Carbon Fiber Seat Teaser - LotusTalk

Smitty · 08-15-2008, 06:39 AM

After trying all of the seats I could find that fit into Elise/Exige cars, I was left with nothing that fit the bill. I'm 6'2" and ~220 pounds and they were either too narrow, too short, too flexible, etc.

I finally found a company in the UK that makes a Lotus-specific seat as well as seats for other small cars.

<img src=http://smitty.corsalogistics.net/CF_Seat/Installed/8.jpg>

Check out the difference in side bolstering compared the stock seats:

<img src=http://smitty.corsalogistics.net/CF_Seat/Installed/7.jpg>

I've been working with Tillett seats in the UK to import their car seat lineup. It's been a difficult road because the brackets they offer are not for US-spec cars. I commissioned a local race shop to fabricate brackets and jigs to produce brackets that will mount to the driver's-side sliders as well as provide a secure fixture for an anti-submarine belt. The passenger side is a one-piece bracket for both left and right that incorporates the same cross-bar for a fifth harness point.

In addition to multi-point harnesses, the seats and brackets will work with the factory three-point system.

At this time, the seats and brackets are not available. It will take a bit of time to ramp up production for everything. During that time, I'll be building a commerce site as well as a physical, brick and mortar site here in Virginia in which to house inventory and ship from.

Pricing is not defined, though they will be much cheaper than similar units from other manufacturers.

PS: Randy, if you happen to read this thread, please reply to one of my queries about becoming a vendor and site supporter.

Amarao · 08-15-2008, 06:44 AM

No way! Seats for guys our size?

BUELL XB12R · 08-15-2008, 07:00 AM

That seat looks awesome, How much does it weigh?

AustinP · 08-15-2008, 07:18 AM

Looks like you could fit a pair, which would be a big advantage over the Lotus Sport Recaro (with the trade-off being less side bolstering). Is it, or will it be, FIA certified?

Smitty · 08-15-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amarao

No way! Seats for guys our size?

Yes, my big-boned brother! While in the factory seats, my hip bones dig into the sides of the seat, which can become painful after a few hours. These seats have that area relieved and I can sit comfortably for long periods of time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUELL XB12R

That seat looks awesome, How much does it weigh?

With padding, I believe they're right at 7.5kg. They're similar to stock seats, but the difference in rigidity is vast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinP

Looks like you could fit a pair, which would be a big advantage over the Lotus Sport Recaro (with the trade-off being less side bolstering). Is it, or will it be, FIA certified?

You can absolutely fit two, which is a nice for either aesthetics or ensuring a passenger has the same level of safety on the track.

All FIA seats are upright saloon seats for the reason that when you sit the driver at an inclined angle the body shoots up the back of the seat amplifying the stresses massively.

The Tillett B4 model is undergoing certification at the moment. I won't have a sample of one until I receive the first batch of seats in ~6 weeks. It's similar in style, but was not expressly designed for a Lotus like the seat above was.

This is the B4:

<img src=http://www.tillett.co.uk/html/images/B4CarbonFRP.jpg>

slaughtr · 08-15-2008, 08:01 AM

I used a Down-Low seat rail to lower the stock seat because of my height. What is the height of this seat compared to the stock seat? Can it be fitted to a lower profile rail?

The seat looks great and I'm looking for a seat to use with harnesses, but I won't buy a seat that puts my head above the roll bar.

skibum · 08-15-2008, 08:30 AM

I didn't know Tillett made car seats. They are THE name in kart seats.

Godzila · 08-17-2008, 06:02 PM

nice , a 3rd hold for a 5pt harness.

madden · 08-17-2008, 06:12 PM

are you going to be selling the stockers?
Those carbon seats are amazing though!!!

Craig! · 12-09-2008, 08:02 AM

Any more on these seats? I'd like to know if they sit any lower, and how bareable are they compared to the probax seats (which I find very comfy).

Harbir · 12-09-2008, 08:11 AM

I am interested if they can help with extra room compared to the stock seats.

I am using the downlow rails so as to get my helmet to clear the top at the track, but they have completely destroyed the legroom.

