Best car seats for a sim rig

I've finally decided to build myself a sim rig. I've been accumulating the necessary PC parts via Black Friday sales, and I'm planning on a from-scratch wood build based pretty loosely on a plan I bought from Open Sim Rigs. That plan is set up for either a "real" sim seat or an Ikea Poang chair, but I think I want to use an actual car seat, for several reasons. First is adjustability, even if it's just fore and aft. I'd like the rig to be useable for more than just one person. Second is comfort, I can't stand racing seats and have no need for a bunch of side bolstering in something that doesn't actually move. And third is quality, a car seat that's designed to be used in an actual vehicle and pass crash tests is bound to be sturdier than the other options. Finally, cost. I'm pretty sure I can get something out of a junkyard pretty cheap.

So, what do I want to look for? Basically, I want something that mounts to a flat floor, though that's not a dealbreaker since this will be a from-scratch build. I'd like manual adjustability. I could probably figure out how to wire a power seat, but I'd honestly rather not be arsed. And I want something out of a car, not an SUV or truck, something lower to the ground. And something that doesn't look too hideous. I'll give it a really good cleaning before I use it, of course.

So, if I'm heading to the junkyard on Saturday with some tools, what kind of cars should I look for? 

I built one about 20 years ago using a Miata seat and rails.

Oh, like you didn't see that coming :)

Keith Tanner said:

I built one about 20 years ago using a Miata seat and rails.

Oh, like you didn't see that coming :)

If I can find a decent Miata in a yard around here, I'll certainly take a look. But I think I'd prefer something with a roof that's been sitting outside in a junkyard for Lord knows how long. 

Ours also has a Miata seat in it.  Is the guy in Grosse Pointe still parting out NBs?  That's where we got the seats that free up the one on the sim rig.

In reply to Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) :

If I were to do this with an actual car seat, I would look at a fully adjustable electric seat with all the controls in the seat. That way, you could theoretically apply 12-volt power and have a fully adjustable seat.  

The seats in my BMW, which is from the 2000s, have adjustment switches on the side of the seat base. I would look to get the entire seat with its mounting base. I think you could relatively easily make it so you have all the adjustments (and comfort) of a seat like it is in a real car.  I am sure there are other seats with the adjustment switches built into the seat.  Now that I think about it the seats in my 03 GMC Denali would also work.   

Actually we still have the other one we replaced.  I remember the bottom being split, but maybe with a cheap cover?  It's yours if you want it.  We're in Dexter.  I can take a pic if you are interested.

pkingham (Forum Supporter) said:

Actually we still have the other one we replaced.  I remember the bottom being split, but maybe with a cheap cover?  It's yours if you want it.  We're in Dexter.  I can take a pic if you are interested.

Sure, send me a pic. Thanks!

PM sent.

Just about anything will work.  Small car seats are usually going to be lighter and easier to work with.  Grab the adjuster rails if possible if you want adjustability (you do).  Finally, I'd recommend cloth over leather...  computers and monitors put out a fair bit of heat, and you will be working a bit on longer races.  Leather/pleather/vinyl can get a bit sweaty...

Oh... be sure to join us for the GRM-GP Simsports races when you've got it together!  

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/simulation-central/grm-assetto-corsa-racing-league-s17-corolla-wagons/274983/page1/

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) said:

 

So, if I'm heading to the junkyard on Saturday with some tools, what kind of cars should I look for? 

My recommendation is:

Any smaller car seat.  Fiesta, old Civic, Golf, etc.  The older the better.  Older = thinner, no airbags, or complex electronics.  Also lighter.  It was common for ST* cars in the 90s/early 2000s to have seats that didn't weigh any more than the class min weight limit (25lb).  The majority of modern car seats weigh significantly more than that.  

Bonus points for Golf recaros or similar that have the wheel adjuster for recline because you can dial in precision angles.
 

dean1484 said:

In reply to Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) :

If I were to do this with an actual car seat, I would look at a fully adjustable electric seat with all the controls in the seat. That way, you could theoretically apply 12-volt power and have a fully adjustable seat.  

The seats in my BMW, which is from the 2000s, have adjustment switches on the side of the seat base. I would look to get the entire seat with its mounting base. I think you could relatively easily make it so you have all the adjustments (and comfort) of a seat like it is in a real car.  I am sure there are other seats with the adjustment switches built into the seat.  Now that I think about it the seats in my 03 GMC Denali would also work.   

Nope.  I've done this before at work with one from a Lexus RX300 and one from a Mercedes.  These are way bigger, bulkier, and more difficult to control than its worth for a sim rig.  A simple mechanical slider and recline is absolutely the way to go here.  Spend your time racing, not tinkering with a seat :)

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) said:

or an Ikea Poang chair,

Nope nope nope nope nope. (I did this in an "emergency".  No bueno)

The recline angle of the poang chair is nuts, but the headpan doesn't kick up.  It ends up with a really awkward seating position unless you are redesigning the whole sim rig around that chair (possible, but I'm guessing no based on your plans).