Which FIA approved seats will fit in a mini?

[camelotr]

Anybody using FIA approved seats? Which types will fit? What is the maximum width /waist, hip/ that will fit?

[Cooperman]

Take a look at the Cobra or Corbeau range.

[DanGT]

There are a lot (Is not a small as you think) But cobra are based in the uk and last time I talked to them were happy to give me free advice. The othere thing is dont go for the mini direct fit subframe that alows the seat to move back and forward, they will not pass FIA test.

[Cooperman]

I made up special seat frames for my rally cars as the seats must be boltd in position and not be capable of adjustment.

[camelotr]

Yes they only accept the seats if they are fixed firmly.

I am only affraid of the limited space. I have seen some Cobra Monaco Proswhich fit nicely, but theese seats are very narrow ot the waist, only being 530mms. Most of the seats are nearly 600mms or even more.

I would like to know which seats acctualy fit there by experience, if possible.

Our driver is 90kgs and 185cms tall, soo would need a seat as wide as possible to fit in.

[camelotr]

I took some measurements on an empty chassis.
The distance at waist-height is aprox 1150mm from window-to-window. I assume the 550mm can be considered as the widest seat to fit.

Edited by camelotr on Monday 31st October 11:40

[rww]

camelotr said:

I took some measurements on an empty chassis.
The distance at wait-height is aprox 1150mm from window-to-window. I assume the 550mm can be considered as the widest seat to fit.

I will measure up our race Mini and Corbeau seat and let you know the dimensions this evening.

[camelotr]

Many thanks in advance.

[rww]

The seat in our Mini is a Corbeau Pro- series, nearly 5 years old now as it expires(UK MSA licensing requirement) at the end of 2011. The current Pro-series looks to have the same dimensions and can be seen here:

http://www.corbeau-seats.co.uk/motorsports-seats/p...

This kind of seat is an extremely tight fit in a Mini as the o/s shoulder 'wing' on the seat comes very close to the drivers door opening.I am a similar size to your driver. The limit for seat fitting is down to the width of the drivers backside and the width at the very back corner of the seat is around 330mm.The thigh width measurement is approx. 360mm. Corbeau make the seats in a wider fitting although I am pretty sure ours was the std. fit as my son, same height but much slimmer, also drives the car and finds the seat ok.
A steel square section subframe has been welded into the car so that the seat side mount adaptors can be bolted in.Two longitudinal rails(30x25) run back from the existing cross member. A 50x50 section cross members is welded across these two as well as to the Mini's centre 'hump' and the o/s rear interior sill.

I live very near the Corbeau factory so if you require any measurements not shown on their website I can easily get them especially as I shall be purchasing a replacement from them very shortly.Do not hesitate to email me if I can help.

[Pooky67]

I had a pair of Corbeau Forzas in my road going Mini. These were FIA I believe.

[DanGT]

The cobra seats I had in my mini (sorry dont know model) Fitted (in old money) my father at 6,4" and 14-15 stone (no names to protect the inocent). He would sprint the car and drive it to and from with no problems.