My Z3

[t-tony]

Not quite sure how that can be Lee, the seat frame is fastened to top half of the sliding rail isn't it. Just had a look and understand what you mean. It would be possible to lift the seat on the top sliding rail, but I can't for the life of me see how it could achieved. Certainly wouldn't be easy I don't think.
I have some more comments to make later then I will let it rest.

Tony.

 

[zedonist]

I don't think I am old enough for this modification...

 

[Lee]

I have some photos on a thread somewhere. Shame BMW didn't fit lower leg supports on the Z3.

 

[t-tony]

Maybe the seats from another series might fit Lee, if you want the extendable leg supports. I have to say I see quite a lot extended on cars that come into work. Perhaps these are high mileage drivers though.

Tony.

 

[zedonist]

Anybody have thoughts on ARBs, H&R upgrade or polybush the originals?

Ash

H&R ARB is number one handling mod you can do...

 

[zedonist]

I personally love the idea of my seat tilted slightly, when I was working with Dino's car it felt really comfortable. But.....

1) the front studs will be under and increased tensile load because you have moved the load point.

2) when you tilt the front up the rear bolts wont sit flat so you don't get the whole head in contact with the seat rail, again exerting unstable the bolt.

But with stresses and strains we are talking in huge loads which would only be seen in a accident.

Looking at both kits with an engineers eye Tony' kit would be the stronger of the two (because the load is spread)but both are functional for what we need them for.


Sorry guys that's my two pence worth.........the plot thickens

Your wrong, but I can't be bothered to write why, so trust me

 

[Jack Ratt]

The reason it is designed how it is Tony is do it locks the joint in place, once tightened up it cannot move, unlike the tube nut version which will collapse under an impact load.

Safety first!

If you encounter a front end impact load that is high enough to shear all 4 seat studs and to completely negate the seat belt and the airbag you wouldn't need to be bothered about it.

If you lift the front of your seats and have "fresh air" between the seat rail and the floor, my view is that you are undoubtedly weakening the structure. However, if you designed and fitted a triangular wedge to fill the gap you will retain the integrity of the original design.

 

[zedonist]

If you encounter a front end impact load that is high enough to shear all 4 seat studs and to completely negate the seat belt and the airbag you wouldn't need to be bothered about it.

If you lift the front of your seats and have "fresh air" between the seat rail and the floor, my view is that you are undoubtedly weakening the structure. However, if you designed and fitted a triangular wedge to fill the gap you will retain the integrity of the original design.

I agree when I designed this with Barry I said it needed a wedge at the back. To be honest the best solution is to fit a one piece ramped sub frame, but who is going to go to that cost, I just don't see the point, I find the seats more than adequate as they are...