LocostUSA.com

Learning how to build Lotus Seven replicas...together!
It is currently March 28, 2024, 8:52 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: September 2, 2020, 11:25 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: August 9, 2007, 2:07 pm
Posts: 302
Location: Downingtown, PA
Hey everyone,. I figured there are enough people that have cut up miatas in this group that someone may be able to answer this question. I'm thinking about playing with a miata as a more practical alternative to my trike when I want to bring someone along or need more than 1 sqft of storage space. The problem is I'm 6'9" and all legs. Does anyone have a good feel for how much room there is to possibly modify the bulkhead behind the seats to be able to move the seat pan back? How about the transmission tunnel, could the center console be reduced for added knee room? Could the peddle box be extended into the engine compartment any? An inch here and there make a world of difference. I fit better in something like an MGB but sound ones are more expensive than miatas and trying to keep this very budget minded since it would be a second toy. Thoughts?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 2, 2020, 12:08 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: October 19, 2012, 9:25 pm
Posts: 3365
Location: Summerville, SC
There is very little room behind the rear bulkhead before you run into the rear suspension subframe.

You could maybe narrow the tunnel by an inch or more.

I'm not sure about the footwell. Besides moving the firewall you have to relocate the pedals.

It's easier to buy a Z3 or Z4 :lol:

_________________
Too much week, not enough weekend.

OOPS I did it again
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=17496

Blood Sweat and Beers
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=15216


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 2, 2020, 12:50 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: August 9, 2007, 2:07 pm
Posts: 302
Location: Downingtown, PA
I've never sat in a z3/4, they have more legroom?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 2, 2020, 12:57 pm 
Offline

Joined: January 27, 2010, 1:11 pm
Posts: 540
Location: Jefferson City, MO
for the NA miatas, you can do the foamectomy on the stock seats. I am 6'4" and this gained me the much needed room to make it more comfortable. At 6'9" I would look at possible ways to elimiate the back of the seat and only use the base of the seat. Maybe a thin foam pad secured to the panel behind the seats.

_________________
Build on

Chris
Build: NA Miata based +221 Se7en


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 2, 2020, 2:20 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: October 19, 2012, 9:25 pm
Posts: 3365
Location: Summerville, SC
wyked wrote:
I've never sat in a z3/4, they have more legroom?

They do. Michael Jordan used to drive a Z3.

I couldn't believe how much bigger the cockpit in mine was than the 99 Miata I replaced.

_________________
Too much week, not enough weekend.

OOPS I did it again
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=17496

Blood Sweat and Beers
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=15216


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 3, 2020, 7:41 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: August 9, 2007, 2:07 pm
Posts: 302
Location: Downingtown, PA
Thanks for the responses, gives me more to think about as I try and find a way to convince DW it's a good idea...


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 3, 2020, 10:51 am 
Offline

Joined: April 1, 2010, 10:26 am
Posts: 564
Another good option is to remove the seat entirely and build a custom foam seat, this will maximize the use of the available space but still end up with a comfortable seat.

Checkout https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/docum ... =TECH00121

Graham


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 3, 2020, 11:15 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: April 26, 2008, 6:06 pm
Posts: 3268
Location: Under the weather. (Seattle)
I'm not sure it would be enough, but have you tried sitting in a 3rd gen Miata? They're a bit bigger and more spacious.

_________________
-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 3, 2020, 12:12 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: August 9, 2007, 2:07 pm
Posts: 302
Location: Downingtown, PA
I had the custom foam seat thought, that's what I did with my trike and I love it.

I've only ever sat in the first 2 generations (when they first came out), kind of gave up after that. I havent checked pricing on 3rd gen but I'd imagine they may be out of my price range

Thanks


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: September 4, 2020, 6:28 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: March 30, 2011, 7:18 am
Posts: 1615
Location: central Arkansas
FastG wrote:
Another good option is to remove the seat entirely and build a custom foam seat,


Why not? The Series 1 Lotus 7 just had a pad on the firewall and another pad to sit on, basically.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: November 12, 2020, 3:27 pm 
Offline

Joined: November 11, 2020, 11:36 pm
Posts: 18
wyked wrote:
modify the bulkhead behind the seats to be able to move the seat pan back?

Relocate the gas tank and you might be able to move the seat back.
I have a Kirkey seat in my Miata that gives me 4 or 5 extra inches.
These pics might give you an idea where you can make room.

https://www.motorpunk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/suspension-subframes-mazda-mx-5-restored-1-346x474.jpg

https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/momo-media/16791448/mazda-mx5-diagram.jpg


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: November 13, 2020, 10:58 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: August 9, 2007, 2:07 pm
Posts: 302
Location: Downingtown, PA
Thanks for the pics! I also found a video about shortening the gas pedal to buy more leg room. Lots of possibilities.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: November 24, 2020, 6:11 pm 
Offline

Joined: July 20, 2009, 1:16 am
Posts: 226
Location: Sydney, Australia
6'5" here and I daily drove my NA MX-5 (Miata to you guys) for ages.

The things I found most helpful were:
- Smaller steering wheel, this made the biggest difference. Get the smallest you can find.
- Foam-ectomy on the seat, an electric carving knife cuts the foam easily. I mainly did the base of the seat because I found if I removed the rear pad it gave an awkward hunched over position, which I then needed to slide the seat forward and lean it back to counteract, leading to less overall room.
- Made a custom dead pedal to replace the black plastic one, this allowed a much more stretched out position when cruising.

_________________
Scratch built turbo V8 hot-rod in progress
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=19549


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: March 2, 2021, 3:59 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: August 9, 2007, 2:07 pm
Posts: 302
Location: Downingtown, PA
Just to follow up, I ended up picking up a 2003 Z4. I couldnt fit in the Z3 but fit fine in the Z4 without modifications.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
POWERED_BY