A seat that can accomodate a 230lb, 6'3" driver, that retains stock legroom while providing more clearance for a helmeted driver would be a sure sale for me.

jordantii · 12-09-2008, 09:35 AM

New Lotus-specific Carbon Fiber Seats

08-15-2008, 06:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Smitty Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leesburg, Virginia Posts: 305	Carbon Fiber Seat Teaser After trying all of the seats I could find that fit into Elise/Exige cars, I was left with nothing that fit the bill. I'm 6'2" and ~220 pounds and they were either too narrow, too short, too flexible, etc. I finally found a company in the UK that makes a Lotus-specific seat as well as seats for other small cars. <img src=http://smitty.corsalogistics.net/CF_Seat/Installed/8.jpg> Check out the difference in side bolstering compared the stock seats: <img src=http://smitty.corsalogistics.net/CF_Seat/Installed/7.jpg> I've been working with Tillett seats in the UK to import their car seat lineup. It's been a difficult road because the brackets they offer are not for US-spec cars. I commissioned a local race shop to fabricate brackets and jigs to produce brackets that will mount to the driver's-side sliders as well as provide a secure fixture for an anti-submarine belt. The passenger side is a one-piece bracket for both left and right that incorporates the same cross-bar for a fifth harness point. In addition to multi-point harnesses, the seats and brackets will work with the factory three-point system. At this time, the seats and brackets are not available. It will take a bit of time to ramp up production for everything. During that time, I'll be building a commerce site as well as a physical, brick and mortar site here in Virginia in which to house inventory and ship from. Pricing is not defined, though they will be much cheaper than similar units from other manufacturers. PS: Randy, if you happen to read this thread, please reply to one of my queries about becoming a vendor and site supporter.

08-15-2008, 07:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
BUELL XB12R No, it's not Italian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hobbs NM Posts: 494 Images: 1	That seat looks awesome, How much does it weigh? __________________ 2005 Elise Saffron yellow, Touring, LSS, SS, Hard Top 2004 Buell XB12R 2004 RX-8 2002 Z06 (Sold) 2002 Boxster S (Sold)

08-15-2008, 07:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
AustinP Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Duxbury, MA Posts: 122	Looks like you could fit a pair, which would be a big advantage over the Lotus Sport Recaro (with the trade-off being less side bolstering). Is it, or will it be, FIA certified? __________________ -Ed '08 Arctic Silver Exige S240

08-15-2008, 08:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
slaughtr Big head man Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 5,953 Images: 3	I used a Down-Low seat rail to lower the stock seat because of my height. What is the height of this seat compared to the stock seat? Can it be fitted to a lower profile rail? The seat looks great and I'm looking for a seat to use with harnesses, but I won't buy a seat that puts my head above the roll bar. __________________ My car both sucks and blows. Now with added all natural smoky goodness!

08-15-2008, 08:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
skibum I approve this message Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 261	I didn't know Tillett made car seats. They are THE name in kart seats. __________________ 2006 Exige - Solar Yellow BWR S/C - Tillet B5 CF seats - Arqray SS single - PPE Header & sport cat - TR Motorsports F1 w/R888's - 1934# 2004 s2000 - 378 whp 295 trq 2005 Mini Cooper S 2008 Honda Fit - 35mpg y0! 1965 Austin Mini w/ vtec

08-15-2008, 06:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Amarao Hoon Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,415	No way! Seats for guys our size?

08-17-2008, 06:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Godzila Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 28	nice , a 3rd hold for a 5pt harness.

08-17-2008, 06:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 612	are you going to be selling the stockers? Those carbon seats are amazing though!!!

12-09-2008, 08:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
Craig! Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 32	Any more on these seats? I'd like to know if they sit any lower, and how bareable are they compared to the probax seats (which I find very comfy).

12-09-2008, 08:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
Harbir Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 180	I am interested if they can help with extra room compared to the stock seats. I am using the downlow rails so as to get my helmet to clear the top at the track, but they have completely destroyed the legroom. A seat that can accomodate a 230lb, 6'3" driver, that retains stock legroom while providing more clearance for a helmeted driver would be a sure sale for me.

12-09-2008, 09:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
jordantii KMG365 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 737	New Lotus-specific Carbon Fiber Seats __________________ Never Lift....

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