Head position wearing a helmet - fixes?
Discussion
I've got a 2-Eleven, but I'm sure this problem must apply to Exiges and Elises as well as they share the same seats, tub etc. When I wear a helmet in the car my head is pushed too far forward by the headrest. Without a helmet my head's touching the headrest when I'm sat comfortably and looking horizontally out at the road, but with a helmet my head is pushed forwards so I'm staring down at the dials and it's pretty uncomfortable on long journeys (to trackdays for example) - I've just done an hour in the car and my neck's aching as a result.
Has anyone had this problem in an Elise, Exige or 2-Eleven and fixed it somehow? One solution I can think of is angling the seat back, but if I just put a spacer on the front mounting points then all four mounting bolts will then be at an angle to the chassis and seat surfaces, which puts strain on them and isn't ideal (unless I fashioned a wedge shaped washer to match the angle I suppose.. I have access to a milling machine). The other idea would be to get my seats re-trimmed with less padding behind the head, although that's obviously much more expensive. The third idea I had, which I'm not very keen on, is to replace the seats with racing bucket seats, which of course usually have a horizontal side mounting into a frame and therefore allow the seat to be tilted, plus they're designed for use with a helmet anyway and from experience racing cars with them I've never had this problem with them. That last idea doesn't appeal because my car was a special order in Lotus 49 colours, and the same leather's been used on the seats and steering wheel to match the Lotus 49:
Has anyone had this problem and solved it? I was just interested in people's thoughts before I embark on one of the above solutions.
Has anyone had this problem in an Elise, Exige or 2-Eleven and fixed it somehow? One solution I can think of is angling the seat back, but if I just put a spacer on the front mounting points then all four mounting bolts will then be at an angle to the chassis and seat surfaces, which puts strain on them and isn't ideal (unless I fashioned a wedge shaped washer to match the angle I suppose.. I have access to a milling machine). The other idea would be to get my seats re-trimmed with less padding behind the head, although that's obviously much more expensive. The third idea I had, which I'm not very keen on, is to replace the seats with racing bucket seats, which of course usually have a horizontal side mounting into a frame and therefore allow the seat to be tilted, plus they're designed for use with a helmet anyway and from experience racing cars with them I've never had this problem with them. That last idea doesn't appeal because my car was a special order in Lotus 49 colours, and the same leather's been used on the seats and steering wheel to match the Lotus 49:
Has anyone had this problem and solved it? I was just interested in people's thoughts before I embark on one of the above solutions.
On one of my secondhand and battered Exige seats the pad directly behind your head had fallen off.
It was only fixed in place with thick double-sided tape, I've no idea if this is the OEM method usd, but it may be possible to pull yours off for more room (and re-attach with velco if you ever use it without a helmet).
The padding is about 20mm thick, so I think it'd make a noticable difference.
Nice 2-Eleven BTW. My Elise is green and Mrs Muppet vetoed red seats.
It was only fixed in place with thick double-sided tape, I've no idea if this is the OEM method usd, but it may be possible to pull yours off for more room (and re-attach with velco if you ever use it without a helmet).
The padding is about 20mm thick, so I think it'd make a noticable difference.
Nice 2-Eleven BTW. My Elise is green and Mrs Muppet vetoed red seats.
Haven't found a problem wearing an Arai helmet, but the following may help as it tips seat back :-
http://www.seriouslylotus.com/sector111-products/s...
Probably going to buy some myself to get lower in the car
Dave
http://www.seriouslylotus.com/sector111-products/s...
Probably going to buy some myself to get lower in the car
Dave
I've got very long legs and a short torso, so sadly the opposite of who that kit is designed for.Dave211 said:
You sure your seat hasn't got spacers on the rear, making it more upright ? I know mine haven't any spacers front or back and with a helmet on I have to tip my head back for helmet to touch the headrest.
That's an interesting suggestion; the previous owner was quite short - I'll take a look. Thanks.ETA: No spacers, just checked.
Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 27th February 23:52
Sounds like the issue is your seats aren't designed to be used when wearing a helmet (but your car of course is).
If the top part of the seat you rest your head on does not remove, you could have it re-trimmed, to make it removable. Get the trimmer to cut the foam, re-trim it and attach it with velcro. Would likely cost a few hundred quid.
The real solution though (as you say), is get proper race seats with side mounts and designed for use with a helmet. You could just get the one seat and fit that and put the originals in storage, safe and sound for if/when you sell the car. You can do as much messing around as you want swapping them over for every time you do a track day, or just leave the race seat in until the day you advertise the car for sale.
If the top part of the seat you rest your head on does not remove, you could have it re-trimmed, to make it removable. Get the trimmer to cut the foam, re-trim it and attach it with velcro. Would likely cost a few hundred quid.
The real solution though (as you say), is get proper race seats with side mounts and designed for use with a helmet. You could just get the one seat and fit that and put the originals in storage, safe and sound for if/when you sell the car. You can do as much messing around as you want swapping them over for every time you do a track day, or just leave the race seat in until the day you advertise the car for sale.
Edited by will_968 on Friday 28th February 16:50
Captain Muppet said:
On one of my secondhand and battered Exige seats the pad directly behind your head had fallen off.
It was only fixed in place with thick double-sided tape, I've no idea if this is the OEM method usd, but it may be possible to pull yours off for more room (and re-attach with velco if you ever use it without a helmet).
The padding is about 20mm thick, so I think it'd make a noticable difference.
Nice 2-Eleven BTW. My Elise is green and Mrs Muppet vetoed red seats.
Thanks.It was only fixed in place with thick double-sided tape, I've no idea if this is the OEM method usd, but it may be possible to pull yours off for more room (and re-attach with velco if you ever use it without a helmet).
The padding is about 20mm thick, so I think it'd make a noticable difference.
Nice 2-Eleven BTW. My Elise is green and Mrs Muppet vetoed red seats.
I've just been looking at this and yes, mine appear to be removeable. I just need to summon up the courage to pull one off! (the headrest that is).
I've always had the same feeling of slight discomfort on track in the Exige Motorsport seats as my head is pushed maybe an inch further forward than is comfortable... although its less of an issue for me, as its just a minor pain for 20-30 minute stints on track... and I don't have to drive to Spa with a lid on for example.
Removeable pad was always my preferred solution.... but I'd say its worth checking out whether having a "removable part of the seat back" could cause you problems come MOT time, if you found the wrong tester who wanted to look at the car with a fine toothed comb.
As I is... sometimes I run with a thin cushion behind my back and shoulders... however I suspect that this could compromise me in the event I had a shunt on track.
Removeable pad was always my preferred solution.... but I'd say its worth checking out whether having a "removable part of the seat back" could cause you problems come MOT time, if you found the wrong tester who wanted to look at the car with a fine toothed comb.
As I is... sometimes I run with a thin cushion behind my back and shoulders... however I suspect that this could compromise me in the event I had a shunt on track.
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