Region: Northeast
Year : 1996 Posts: 42
Status: Offline
posted
I know a lot of guys use the Kirkey Intermediate seat. I see that it's available in Oval Track, which looks a lot like the Ultrashield Spec Miata seat, and Road Race.
Which is recommended? Does the Road Race version fit in a a Miata?
Region: NYR
Car #: 12
Year : 1991 Posts: 620
Status: Offline
posted
I had the Kirkey Oval track......there are side supports along your ribs. Really holds you in place, but the safety provided by those "rib protectors" has been debated a few times. I liked how secure I was in the seat (didn't need any strength to brace myself) but after a friend had an accident I was a little leary of them.
The roadrace has shoulder style supports, rather than the ribs. I've never sat in one in a car, but I've seen plenty of them out there installed in Miatas. It has shallower rib supports than the circle track.
I believe most people use a 20 degree layback. That is what I used.
If you're looking for sizing help, I'm 6'2", 165ish and used a 15". Heck, if you're near LI you can sit in my spare oval seat. Also, Stable Energies in North Jersey (just over the GW bridge) stocks the road race in different sizes.
Region: NYR
Car #: 12
Year : 1991 Posts: 620
Status: Offline
posted
I forgot to mention this, but Stable will have everything from the aluminum Kirkeys, to head restraint seats, to leather two piece seats for your GT3. Worth a trip to play the princess and the pea. That's what I did when I decided it was time to upgrade the seat.
Region: NWR / Oregon
Car #: 88
Year : 95 Posts: 2000
Status: Offline
posted
Vick, Did you have to pound out the trans tunnel with the 15" for clearance? I use a 16" Ultrashield that only required a bit of
I'm thinking about replacing the seat I bolt in the other side for ride-alongs and would prefer not to beat out the other side of my tunnel. The seat I've been using makes it a pretty tight squeeze for passengers.
-------------------- Keith Novak (Will work for tires)
Region: NYR
Car #: 12
Year : 1991 Posts: 620
Status: Offline
posted
I did not have to beat the tunnel for the 15" oval on either side of my car, driver or passenger.
Now when I put in the Recaro Profi on the driver's side, well we had a customization party. Full size sledge hammer, small sledge hammer, then finished with an air hammer and a compressor on a low setting, and some JB weld to fix the tear I made with the air hammer on a high setting.
My Kirkey Oval is a bit tricky to get in from the passenger side.....reason being I *think* the left side wing is a bit shorter than the right side wing....designed to make it a bit easier to get into and out of from the driver's side, and to put a little more support on the right side of the body for those guys who spend all day turning left.
That being said it's not impossible to get into, and no one has complained about it.
Region: NNJR
Car #: 48
Year : 1996 Posts: 191
Status: Offline
posted
Vick's lucky - he's a skinny d00d.
My, I'm a BFB - "big fat bastard" (6'3", 235#) and the circle track seat in mine when I bought it was a pain in the a$$ to get in/out of. Those rib protectors were more like 'butt crack jabbers'!
One thing you don't mention WRX.357 is whether the seat is going into an existing car or one you're building. If it's going into an existing one then you'll probably be better off with one of the Kirkey models. I ended up having to do that (17" width) since my nice, FIA-certified Sparco wouldn't fit w/o some serious "persuasion" and cage bar relocations.
If I were building a new car I'd definitely follow Teamfour's advice about a halo seat - which implies you're working with a custom cage builder to make everything 'fit' & mount properly.
You're in the northeast so that's a "big area" but Vick notes correctly that Stable Energies would be a good source for seats. They have a number on their showroom floor you can sit in.
Who knows - with all the business Vick & I seem to send their way (not to mention our own purchases) we just may turn them into a Miata shop from their e-vile "P-car" ways!
Region: Northeast
Year : 1996 Posts: 42
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by Brandon F.:
Who knows - with all the business Vick & I seem to send their way (not to mention our own purchases) we just may turn them into a Miata shop from their e-vile "P-car" ways!
Region: Blue Ridge Region
Car #: #91
Year : 1992 Posts: 111
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by Teamfour: Although I used the Kirkey seats in my dirt car a few years ago, I would not buy a seat without a halo in today's day and age.
FWIW, I use a Sparco ProADV in my SM and find it very comfortable and supporting, although pricey.
Seriously, you need to visit. Kid, meet candy store.
The wife planned her first visit there with me to happen only 30 minutes before closing to keep me from hanging around too long and spending too much money.
Region: DC
Car #: 45
Year : 1993 Posts: 35
Status: Offline
posted
You can add Kirkey Add On HeadRests. They bolt on and work very well. I have tested them on 2 different seats on 2 different cars. A pair of headrests and covers sell for less than $100. I cannot find them on the Kirkey web site. 00100 and 00200 for the rests and 00111 and 002100 for the covers in black.