Seat options for a big bloke

Dan-mx5 · Postby **Dan-mx5** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 8:27 pm

Have done foam removal procedure and have gotten some more comfort, I am wondering what other options there are?
Also tried fitting into a sparco sprint V this afternoon and my hips are the problem!

Would a nb8b seat with foam removed be any different?

Postby **Okibi** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 9:22 pm

NB8B seat backs are higher so may help if you're also tall.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 9:52 pm

Sparco Sprint plus a couple of wood blocks, some padding (to avoid damage to the seat fabric) and a bottle jack to spread the hip wings. Don't go too far as then the seat will foul too much on the transmission tunnel, especially if you add harness fittings as well as a standard seatbelt receiver on that side.

It's still only a seat for the track and/or for short road journeys though. Not designed for comfort. Need to see chiro after each hour of driving on the road.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 9:55 pm

Buy a bigger car.

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:31 pm

What exactly are the comfort issues you are having?

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:03 am

Lite n Easy

Dan-mx5 · Postby **Dan-mx5** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:13 am

Sitting too high. Plus sitting far away from the steering wheel, causing back issues
Taking the foam out sorted the height issue, now I'm reaching for the wheel.
Mainly wanted to know what other seats are available to increase driving comfort.
A nb8b seat might be worth a try.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:48 am

Dished wheel?

GTR4N · Postby **GTR4N** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:27 am

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:37 am

Side mount aftermarket rails to lower seat. Most bucket seats are tight, series 2 nb seat is probably the best option.

Steering wheel spacer to bring it closer to you.
Or dished steering wheel.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:43 am

Dan you might not fix it. NA and NB really have limited accommodation for bigger frames. A couple of my friends look totally uncomfortable in my NB. That's the way it was designed and Mazda knew that. It might be an idea to get a drive in an NC and see if you can get comfortable. Longer term you may be better of making a car change.

Dan-mx5 · Postby **Dan-mx5** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:06 am

Love the diet comments, should I put a photo up so you can see that I'm not overweight? haha
Dished wheel has crossed my mind but lateral support is where I'm headed. If the nb8b seat is taller I'm thinking that's the way for me to go.
Thanks for the good input guys.

marty085 · Postby **marty085** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:15 am

In my experience the NB8B seats have u sitting higher.. i tried them.

speed freak · Postby **speed freak** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 7:50 pm

Iv got an NB8B and Id agree that those seats make you sit higher, so even with the foamectomy probably no better off.

I had no other option but to fit a sparco sprint v to gain more headroom and legroom but still not quit comfortable enough. Im actually in the process of looking for a bigger car :cry:

which is very unfortunate but these cars werent really built for tall/big people.

Other options would be looking at other bucket seats. You can get other sparco's that are more comfortable and supportive and that do fit in the mx5 or even bride seats would be good to look at. Just depends on how much money your willing to part with to find a solution as some of those seats are pretty pricey compared to the sprint v.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:25 pm

Sorry to sound repetitive but the mx5 was designed with no excess - seats leg length head and eye height all limited and acknowledged by the designers and speed freak has found that out. Nobody has mentioned NCs but they feel roomier to me and seem to have more headroom. If you have a tight pair of shoes they will never be comfortable. I have a tall mate who can happily drive an MGB but no hope in an NB.