Halp plz with Sparco seat reinstallation

Bimmerman325i · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 07:10:36 AM

The bottom of my seat contacts the fasteners in the middle slots of the side mounts. I can't use the lowest slots, so making new ones would be pointless. I may have to find/borrow some Sparco mounts to see if that would solve my problem if I can't get the VAC ones to work.

As promised, images! Don't pay attention to how far forward the mounts are. That was from a trial that didn't pan out. The sharpie line is where they were first mounted, which gave me much more headroom.

Detail view of the side mount. The fastener in the back is a low profile six point head instead of the original sockethead, and it still interferes with the seat. I cannot move it over towards the vertical side of the side mount, even though it would give me more room, because then there is far too much space between mount and seat. Same problem for the other side....one or the other fastener will be in the way.

Detail of front fastener. No clearance issues with these guys.

Detail of rear fastener. Lots of clearance issues with these guys.

ozzM3 · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:09:30 PM

Don't waste any effort on Sparco side mounts, they are not working with VAC plates - bolt holes are not matching at all.
I ended up selling my VACs because of that and went another route.

Bimmerman325i · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:16:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzM3

Don't waste any effort on Sparco side mounts, they are not working with VAC plates - bolt holes are not matching at all.
I ended up selling my VACs because of that and went another route.

Thanks! Do you mean the slots/holes in the bottom of the sparco side mounts will not line up with the tapped holes in the VAC floor mounts?

///sleeper · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:16:52 PM

hmmm...I wonder if your seats just have a deeper bucket or something...really not sure how you could solve this with those side mounts.

My Recaro mounts kindof flare out at the bottom, putting the fasteners almost right under the spacers between the seat and the side-mounts (kindof hard to explain, let me know if you want me to try and dig up a picture). Essentially, my seats can go as low as the mounts will let me because the side-mounts are able to be mounted a touch further apart than yours b/c of the angled design? Really not sure, I'll have to look closer at how much room I've actually got under there...

Bimmerman325i · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:21:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///sleeper

hmmm...I wonder if your seats just have a deeper bucket or something...really not sure how you could solve this with those side mounts.

My Recaro mounts kindof flare out at the bottom, putting the fasteners almost right under the spacers between the seat and the side-mounts (kindof hard to explain, let me know if you want me to try and dig up a picture). Essentially, my seats can go as low as the mounts will let me because the side-mounts are able to be mounted a touch further apart than yours b/c of the angled design? Really not sure, I'll have to look closer at how much room I've actually got under there...

Wait wait wait....there are spacers? Like a washer between the side mount and seat or something more substantial?

Essentially yea, the seat bucket is pretty deep. No clue why.

LightWerkz · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:32:58 PM

Can you show us how the seat sits on the side mounts?

Bimmerman325i · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:34:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightWerkz

Can you show us how the seat sits on the side mounts?

I should have thought of that last night. Will get a picture up tonight showing that.

///sleeper · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 04:10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerman325i

Wait wait wait....there are spacers? Like a washer between the side mount and seat or something more substantial?

Essentially yea, the seat bucket is pretty deep. No clue why.

you don't have spacers huh? Yeah, essentially there is a 1/4 or 1/3 inch thick steel "washer" that goes between my seat and the side mount at the four mounting points.

I can't remember if the spacers came in the boxes with my seats or with all the mounting hardware, ie I can't remember if they were from VAC or Recaro.

I'll see if I can't get a picture up so you know what I'm talking about.

ozzM3 · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 05:24:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerman325i

Thanks! Do you mean the slots/holes in the bottom of the sparco side mounts will not line up with the tapped holes in the VAC floor mounts?

Exactly! From what I heard - Recaro side mounts should match VAC mounts.

ozzM3 · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 05:31:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightWerkz

Can you show us how the seat sits on the side mounts?

Caesar has a good point.

Wed, Sep-15-2010, 07:10:36 AM	#11
Bimmerman325i Beardface McMountainMan Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 797 Reputation: 0 Location: Boulder	The bottom of my seat contacts the fasteners in the middle slots of the side mounts. I can't use the lowest slots, so making new ones would be pointless. I may have to find/borrow some Sparco mounts to see if that would solve my problem if I can't get the VAC ones to work. As promised, images! Don't pay attention to how far forward the mounts are. That was from a trial that didn't pan out. The sharpie line is where they were first mounted, which gave me much more headroom. Detail view of the side mount. The fastener in the back is a low profile six point head instead of the original sockethead, and it still interferes with the seat. I cannot move it over towards the vertical side of the side mount, even though it would give me more room, because then there is far too much space between mount and seat. Same problem for the other side....one or the other fastener will be in the way. Detail of front fastener. No clearance issues with these guys. Detail of rear fastener. Lots of clearance issues with these guys. __________________ 1995 BMW M3 -- DD/Track 1995 Subaru Legacy -- DD/future projects

Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:09:30 PM	#12
ozzM3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 298 Reputation: 0	Don't waste any effort on Sparco side mounts, they are not working with VAC plates - bolt holes are not matching at all. I ended up selling my VACs because of that and went another route. __________________ 03.5 M3 SilverGray - Sold 00 M5 Anthracite 98 M3 Dakar Yellow - Sold

Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:16:52 PM	#14
///sleeper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,570 Reputation: 0 Location: Denver	hmmm...I wonder if your seats just have a deeper bucket or something...really not sure how you could solve this with those side mounts. My Recaro mounts kindof flare out at the bottom, putting the fasteners almost right under the spacers between the seat and the side-mounts (kindof hard to explain, let me know if you want me to try and dig up a picture). Essentially, my seats can go as low as the mounts will let me because the side-mounts are able to be mounted a touch further apart than yours b/c of the angled design? Really not sure, I'll have to look closer at how much room I've actually got under there... __________________ Mike

Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:32:58 PM	#16
LightWerkz Automotive Lighting Innovations Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,842 Reputation: 0 Location: Oakland NJ	Can you show us how the seat sits on the side mounts? __________________ Caesar Rowinski - LIGHTWERKZ 2009 BMW M3 Sedan - Space Gray FS: PFC Pads

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