More incremental progress. While I wait for the ECU parts I’m moving on to other things like securing occupants and accelerator pedals. Easier item was the pedal, after reviewing Ultima’s guidance I made some minor modifications. Their setup makes perfect sense for the right hand drive cars, but I don’t need to live with RHD limitations of the steering column. After a bit of test fitting I ended up finding a home for the standard GM pedal just below the center bar. It barely fits, but opens up a few opportunities. 1st with the lower fitment I’ll be able to remove it easier without pulling off the center body section. It may be possible in standard position, but lowering it just makes things easier. 2nd and more importantly it lowers my CG, obviously the 1/2 lb matters being moved 3.5 inches down. Okay maybe not. 3rd the mount is extremely solid because of its three mount points eliminating any opportunity for flexing.

Accelerator Pedal - GM #10379038

**look around for good pricing, there are numerous vendors with absurd pricing. I found it on RockAuto for $123 plus shipping.

Below captures the ideation through ‘build’ process. Mount with 3 rivet nuts. Tucked behind passenger foot rest.

Next Up Seats!

Those handy devices that normally hold your ass in position and occasionally more securely while you mow your local tracks lawn. As this build is aiming for well beyond 100 mph, maybe 200…, I’d like to be secure. Additionally I’d like to tour some of the United States in it so I will not be rocking aluminum buckets. After quite a bit of searching I’ve found a very small number of manufacturers that have options that will fit inside the tiny cockpit of an Ultima. Enter Tillett Racing Seats…

Plethora of possibilities which I’ll go through in minor detail:

B10 - Appears to be their new saloon seat, very upright without high side bolsters. More for non-racing situations. NOT LIKELY.
B2 - Formula style seat with major recline and high leg height, NO.
B3.5 - Another formula car seat with custom mounts required, definite NO.
B4 - Formula style seat with lower leg height, MAYBE. Ultima is has minimal vertical height and decent leg space.
B5 - More of a saloon car upright seat without much of any side bolsters. NOT PREFERRED.
B6 - Upright saloon car seat and popular in Lotus (Loti?), with big bolsters. MAYBE.
B7 - Lighter version of B6. I’m not made of that much money, nor do I care about 1 kg for $1,000. NO.
B8 - Similar to B8 with lower side bolsters, more for streetcar in support of 3 pt. belts. NO. Running 6 pt. harness.
B9 - Another saloon car option with lower side bolsters. Again more for street and 3 pt. belts. NO.
Bunch of W variations that are all for low cars and custom separate headrests. NO.

After this pile of internet sleuthing I narrowed my sights on B6, which I’ve sat in randomly**, or the B4.

**At Miata Reunion I walked passed an NA and promptly asked, “is that a real Tillett” to which the response was, “is there any other kind”. Sat in their B6 and was instantly impressed with seat contour.

Next step….. find which fits in my damn car and which makes more sense!!

Cardboard Aided Design

Side by Side

After cutting out both profiles for general mock up I had to at least ensure they fit in the car. B4 definitely is low and long, but fits. While the B6 is tall and will likely require some lay back.

B6 Crude Fitment

Doesn’t account for seat bubble that will raise the sides and top. Doesn’t change placement in floor pan.

B4 Crude Fitment

Doesn’t account for seat bubble that will raise the sides and top. Doesn’t change placement in floor pan.

Butt Alignment

Without moving or angling the seats I wanted to understand where my ass would reside. Goal was to find out reach to peals and subsequently headroom.

Take Away

After sitting in the car with pedals in place I actually need to have my butt closer if not on top of the B4 circle regardless of seat. On top of this I need to be as low as possible to keep my head away from the top bars and body. Out of the two seats I am leaning towards the B4 for a few reasons even beyond these two core requirements.

Still need a place for fire suppression system; the B4 has a bit spot behind that can be an excellent home for a pair of bottles…one for cockpit and the other for engine bay. Nice and low while not too hard to access.
The harness mount points are quite high if I use upper side of cross bar, using the lower side gives a decent angle on the B4 seat. Close to level of maybe a bit low. This assumes I mount seat a bit higher than smashed on floor.
Long laid back position is obviously more cool
A lower position allows more flexibility with seat in terms of head height for both me and the passenger. Scrunched legs is way better than a compressed spine.

Last part of this post is a simple thank you to GregRaceParts.com. Greg has been super responsive and helpful sharing knowledge about Tillett seats and the plethora of options. Hoping soon to find a B4 to sit my butt in before committing to purchasing a pair. They ain’t cheap, but quality of this caliber is worth it.

Maybe soon I’ll have a seat mounting post!