355 - Aftermarket Seats & Belts Options for a Spider | FerrariChat
Buy

355 Aftermarket Seats & Belts Options for a Spider

Discussion in '348/355' started by C-speed, Aug 10, 2022.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. C-speed

    C-speed Karting

    Jul 13, 2022
    171
    Full Name:
    Crescent Kao
    #1 C-speed, Aug 10, 2022
    Hello,

    I'm 6ft and the OEM seats just aren't very comfortable for me and the seating position is pretty high. I'm considering swapping the OEM seats out for aftermarket reclinable or bucket seats, however, what do you do about the safety belts? The original belt is attached to the seat and the spider top blocks the mounting location for a harness.

    From my searches, it doesn't look like anyone has even done this on Spider as I couldn't find any posts on this.

    PS: I realize the automatic seat position will be an issue for operating the top but I'm sure I can figure out a way to trick the system.

    Thanks!
     
  2. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,846
    North Wiltshire, UK
    #2 A348W, Aug 10, 2022
    im 6’1” and have no issues. with the roof down obviously no issues anyway do guess nobody has had a need!

    roof is rarely up anyway!
     
  3. C-speed

    C-speed Karting

    Jul 13, 2022
    171
    Full Name:
    Crescent Kao
    #3 C-speed, Aug 10, 2022
    It's not so much an issue with space or room, I fit in the car just fine lol. The seat just isn't very comfortable and the stock seating position is a bit too high for my liking.
     
  4. fboutlaw

    fboutlaw Formula Junior

    Dec 3, 2014
    260
    Woodside, CA
    #4 fboutlaw, Aug 10, 2022
    Lotus seats fit, I'm 5'9 and these give me enough space to fit in comfortably and have room over my head for a helmet and space. I bet they'd work out for 6'1".

    Brackets are for a miata and I had to drill 1 extra hole to get them to line up with the F355 stock sliders.

    Seatbelt bolts right in to the side bracket.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  5. C-speed

    C-speed Karting

    Jul 13, 2022
    171
    Full Name:
    Crescent Kao
    #5 C-speed, Aug 10, 2022
    Thanks! For the belts, I meant the retractor part on the stock 3-point lap belt. On a spider it’s built into the OEM seat.
     
  6. fboutlaw

    fboutlaw Formula Junior

    Dec 3, 2014
    260
    Woodside, CA
    #6 fboutlaw, Aug 10, 2022
    Ah, I see. It does look like Ferrari bolted it to rear seat bracket, then has the guide on the top. If you were ok with custom fabrication, the bracket at the bottom doesn't seem to be too bad. You need a singular bolt hole for the bracket to mount. The belt guide would need to be attached to your aftermarket seat to prevent belt chafing on the seat back belt holes.

    More complicated that I thought... however I still recommend the lotus seats. They've been a huge improvement for driver position, comfort, and ability to keep me put.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. C-speed

    C-speed Karting

    Jul 13, 2022
    171
    Full Name:
    Crescent Kao
    #7 C-speed, Aug 10, 2022
    Sweet! Thanks for the exploded diagram! That helps a lot! I can definitely fab something up for the belt retractor now that I see how it works.

    Do you happen to have pics of the modified Miata seat bracket? Where did you have to drill the hole? I assume Miata driver and passenger side brackets will work?

    Thanks!
     
  8. Johnnieblack115

    Johnnieblack115 Karting

    Nov 18, 2022
    220
    Massachusetts
    Full Name:
    Jonathan Walker
    #8 Johnnieblack115, May 13, 2023
    Was a solution ever attempted for the seat belt? I’m looking into aftermarket seats to address seating position as well. Additionally, my seat back gives about an inch or two whenever I apply force to it. Is this a feature or a bug? I’d rather the seat back stay rigid


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     

Share This Page