Seat padding?

[mrmustang]

Has anyone successfully used either memory foam or gel cushioning in their roadster seats? I love the competition seats in my FIA, but can see where they will be uncomfortable for 150+ mile trips, trying to figure out a solution that can remain hidden within the seat padding (IE: under the seat covers)........ So, what have you tried that works?

Thanks in advance

Bill S.

[glenview289]

Bill,
Here is a link to the Unique site with quite a bit of discussion of padding the seats.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/forums/sh...t=seat+padding

Bill

[tcrist]

I use a memory foam pillow on my bed.
It only lasts about a year then I have to replace it. I guess it really depends on the brand and quality of the foam.


Mine is by Sleep Innovations in west long Beach NJ.

Hope this helps at least a little bit.

[1985 CCX]

Bill

Eat at McDonalds for breakfast and lunch and by Summer you will have no worries about padding.....

[LMH]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Bill

Eat at McDonalds for breakfast and lunch and by Summer you will have no worries about padding.....

Damn Jeff... you beat me to it!
Larry

[cobradvm]

Bill - I have the Kirkey race seats, which have essentially no padding. What I use is one of those memory foam pads that is used as a lumbar back support for a regular car seat, except I sit on it rather than use it as a back pad. It's thicker on one end, so you can try it in couple of different positions (thicker end at the front of the seat or at the back). Since the seats are black, and the pad is covered in black cloth, and fits the width of the seat perfectly, it's not really noticeable. I also use a small roll in the small of my back - overall makes it pretty comfortable for long cruises.

[Fullchat289]

I am using a Sparco Chrono sport seat in my car for auto-x and the seat cushion raises me up too high (or higher than I prefer). I had an old dense foam camping pad/mat for a sleeping bag that I have cut up used to make a thinner seating pad. I have yet to try it out on long trips, but I expect it to work very well. Places like Campmor have them and they roll up like a yoga mat when you use them for camping...

- Allen.

[Sharroll Celby]

Also, get some support for under your knees. I use a piece of foam rubber covered in Ultrasuede, and that works wonders. It helps spread out the pressure points all along the thighs, and not rely on just your butt.
86,000 miles later, I think I got this one right!

[bobcowan]

Don't use a gel pad. I tried a gel pad on my motorcycle seat. It was pretty comfortable while I was sitting on it. But if you leave it in the sun for a while, it will absorb a lot of heat. It gives a whole new meaning to the words "hemorrhoidal flare up".

[wrogers55]

My 300 series Backdraft has just OK seats, but very soft foam and it's easy to bottom out. I'm not a big guy at 165 pounds on a fat day but I needed to find a fix. Mine was simple and an accident.

Strolling through Costco I came upon some kitchen mats, maybe 3'X2', and half an inch thick, made of a very dense foam. Dense enough to stand on and support your weight. So I bought 4 at something like $7 buck each. Cut them to shape for the seat bottom, layered two together, opened up the seat bottom upholstery by pulling the staples, inserted the foam on the bottom of the existing foam, closed it all back up with staples and cover.

The difference is amazing and the foam does not pack down. Zero bottoming. I may be raised up a bit in the seat, really can't tell the difference but the comfort level is greatly improved. Over the winter I went back to the same process and put one layer in the seat back which was much more difficult but well worth it.

Last week our local Costco still had the mats with chickens or ducks printed on them. Foam was the same. Your milage may vary.

Just another idea.

[Donunder]

Bill this may not be what you're really looking for, but there's a company down here in Oz called AirHawk that make air seats for bikes cars trucks heavy machinery etc.

Here's a link: http://www.airhawk.com.au/AIRHAWK-Cu...-Cushions.html

I have one on my motorcycle and the difference it made to my comfort over 800 - 900 klm days was astounding. The trick is to inflate it just enough so that your behind is just clear, like about 1/8th inch, of the seat. Too much air turns it into a trampoline. On the bike its other advantage is that it allows lovely cooling air to circulate around your err crown jewels which further adds to the comfort. Not sure that you'd receive this added benefit in a car -- you might...

A friend of mine has mounted his AirHawk under the seat cover of his bike so that it's not visible but the seat looks a bit lumpy now.

I haven't tried one of these in a car but if they work as well as mine does on the bike, your problem is solved. You'll just have to pop it in the trunk when parked.

[Three Peaks]

You could also try some of those standing mats sold at Harbor Freight. They are a very dense foam and really don't compress much but they are very comfortable to stand on and kneel on when I'm doing work on the floor.
At work we use some pads for kneeling on made by a company called Ergo. They come in a number of different sizes, but most of them are about 16" x 30" and about 1 1/4" thick. They are much softer than the standing pads and would probably make a great seat pad. They are made for heavy industrial environments so they should last a long while as a seat cushion.

Bob

[HIPO289]

Bill Google Pegasus Racing they stock a hitech "backsaver pad" and other useful padding products for race seats. Warren

[am9648]

Bill,

I used an inflatable stadium cushion in my by Backdraft seat.

We planned cruise to the Texas Hill country and I needed a cushion for the 200+ mile trip.

I tried adding foam padding but just did not feel right, thought about the cushion I use for the NASCAR races and used different air pressure until I felt comfortable.

Worked great, no sore a$$. It is a temporary fix, but really worked out well.

am

[oleyellar]

Here is a great outfit that can fix you right up.
http://www.oregonaero.com/products

They will rebuild your seats, they will make you new seats, they will sell you portable cushions.... just give them a call. Great folks.

They can make your butt feel again. Numb not good.

[Jamo]

Been using the memory foam for years...got the idea from Big Bob as a matter of fact. We needed something thinner to gain me more room and so I sit lower (obviously Biggie's issue as well), and yet something that wouldn't just flatten out and leave the seat covers all empty.

After so many years...they still hold their shape and my Cobra seats are actually as comfortable as the panzor's.

Of course...I do carry my own padding as well.

[jknich]

You could also try cutting up one of those cheap "Memory" foam mattress toppers on top of the stock foam. Usually 2" thick. That is what I plan on doing.