Transformation #2 - The Seats

The very first time I took a car out on a track I quickly realized that the seats I had found so comfortable and accomodating during my commute (aka the "daily drive") were completely unsuitable for track duty. I was sliding all over the place - yes, it was taking most of my effort just to keep my ass behind the wheel!

While some cars have seriously decent OEM seats (Nick's GT3, for example), the Boxster was equipped with flat, tired, worn-out, pieces of... junk. They were a mess. Replacing the seats would be the next project.

Racing seats are purchased in much the same manner as you get shoes. You go to a race shop and you sit your derriere in seats of various widths. Once you butt is snug, your back is comfortable, and your wallet can stomach it... you buy a seat. Wait, you buy two seats. Unlike shoes, seats are not sold in pairs. Ouch.

We knew we wanted 6-point harnesses, so our seats had to have all of the proper holes in them - no big deal. We found two very nice "Momo" fiberglass seats that were on close-out for about $400 each. Sold! Most seats don't bolt directly into the "rails" (the metal sliders on the floor). You need to buy those too (add about $100 per side). This is painful.

Sitting in my garage, I decided to pull the passenger side seat first. I didn't know how long it would take (and I knew I needed hardware), so I would do all my "learning" on that one. With socket wrench in hand, and a special star-type socket set (thank you Sears) I made quick work of the OEM bolts. The seat was loose, but it was held in by the wires from the power cords (power seats), and the seat belts. I cut the wires with wire cutters, and unbolted the seat belt from the "B pillar" (the pillar behind the driver and passenger). The seat was heavy, so I dragged it out of my car onto the floor of the garage. My painter just happened to be there painting doors inside my house, so I gave him the seat (so, if you ever see a mid-80's Toyota pick-up with a Porsche Boxster seat...).

Seats (and rails) don't have instructions. Dig back deep into your memory for your long-lost "erector set" skills - you will need them at this point. After about 60 minutes of "laying things out" I headed over to Home Depot for some hardware. I purchased special grade bolts (read all about that stuff here), and I started putting everything together. Do not tighten anything until you have all of the bolts in their proper places - much easier, isn't it? I found it was easiest to assemble and mount the seat rail, and then mount the seat into the car. As they say, your experience may vary.

Remembering the female recepticle of the seat belt was bolted to the OEM seat, I ran out to the painter's truck and removed it. Whew, that was close. Belt receptible in hand, I re-mounted the "street" belts to work with the new seat (remembering to thread them through the lap harness hole). It was done!

Little did I know that this was the beginning of my seat nightmare...

- Mike