Sparco Seat Mount Bolts

#1

I have two Sparco seats to mount using the steel Sparco mounts and the VAC floor adapters. My question is what bolts, washers, etc should I use to mount the Sparco seats to the Sparco mounts?

I didn’t see bolts that came with the seats/mounts and the ones that come with the VAC floor adapters seem only to be for the adapters to the Sparco mounts (as they don’t thread in the seats).

Oh, and I’m looking forward to finding out just how well all this goes together, or not. Searching shows that other people have had issues with the Sparco mounts and VAC adapters.

Thanks for the help!

#2

The VAC floor mounts are designed to work with the MOMO or VAC side mounts. With those the holes line up perfectly. With the sparco side mounts every 5 or so hole lines up thereby severly limiting the mounting locations.

I carried a seat into Lowe’s with me to get the bolts to screw into the seat for the side mounts. I used the allen head bolts, sorry I can’t remember the size.

#3

I have the size somewhere, just make sure they are grade 8 or better. I got them from Autozone, Lowes and HD didn’t have the size.

#4

Also quick heads up for those shopping @ Lowes for metric hardware, in case you’re not already aware. Metric hardware carries a different grade rating that SAE, don’t confuse an 8.8 grade metric bolt (ones you will typically find @ lowes, grade 8 stuff is in limited sizes) as being the equivalent grade as a grade 8 SAE, grade 8.8 metric = grade 5 SAE, grade 10.9 metric is = grade 8 SAE. Best place I’ve found for all sizes and grades of hardware you could ever need is mcmaster-carr www.mcmaster.com . Basically I go to lowes/home depot for the sizes I need then order from mcmaster what ever I need.

#5

Thanks for the grade/class info. Interestingly enough the VAC floor adapters came with bolts that are 8.8.

Also, the size for the Sparco seats to the side mounts are M8x1.25. I found that 16mm length works perfectly if you also throw on a lock washer.

#6

Well, I tried and tried but couldn’t get a setup that worked well with the Sparco side mounts and VAC floor adapters. So the VAC side mounts are on order. I will post how the install of those go.

I may have some unused Sparco side mounts for sale…

#7

When installing the VAC floor mounts, keep an eye on the rear bolt on the mount that is next to the door sill. When I first installed mine the bolt extended far enough through the floor to push on the brake lines that run right below the mounting points. I had to put a thick washer on the bolt so it wouldn’t be near the lines.

#8

Fastenal (www.fastenal.com) will actually let you purchase individual bolts and fasteners in single quantities (a couple cents for the M8x1.25). Sure you pay a bit on shipping, but the total price is still pretty nice compared to AutoZone and some other places I’ve looked.

#9

I just got my VAC seat mounts today and they fit the Sparcos nicely and mount up, of course, with the VAC floor adapters. Everything fits rather well and the seats are centered left/right as they should be.

So now I have two sets of Sparco steel seat mounts. Anybody want them? $50 plus shipping per set.

#10

Is there a reason why you couldn’t drill a new hole in the Sparco side mount to match the VAC spacing?

I ask because i’m about to order VAC mount adapters and i plan to use Corbeau side mounts w/ a Corbeau seat. I plan to drill/hammer/throw as needed to make it work, but maybe there’s something i’m missing.

VAC is pretty proud of their side mounts at $140… :woohoo: :laugh: :angry: :blink:

#11

Good question. I’ll have to look at the Sparco mounts this weekend versus the VAC ones. I do remember spending a ton of time trying to make them work (without modifying them) all to no avail.

Don’t hold me to this, but I think part of the problem may have been the “bend” in the seat mounts where the bottom folds under. I’m not quite sure that the Sparco and VAC had the same amount of bend in them, thus you may have had to play games just to get them to sit on the VAC floor adapters, let alone the holes match up.

Like I said, I’ll look at them closer this weekend and post what I find.

#12

I’ve got a Momo seat with steel Momo side mounts and the VAC adapter. Everything bolted up just fine, but I don’t think the seat is very on-center. Of course, once you’re driving at speed, this issue is hardly bothersome.

Sasha

#13

I had the same issue two years ago when I bought the VAC mounts.

The VAC mounts are made to specifically use the MOMO side mounts. The base mount holes line up perfectly giving you lots of adjustability.

Also, good luck fitting any plus sized seats between the mounts with the VAC floor mounts.

Sell the Sparco’s and get the MOMO’s and it will fit together perfectly.

JP

#14

I was told by the chief of safety at NASA Norcal that the seat manufacturers require the use of their mounts to remain FIA compliant with the testing and approval of the FIA.

#15

That may very well be true, but I’ve never had a tech issue with it; Sparco EVO/MOMO sidemounts.

#17

falls over dead

#18

I used the VAC mounts with both a Sparco 2000 (with Sparco mounts) and my Racetech seat (with Racetech mounts). Yes, they don’t line up perfectly but I was able to find an alignment that works well for me - a little trial and error, but it’s not too complicated. And I can’t imagine why someone couldn’t drill an extra hole in the seat mount if needed for that “down to the 1/2” spacing. Good luck with your build.

#19

I ended up grabbing a used set of VACadapters and the VAC side mounts. I confirmed that the Corbeau seat side bolt spacing should work w/ the VAC side mounts.

Hopefully it’ll all work out and i can move on. I’ve been thinking/plotting/planning/hating heat mounts for well over a year now. :silly:

#20

I have the VAC floor adapter is, but not he side mounts yet. It’ll probably make sense when i get it all together, but how are the floor adapters oriented?

I see they can fit on the floor studs/holes shifted forward or backward. I assume the tunnel side adapter fits so that the side mount will mount doorward of the factor seat floor holes? IE, theres no way to mount the side mount closer to the tunnel by flipping it right? It won’t fit. Does this put the seat far enough to toward the tunnel?

And on the outter door side adapter, do the side mount holes go inward or doorward? If doorward it looks like they’ll cover the stock seatbelt bracket mount hole where i have a harness eyebolt. Thatd be ok i guess, i need to move that back anyway. Or do they go inward and mirror the inboard adapter?

This is what i think about at night…

#22

Hey,

I have the VAC floor adapters and VAC side mounts now and everything seems to be working. The side mounts do fit on my Corbeau FX1 seats, yay.

Did your floor mount adapters come w/ bolts? Mine did not. So i guess i’ll be hitting up Autozone for some bolts. My seats do have the side mount bolts, though, so i’m set there at least.