Lotus Elise seats in an S
Lotus Elise seats in an S
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The Big G

Original Poster:

1,004 posts

197 months

Sunday 12th May 2013
quotequote all
I'm sure I have read in the past that someone has fitted Lotus Elise seats into an S.

They are comfortable and offer quite a lot more support that the standard seats. Mine have completely collapsed so anything is an improvement. They are also thiner and lower so should help my comfort too.

As the search is down, does anyone have a link of photos of a pair in situ?

Many thanks

G

S2Mike

3,065 posts

179 months

Sunday 12th May 2013
quotequote all
[url]

|http://thumbsnap.com/Y2mg9NrA[/url]
.
None of Elise seats but here are MX5 seats that I fitted on recommendation from Bountyhunter.
They are thinner backed, but sit a little higher than standard, with more lateral support, IMHO.
So being shorter than some people they are better plus there is more room to recline the backs, aiding comfort.
These were £80 the pair, including runners.
Would have thought Elise would be more costly?

Alan Whitaker

2,054 posts

211 months

Sunday 12th May 2013
quotequote all
Hi
I have a set of Lotus Esprit as a temp setup, like the new Lotus so may look for a new set when the time comes. Thea seats are nice to sit in.



Alan

The Big G

Original Poster:

1,004 posts

197 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the photos of some other options, I also have a set of chimaera seats in the loft as another option too.

I liked the look of the elise seats as they are thinner and lower than many other options while still not looking too much like an after market bucket seat. This is because I am quite tall, it may allow me to fit a rear roll bar while also giving me more support/lower driving position.

My current seats are well past it. The metal at the bottom has rusted through, the seams have ripped and the leather is all tough and hard. Looking at at least £800 for them both to be recovered. Which will still leave me with the original problems. There was a cheap set of elise seats with runneres on ebay that went for just over £100 that with a recolour and a repair would have hopefully fitted well, but i was too slow. Others are generally going around the £400 mark. Will have to keep my eyes open and see what comes up. These look like they would just bolt in after drilling new holes in the floor while using the original seat belts. I will still keep the originals for originalitys sake, or in case I change my mind in the future!

Any other ideas welcome. I believe that jag seats will suffer from the same problem as mx5 seats with increasing the seat height unfortunately.


S2Mike

3,065 posts

179 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
I dont know exactly the method but several people have performed a "foamectomy" to reduce the amount of foam in the seat base, thereby lowering the seated position. Bountyhunter, was one of these guys. and TurboTony if I remember correctly has Jaguar seats in his "S".
The MX5 seats use two of the existing holes in the floor for locating pins and two bolts use 2 others so its just 2 holes to drill and two to fill with a grommet,
and with a "foamectomy" all could be well placed.
Maybe a good idea to try out some of our variations before commiting to an answer?
If you can get to an S meet or are passing near Stratford on Avon you are welcome to drop in and have a "sit in"

Edited by S2Mike on Tuesday 14th May 13:59

TVR TELL

281 posts

175 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
Hi
Whats wrong with fitting the chimaera seats that you have ?

Terry

The Big G

Original Poster:

1,004 posts

197 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
TVR TELL said:
Hi
Whats wrong with fitting the chimaera seats that you have?

Terry
These are the style of seat I was thinking of, really not quite sure if they'll look right though.

The Chimaera seats will suffer from the same problems as my current seats, will sit too high. The thick backs when compared to the elise seats will make fitting a roll bar difficult too.

I could try a foamectomy on the Chimaera seats, but that would still leave me with a thick back.

Although I am open to other suggeations that could help to solve the issue.