Seat swap

DaleM · 12-25-2003, 05:01 PM

Any suggestions on which seat will reduce the most weight and provide moderate comfort? I don't want to feel like I'm riding on a padded coffee can.
How much does the 03 Cobra seat and associated electronics weigh?

Jagged Edge · 01-10-2004, 03:12 PM

It's cheaper to add more HP than to buy new seats.
JE

DaleM · 01-11-2004, 12:41 PM

Jagged,
thanks for being "master of the obvious". If you get the time or have the knowledge please answer the original question. As you are acutely aware of adding HP usually increases an additional load on the suspension, mo' weight. The IRS is more apt to road racing..read driving than dragging (i assume you think I want to reduce weight for drag races). Everyone who owns an 03 Cobra and has seen the results of hooking up at high RPMs can attest to the weakness of the IRS. I'm actually reducing weight on the suspension for road courses. The car has been lowered, under cornering the increased g-forces tend to compress the suspension and cause some light rubbing inside the fenders, rolling the fender is also going to be done.
While 500rwhp is about where I'm at now I have one more HP project but I'll ask the, "How do I increase the HP question?" later. I'm leaning towards the Apten blower porting just for shits and giggles.

jjraiser · 01-11-2004, 10:02 PM

Dale,

I agree, weight loss is the number one mod any Mustanger can do. It improves all three aspects to performance driving: acceleration, handling, and braking. More power (especially on a heavy car) only stresses all the components.

Back to your question. As you read in the subject line, I'm suggesting the Recaro SRD seats. They are light. There are lighter racing buckets, but the kind that don't recline (the padded coffee cups). The SRDs recline and are very streetable. And, you will not move under heavy lateral g's.

Regarding the OEM power seats in the Cobra? Freaking heavy. You'll break your back if you're not careful. I removed both front seats and the back seat bottom (maybe 5 pounds?). Installed the Recaros and the care looks very nice. The rear seat backs lay absolutely flat and lift up as storage "bins" where the seat bottom was.

Oh, the Recaro SRDs aren't cheap (as the Edge pointed out). I paid about $650 EACH through SeatSource.com. The sales staff is great.

By the way, for a good shift in weight, relocate the battery to the right rear trunk!!! It's a hell of a process, but worth it.

What tire size are you getting your fender rubbing with?

"Road racing rules!"
JJ Raiser

Yellow03 · 01-11-2004, 11:46 PM

Excerpt from the Brian Hill 2003 Cobra Terminator FAQ:

3.15.5. Weight Reduction
To reduce the amount of weight on the Cobra, the following items may be removed:
1. Jack and lugwrench: 6.0lbs
2. Spare tire and hold-down: 27.0lbs
3. Stock battery: 37.5lbs
4. Rear seat: 37.0lbs
5. Rear seatbelts: 5.0lbs
6. Supercharger pulley guard: 2.0lbs
7. Differential weight: 7.5lbs
8. Mach460 head unit: 5.5lbs
9. Mach460 rear enclosure w/amps: 22.0lbs
10. Mach460 front speakers: 5.0lbs
11. Front driver seat: 62.0lbs
12. Front passenger seat: 43.0lbs

Total Deleted Weight: 262.5lbs

DaleM · 01-12-2004, 06:55 AM

Yellow,
Those are interesting numbers! I finally went with the Corbreau CR1's and SPARCO belts. Black on Red to match the crazy chrome red wheels from AFS.
Thanks all!

12-25-2003, 05:01 PM	#1
DaleM Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 22	Seat swap Any suggestions on which seat will reduce the most weight and provide moderate comfort? I don't want to feel like I'm riding on a padded coffee can. How much does the 03 Cobra seat and associated electronics weigh?

01-10-2004, 03:12 PM	#2
Jagged Edge Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bradenton FL Posts: 10	It's cheaper to add more HP than to buy new seats. JE __________________ 2003 Black Coup, SVT 10th Anniversary Cobra Build Date: 7/14/03 Build # 7873 (of 8394) 10th Anniv. # 1183 (of 2003)

01-11-2004, 12:41 PM	#3
DaleM Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 22	Duh! Jagged, thanks for being "master of the obvious". If you get the time or have the knowledge please answer the original question. As you are acutely aware of adding HP usually increases an additional load on the suspension, mo' weight. The IRS is more apt to road racing..read driving than dragging (i assume you think I want to reduce weight for drag races). Everyone who owns an 03 Cobra and has seen the results of hooking up at high RPMs can attest to the weakness of the IRS. I'm actually reducing weight on the suspension for road courses. The car has been lowered, under cornering the increased g-forces tend to compress the suspension and cause some light rubbing inside the fenders, rolling the fender is also going to be done. While 500rwhp is about where I'm at now I have one more HP project but I'll ask the, "How do I increase the HP question?" later. I'm leaning towards the Apten blower porting just for shits and giggles.

01-11-2004, 10:02 PM	#4
jjraiser Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 82	Recar SRDs Dale, I agree, weight loss is the number one mod any Mustanger can do. It improves all three aspects to performance driving: acceleration, handling, and braking. More power (especially on a heavy car) only stresses all the components. Back to your question. As you read in the subject line, I'm suggesting the Recaro SRD seats. They are light. There are lighter racing buckets, but the kind that don't recline (the padded coffee cups). The SRDs recline and are very streetable. And, you will not move under heavy lateral g's. Regarding the OEM power seats in the Cobra? Freaking heavy. You'll break your back if you're not careful. I removed both front seats and the back seat bottom (maybe 5 pounds?). Installed the Recaros and the care looks very nice. The rear seat backs lay absolutely flat and lift up as storage "bins" where the seat bottom was. Oh, the Recaro SRDs aren't cheap (as the Edge pointed out). I paid about $650 EACH through SeatSource.com. The sales staff is great. By the way, for a good shift in weight, relocate the battery to the right rear trunk!!! It's a hell of a process, but worth it. What tire size are you getting your fender rubbing with? "Road racing rules!" JJ Raiser

01-11-2004, 11:46 PM	#5
Yellow03 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 19	Excerpt from the Brian Hill 2003 Cobra Terminator FAQ: 3.15.5. Weight Reduction To reduce the amount of weight on the Cobra, the following items may be removed: 1. Jack and lugwrench: 6.0lbs 2. Spare tire and hold-down: 27.0lbs 3. Stock battery: 37.5lbs 4. Rear seat: 37.0lbs 5. Rear seatbelts: 5.0lbs 6. Supercharger pulley guard: 2.0lbs 7. Differential weight: 7.5lbs 8. Mach460 head unit: 5.5lbs 9. Mach460 rear enclosure w/amps: 22.0lbs 10. Mach460 front speakers: 5.0lbs 11. Front driver seat: 62.0lbs 12. Front passenger seat: 43.0lbs Total Deleted Weight: 262.5lbs __________________ Mike M 2003 Cobra Convertible - Yellow CAI Borla cat-back Bassani x-pipe 2.8 Pulley & Diablo chip Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch Autometer Lunar series Vac/Boost and F/P gauges

01-12-2004, 06:55 AM	#6
DaleM Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 22	Yellow, Those are interesting numbers! I finally went with the Corbreau CR1's and SPARCO belts. Black on Red to match the crazy chrome red wheels from AFS. Thanks all!

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