Post by jass on Mar 14, 2024 16:20:15 GMT
Many years after ... many of us might have done the unthinkable and changed their MK1s ... I am trying it now with a MK4. Tried to avoid it for 8 years and it is not an easy relationship by any means - but we (and her) are working on it:).
At least I managed to get (with my nearly 2 meters) in, which is promising. I am willing to share more about (the relationship) but would focus on the topic of stretching the little car (smallest of all 5s) to suit taller men.
I learned a LOT while doing the unthinkable and most is summed up here (not in an eye pleasing way but I will explain more below):
www.jassperformance.com/shop/Jass-MX5-Miata-ND-Seat-Lowering
In short - there are nearly 8cm missing in a regular ND and maybe 11ish for a 197cm man to fit in (long torso, so count me approx. 2 meters).
There is just limited potential to lower the seat (as it can be felt underneath) which maxes to almost 6cm. I could work out the potential of 6cm and at the end I managed to offer lowering without seat modification with this drop even on rails, there is more info in the link above. However this is not enough and additional measures are needed. I have a feeling, this brings us to where MK1 defoamed seat is.
The MK1 seat shape allows the driver do "dive in" deeper, which helps with headroom (and helmet racing). The MK4 seat back is shaped in a way this is impossible and it adds maybe 8-10cm in thickness. This itself provides good 2-3cm if the body is rested to the back. And more ergonomic feel.
The MK1 turned out to have amazing seats to provide space for tall drivers and to my surprise the MK4 outperforms it with its seats.
There is a lot more to share but even some of the small measures here help immediately in terms of room and support.
P.S. Just as a reference I remembered this old (but gold) VW add, where they state 37.5 inches might not be enough for 2'1" Wilt but will be for 6'7". He might have fitted in the MK4 with the 38.2" though:).
(In metric terms, we are having 3cm more headroom:).
P.P.S. Is there still someone using Nutz?
At least I managed to get (with my nearly 2 meters) in, which is promising. I am willing to share more about (the relationship) but would focus on the topic of stretching the little car (smallest of all 5s) to suit taller men.
I learned a LOT while doing the unthinkable and most is summed up here (not in an eye pleasing way but I will explain more below):
www.jassperformance.com/shop/Jass-MX5-Miata-ND-Seat-Lowering
In short - there are nearly 8cm missing in a regular ND and maybe 11ish for a 197cm man to fit in (long torso, so count me approx. 2 meters).
There is just limited potential to lower the seat (as it can be felt underneath) which maxes to almost 6cm. I could work out the potential of 6cm and at the end I managed to offer lowering without seat modification with this drop even on rails, there is more info in the link above. However this is not enough and additional measures are needed. I have a feeling, this brings us to where MK1 defoamed seat is.
The MK1 seat shape allows the driver do "dive in" deeper, which helps with headroom (and helmet racing). The MK4 seat back is shaped in a way this is impossible and it adds maybe 8-10cm in thickness. This itself provides good 2-3cm if the body is rested to the back. And more ergonomic feel.
The MK1 turned out to have amazing seats to provide space for tall drivers and to my surprise the MK4 outperforms it with its seats.
There is a lot more to share but even some of the small measures here help immediately in terms of room and support.
P.S. Just as a reference I remembered this old (but gold) VW add, where they state 37.5 inches might not be enough for 2'1" Wilt but will be for 6'7". He might have fitted in the MK4 with the 38.2" though:).
(In metric terms, we are having 3cm more headroom:).
P.P.S. Is there still someone using Nutz?