent $0 for a better gain.....and you're knocking it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

No offense, I'm just trying to share "what I consider to be" valuable information....and share what I think is a pretty good alternative to a racing seat. Afterall, I think you have to make your own brackets for the racing seats anyway.

And thank you PaiN for your post on racing seats and the pictures of your brackets. I'll keep you updated on the Carbon Fiber T-tops.

MysticZ28: That's pretty funny. I might come down to race at Sactown next saturday. Since I'm not doing alot of the mods I wanted to, I thought I would try and dial it in some more.
It just depends on when my P/A K-member gets here and what all I'll have left to do the following week.

I don't think I'll be doing the lexan hatch because I have a hard enough time hooking as it is.

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

.... as JS spends $400 to save 10# with PA aarms.

GeorgeC

Jantzer, I'd be careful about a lexan rear window (or any other lexan, for that matter), as a lot of racing organizations will not allow any lexan on a "street car." I believe the NSCA is this way. Lightweight body parts are also limited to hoods and bumpers...

Just something to watch out for. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

JS

iTrader: (4)

Janzter,If I came off cocky I'm sorry.
Good luck your your bracket.

JS

Jantzer98SS

iTrader: (54)

Thanks for the headsup GeorgeC. I'll bring my stock T-tops along just in case. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> But if my Carbon Fiber tops are high quality and painted nice, nobody should even notice.

JS:

I appreciate it no hard feelings. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />