Anyone have Corbeau FX1 Pro seats?

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Seriously considering one, but want to sit in it first.

Thanks!

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:59 am

Here are some NC dealers. You might be able to try one out there. I been meaning to contact Carolina Mustang in Cary to see what he might have in his showroom.

Thank you for your interest in CORBEAU.
Below are the dealers in your area.

Mann Motorsports
204 South Regional Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
(336) 662-9070
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Carolina Mustang
302 W. Chatham St.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 467-2900
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3SX Performance
4494 Raceway Dr.
Concord, NC 28027
(704) 786-6400
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Tarheel 4WD
5745 N Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28213
(704) 598-1000
Fax: (704) 598-1811
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Carr Industries
301 Orville Wright Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27409
(336) 931-0007
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Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:01 am

Nope, but I have 2 Corbeau Forza's that I have meant to put up for sale in the Swap and Sell section.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Can HPDE instructors chime in if they'd be comfortable with this setup:

-Race driver seat w/Schroth 4-point harness
-Stock passenger seat w/ CG-Lock

Would adding a 4-point harness for the passenger be enough that most instructors would be OK?

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:23 am

KendtEklund wrote:

Can HPDE instructors chime in if they'd be comfortable with this setup:

-Race driver seat w/Schroth 4-point harness
-Stock passenger seat w/ CG-Lock

Would adding a 4-point harness for the passenger be enough that most instructors would be OK?

The 4-point in a race seat wouldn't be good. The 5 or 6 point would be better.

Technically the driver and passenger should have the same protection. For me in a car w/o a roll bar I'm OK with the driver having a race seat and the instructor having a regular one. With a roll bar two seats with harnesses would be required for me to ride.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

KendtEklund wrote:

Can HPDE instructors chime in if they'd be comfortable with this setup:

-Race driver seat w/Schroth 4-point harness
-Stock passenger seat w/ CG-Lock

Would adding a 4-point harness for the passenger be enough that most instructors would be OK?

The rule is that the instructor must have equal safety equipment as the driver. You could save money and force the guy to put on a latch and link vs your camlock, but other than that, you can't do it.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Wes Eargle wrote:

The rule is that the instructor must have equal safety equipment as the driver. You could save money and force the guy to put on a latch and link vs your camlock, but other than that, you can't do it.

Latch and link? What is that? A device that locks the lap *and* shoulder belts?

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

KendtEklund wrote:

Wes Eargle wrote:

The rule is that the instructor must have equal safety equipment as the driver. You could save money and force the guy to put on a latch and link vs your camlock, but other than that, you can't do it.

Latch and link? What is that? A device that locks the lap *and* shoulder belts?

Latch and link

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:41 am

KendtEklund wrote:

Wes Eargle wrote:

The rule is that the instructor must have equal safety equipment as the driver. You could save money and force the guy to put on a latch and link vs your camlock, but other than that, you can't do it.

Latch and link? What is that?

It's the old style belt latching system. Spend the extra $25 and get the camlock. You'll be glad you did. Also get the pull UP belts, not the pull DOWN ones.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:45 am

Crap! I have an extra set of harnesses too.

Just bring a checkbook Saturday night!

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Vincent Keene wrote:

Also get the pull UP belts, not the pull DOWN ones.

Agreed that the pull-up is more convenient -- but FYI they don't work well in installatons where the belt attachment point is close to the seat -- ie if you mount the belts on the original seatbelt hole (like in a BMW). The pull-ups have an extra piece of hardware and strap which needs a little more room. On my old car I had to send back the pullups to get pulldown just to make the lap belt work -- pull-up wouldn't pull to short enough.

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

I have the FX1 Pro. It's fiberglass instead of a steel frame like the Forza. Has more padding with built-in kidney pads. It's comfortable for 30 minute track sessions. Having to travel 4-6 hours in it pretty much sucks. But that is all so subjective.

The FX1 is the same as the Forza for dimensions and what size person fits in it. The FX1 Pro is the smaller one for us boney a** little guys. Fits me fine. Rob says it fits him ok and he has one in his Miata.

