I was looking for a comfortable seat to replace the little torture chambers that FFR supplies with the kit. I looked at the Sube clubman seat but didn't find it to be very comfortable. Beside that seat and some plastic racing buckets, there aren't many options that fit in the vehicle properly. So I decided to take matters into my own hands, and design and build my own seat that is designed specifically for the FFR roadster. (It only makes sense, since I do this for a living)
I started by measuring out the complete interior, and transferring the dimensions to a full-scale drawing. I then used the "centerline of occupant" contours from a project that I was working on at work. The project was to create a seat that incorporated contours that were designed using the latest technology and info from research on the contours of the body. The contours were designed to evenly distribute the weight of the body over a larger area of the seat, eliminating any pressure points. The lumbar area was designed to lock the pelvis in place, and take pressure off of the spine. The end result of the project was a very comfortable seat that was not only comfortable for me, but for our computerized pressure mapping system as well.
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I positioned the centerline contours in the package drawing as far rearward as possible to gain as much legroom as possible. I then designed the rest of the seat to fit inside of the interior package. IT was important to have seat that fit in the car straight. After I completed the rest of the design, I modeled foam pads of the back and cushion from the drawings. I then placed them in the car to see how they fit, and get a feel for how high or low I sat in the seat, and how I was positioned front to rear. After evaluating the first design, I made some changes. I moved the CL of the back rearward about an inch, and I dropped the cushion insert about an inch to drop me lower in the seat. When I lowered the seat cushion insert, I left the height in the front of the cushion to give some thigh support.
First design
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revised design
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I modeled another set of foam pads to the revised design, and started the pattern development for the trim covers. I developed the preliminary covers, built up the seat, and brought it home to set in the vehicle, and see how it felt. I was very pleased with the comfort of the seat, and had some other people sit in it, and tell me what they thought. All feedback was positive. The seat fit in the car straight, and the seat clears the emergency brake mech. Both the cushion and back have ¼ inch rods that run through the cushion and back bolsters that really support the foam. The cushion incorporates a cloth suspension material designed to take the shock of bumps, and lets the occupant move up and down slightly in the seat. Most modern passenger cars utilize this type of seat suspension. It worked out really nice in my seat. Next will be seat heaters. Both of my seats will have adjustable seat heaters and leather.
Here is where I am today.
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I started by measuring out the complete interior, and transferring the dimensions to a full-scale drawing. I then used the "centerline of occupant" contours from a project that I was working on at work. The project was to create a seat that incorporated contours that were designed using the latest technology and info from research on the contours of the body. The contours were designed to evenly distribute the weight of the body over a larger area of the seat, eliminating any pressure points. The lumbar area was designed to lock the pelvis in place, and take pressure off of the spine. The end result of the project was a very comfortable seat that was not only comfortable for me, but for our computerized pressure mapping system as well.
I positioned the centerline contours in the package drawing as far rearward as possible to gain as much legroom as possible. I then designed the rest of the seat to fit inside of the interior package. IT was important to have seat that fit in the car straight. After I completed the rest of the design, I modeled foam pads of the back and cushion from the drawings. I then placed them in the car to see how they fit, and get a feel for how high or low I sat in the seat, and how I was positioned front to rear. After evaluating the first design, I made some changes. I moved the CL of the back rearward about an inch, and I dropped the cushion insert about an inch to drop me lower in the seat. When I lowered the seat cushion insert, I left the height in the front of the cushion to give some thigh support.
First design
revised design
I modeled another set of foam pads to the revised design, and started the pattern development for the trim covers. I developed the preliminary covers, built up the seat, and brought it home to set in the vehicle, and see how it felt. I was very pleased with the comfort of the seat, and had some other people sit in it, and tell me what they thought. All feedback was positive. The seat fit in the car straight, and the seat clears the emergency brake mech. Both the cushion and back have ¼ inch rods that run through the cushion and back bolsters that really support the foam. The cushion incorporates a cloth suspension material designed to take the shock of bumps, and lets the occupant move up and down slightly in the seat. Most modern passenger cars utilize this type of seat suspension. It worked out really nice in my seat. Next will be seat heaters. Both of my seats will have adjustable seat heaters and leather.
Here is where I am today.
) The cushion frame is designed to use the adjustable track that Summit racing sells for 27.00. Track on Drivers side only. The holes are pre drilled for this track. Next step will be to see if the track placement will interfere with something underneath the floor pan, but haven't got that far yet.
