How to get more clearance for my helmet???

[Jstyle]

So I finally got my helmet (Simpson Diamondback because I’m trying to channel my inner Stig) and I sat in the FRS yesterday. The problem is my helmet is rubbing the headliner pretty solid.

I can lean my seat back a bit and get a solid inch of clearance but I’m sitting back farther than I wanna be. I reach for the steering wheel and my wrists still hit the top so it’s not a HUGE deal, I just want to be up closer.

So my question for the audience, how do I get my seating position any lower? I just need an inch (which is not what she said) and I have it lowered all the way down using the handle the adjustment lever on the left hand side of the seat. Is there any way to go lower other then cutting out the foam or buying a racing seat?

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Did you flip the headrest front-to-back? From what I heard, it's designed that way to give you better helmet clearance.

[JD001]

I was going to say 'buy a larger fitting racing suit' or whatever you wear when racing.. But I won't as everyone will say that I need to see a therapist!!

[Sapphireho]

Install Gurney bump.

[ka-t_240]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Did you flip the headrest front-to-back? From what I heard, it's designed that way to give you better helmet clearance.

flipping the head rest won't impact the helmet rubbing the headliner.

[ls1ac]

It will move the helmet back a little like moving the seat without moving the shoulders.

[RT-BRZ]

How tall are you? I'm 6'4" and I ended up buying seats. I went with Braum seats and Planted brackets and I gained a good 2 inches. The downside is that this setup doesn't sit as far back as the stock seats so I am definitely closer. That's no big deal for running the car on the track but it's not going to make the car fun on longer trips.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by ls1ac

It will move the helmet back a little like moving the seat without moving the shoulders.

Exactly. Especially since you said leaning your seat back a little gives you enough headroom. With the headrest in the regular position it will push your head and shoulders forward, similarly to having your seat more upright, taking away head room.
See how much headroom you have without the helmet - if you have more than the shell thickness you should be fine with the headrest flipped. If not that you'd have to either lean the seat back some more or get lower seats (a pain, I know).

[Purist]

I'm 6'3". I have my seat right back and reclined so my legs are stretched out so I can heal toe without banging my knees, and my arms fairly straight (I cross my arms on hairpins).

In this position my helmet only just rubs but not enough to notice.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[Jstyle]

So I tried to flip the head rest around and it didn’t help at all.

With the seats and brackets does anyone have a measurable amount it saved you headroom wise? My biggest fear is throwing 1500-2000 and it saving me half an inch.

[RT-BRZ]

Originally Posted by Jstyle

So I tried to flip the head rest around and it didn’t help at all.

With the seats and brackets does anyone have a measurable amount it saved you headroom wise? My biggest fear is throwing 1500-2000 and it saving me half an inch.

Like I said, I used Planted brackets which get you about as low as you can get.

For seats I got the Braum Elite-X seats. They were only $849 from Evasive Motorsports and the brackets were about $280. The nice thing is that the Braum seats come with sliders so that cost isn't extra. Braum has some very nice reclining seats that weigh close the stock seats or less.

That configuration got me almost 2" lower which allows me raise my seat back more and put me closer to the steering wheel which works better for my track use.

I wouldn't recommend a fixed back seat unless you have a roll bar/cage in the car. That configuration is not safe since they can't collapse properly in case of a rollover.

[Jstyle]

I'm going to take out the headliner this weekend and see where I'm at. I'm hoping to not have to buy 2k in seats but if I do then it is what it is.

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by Jstyle

With the seats and brackets does anyone have a measurable amount it saved you headroom wise? My biggest fear is throwing 1500-2000 and it saving me half an inch.

One more thing to consider is that if you get an aftermarket seat, it will not have side airbags.

Originally Posted by RT-BRZ

I wouldn't recommend a fixed back seat unless you have a roll bar/cage in the car. That configuration is not safe since they can't collapse properly in case of a rollover.

The lack of airbags, combined with this, is what makes me keep the stock seat, at least for now.
A proper roll bar sacrifices the daily'ability of the car, while also adding $$$$ on top of the price of the seat.
I have some ideas on how to make lowering frame for the stock seat,
but my lack of time and mechanical experience are holding me back

[RT-BRZ]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

One more thing to consider is that if you get an aftermarket seat, it will not have side airbags.



The lack of airbags, combined with this, is what makes me keep the stock seat, at least for now.
A proper roll bar sacrifices the daily'ability of the car, while also adding $$$$ on top of the price of the seat.
I have some ideas on how to make lowering frame for the stock seat,
but my lack of time and mechanical experience are holding me back

Understood on the note of the loss of the seat airbags. The remainder work OK but swapping seats means you lose the seat bags.

You could possibly lower the seat itself by removing some padding out of it. The seat frame/rails don't leave much to do however.