I'd let you try it but it's put away and won't be going back in the car for another month or so. I don't think you can get the right feel sitting in it in a store. You really need to sit in some peoples cars at the track and strap in. Or better yet, get them to take you out for a session so you can see how they feel when you are getting tossed around. Much different feeling that sitting in one motionless.

With my back issues I need better support in the lumbar which this one doesn't have. So I'm going to try a Kirkey Deluxe or Intermediate road race seat.

Like I said though, this is all really subjective.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:07 pm

It is a really tight fit in the Miata and I have some clearance issues where i have to take the pad out to stay below the rollbar. I am not tall either, but what little height I have is between my waist and my head. Graham actually as more clearance than I do and he is taller.

I don't find them to be uncomfortable to sit in for distances, but I don't have back issues. They will also keep me from gaining too much weight hopefully as I would not want to be any fatter in this seat.

I have mine on a slider too, and like Graham mine is out of my car and won't go back in until probably end of October.

Rob

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

I have both an FX1 Pro and an FX1 mounted in the E30. The FX1 is pretty big imo. Even the FX1 Pro could be a notch more snug, and i'm 6'3-4 215# and a 34-36" waist. so i'm not "boney" fo sho.

The FX1 makes a nice universally sized instructor seat and the FX1 Pro is my seat.

Whatever you do, get side mounts, not bottom mounts. My damn bottom mounts are the bane of my existence. I've tried single locking sliders, double locking slider, steel plate instead of sliders, they all suck. Its just not enough to keep the seat secure. My double locking sliders finally fell apart and shot ball bearing everywhere.

Finally this winter i'm going to side mounts and a back brace. Note that the FX1s arent FIA approved and so need a back brace for TTs, racing, etc. So its probably smart to run the back brace even if not required.

Brad Mackey · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:21 pm

KendtEklund wrote:

Can HPDE instructors chime in if they'd be comfortable with this setup:

-Race driver seat w/Schroth 4-point harness
-Stock passenger seat w/ CG-Lock

Would adding a 4-point harness for the passenger be enough that most instructors would be OK?

Here's what the THSCC Tech Guide for HPDE (not Time Trial) says about restraint upgrades:
"The recommended solution for dual-purpose vehicles is to use 3 or 4 point harnesses that are designed as OEM replacement and have US-DOT designations that meet FMVSS209 specifications. If a driver so chooses, competition harnesses can be used for the HPDE but they must, without exception, be installed in compliance to the current SCCA GCR (Section 20)... OEM replacement harnesses having the DOT label will have been tested to FMVSS209 Federal Certification. They will be specific to a make and model or be included on the list of make, models, and possibly seat type for which they are certified. It is mandatory for the driver/owner to produce this documentation to allow inspection of the vehicle. These documents can be obtained from the manufacturer and should be included with the harnesses. If this documentation is not present, it must be assumed the harnesses do not meet FMVSS 209 and will not be acceptable."

In other words, a Schroth 4-point set-up must be certified to the vehicle make/model AND the non-OEM seat combination. This "reference list", as Schroth calls it, is fairly lengthy for use with OEM seats, but is very sparse on after-market seats supported by their restraint systems.

For our HPDE program, our "Equal Protection" clause means that if you install a race seat for the driver, then you will need one for the Instructor. The driver race seat / OEM Instructor seat won't pass tech inspection. Then you will need to install 5 or 6-point harnesses for both driver and Instructor, or re-route the OEM 3-point system through the seat openings.

As an Instructor, I would much prefer the OEM 3-point system over the 4-point harness, even with a race seat, because it offers anti-submarine protection in a frontal impact. Besides, why fudge with a 4-point, when a very acceptable 5 or 6-point system is available for about the same price, and offers a much higher degree of protection. Race seats will come with the requisite openings to accommodate all the straps, so why not use 'em all?

Of course the other argument is: Shoulder restraint systems INCREASE the possiblity of injury in the event of a roll-over in a car that is not equipped with roll-over protection. But that's a whole 'nuther issue...

Just some food for thought...

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