Olthoff Seat Spacers

ekrupa2 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 08:30 PM

Hi Everyone -

Well it's been a week since I first picked up the car. Finally had the chance to go over to my buddy's house to start prepping for install. I stopped by the salvation army an found a nice queen sized cotton blanket for the front end cover during the install (tagged at $7.99 but paid $2.99...hey I need every cent now that I ordered the engine).

I had my son come with me and he helped me all along the way. We took out the drivers seat so I could install the Olthoff spacers and I cant describe how much this little part makes a big difference. I am 6'2" and it helps us bigger guys quite a bit. It was nice to compare next to my buddy's car...I think he is going to order a set and i am thinking of getting another for the passenger side too. One drawback...as the spacers tilt the seat back, it hits the roll bar sooner, so if you like keeping the slider seat all the way back you may not like them. Without the spacers, 3/4 slid back was comfortable for me. With the spacers, I do have the seat all the way back.

We have the hood off and installed the lap belts...does anyone know if the Finshline Shoulder Belts will work with the factory lap belts? I am not ready to spring $400 for a set of Simpsons just yet. New pics just posted too.

ttmb · #2 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 09:09 PM

Olthoff's sells the shoulder harnesses that go with the lap belts. Stock SPF takes a Y-type harness, which isn't legal in some - many - racing events. I've been meaning to call him since I saw him at Barrett Jackson. Guess I'll do that soon.

You're going to need the seats out and the tunnel opened to install the engine/tranny/driveshaft. Unless you want to do it the hard to impossible way. Few SPF owners install their own drivetrains, from what I hear, but I found it to be enjoyable, and had a great "helper"...truth be told, I was the helper LOL!

STL Mark · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 10:10 PM

Great looking car! Good luck with the install.

Lowell W · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2007, 07:46 AM

Since you're a tall guy and you're doing your own install, and you're taking the seats out anyway, you may want to check out the threads regarding tunnel removal and seating options.

If you're comfortable with the sliders installed, great! I wish I could have kept mine, but at 6'6" I needed to get my seat as far down and back as possible. If you ever decide you need more room, you're welcome to EM or PM me for details.

Removing the tunnel the first time is a miserable job but definitely easier without the transmission in the way. Once it's been out and cleaned, it's MUCH less of a chore and facilitates making other upgrades, such as better driveshaft loops and stronger U-joints.

Ohhhh...you thought you were done once you got the motor in, huh? Nope: that's just the beginning!

You'll see...

Lowell

ekrupa2 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowell W

Ohhhh...you thought you were done once you got the motor in, huh? Nope: that's just the beginning!

You'll see...

Lowell

What??? I was lied to...

All kidding aside, I can see how this will be a neverending journey. The down side is my budget is limiting me to get the car up and running and slowly save for all of the changes I am sure i should make.

Lowell W · #6 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 07:54 AM

Nah... Yeah...

All kidding aside, it's a great car and you're gonna love it, but, over time, you'll find little things you'll want to change to make it work better for you.

Enjoy your car and check out SCOF for lots of helpful info AND for the entertainment value!

Lowell

Madmiles442 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 11:42 AM

Great color combo!
Maybe I'm a little biased....

Silverback51 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowell W

Nah... Yeah...

All kidding aside, it's a great car and you're gonna love it, but, over time, you'll find little things you'll want to change to make it work better for you.

Enjoy your car and check out SCOF for lots of helpful info AND for the entertainment value!

Lowell

Okay, time to show my ignorance. What is the SCOF????

SPF1061 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Okay, time to show my ignorance. What is the SCOF????

"Superformance Cobra Owners' Forum", headed up by Randall Thomas.
go here to join:
http://performanceunlimited.com/scof/subscribe.html

ekrupa2 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 02:07 PM

Hi Mad -

SPF1061 has given you the info. I registered last week when I had physical possession of the car. I havent heard back yet but they advise it may take 2-3 weeks to get registered. I hear there is tons of technical info for SPF owners, I just wish i could have registered prior to car pick up as i am sure i would get tons of info prior to my install.

ekrupa2 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 07:59 PM

Wanted to share some more info on this subject....

We loved the drivers side spacers so much we ordered some for the passenger side. Here is what we found..Driver's side has a threaded bolt on the bottom. You screw the top of the spacer into the seat bolt, and the bottom bolt goes through the floor pan and the washer/nut attaches underneath.

Now what they don't tell you when ordered is the passenger side spacer is too large...it tilts the seat back so much that you would have to drill new seat mounting holes in the floor pan so the seat back isn't stopped by the rear firewall. What we did was cut the passenger side seat spacers in half..they give enough tilt to make them more comfortable but not enough to where you cant use the original mounting holes. You don't have this problem on the driver side as you can use the slider to move the seat forward enough to counteract this. Of course if someone was 6' 6", it might be more comfortable to drill the new holes all around.