Piston Slap: Zoom-Zoom, Cramp-Cramp Edition

Nezir writes:

Sajeev, I drive a 2004 Mazda RX-8 that I bought new. It currently has around 48k miles. As of late the seating has become uncomfortable and I seem to get strange cramps in my hamstrings from how the seat is pushing into my leg.

I’ve looked at some possible cars to replace it with such as the Evo X, etc. Love the Recaros on there and that alone would make me want to switch. However, I still love the RX8 and short of buying another one in R3 guise is there anything I can do to upgrade my seats?

As has become the custom these days, the seats have the side airbags built-in. So I’m not sure what options I have in the aftermarket for this. I know Recaro has the Sportster CS with airbags though I’m not sure how ‘universal’ they truly are. Mazda wants like 4k per seats for the R3 Recaros, so that’s not really an option either.

Also, I’d be ok with going for a seat without airbags, but I don’t know what effect that has on the rest of the SRS system.

Sajeev answers:

There are many options if don’t mind losing your side airbags. I’ve had good luck installing non-airbag racing seats to a C6 Corvette Z06. And, in that car, the difference was worth every penny.

Your best bet is to ask an RX-8 forum like the RX-8 Club. Find the pitfalls of modifying the Mazda seat tracks to adapt aftermarket seat mounts: the remedy should be nothing more than regular tools in your garage and a little brainpower. (Or, perhaps, a BFH.) Ask if fooling the air bag harness with a resistor is an option, or if you can unplug-n-play without upsetting the dashboard or the traction control system. What good are those seats if they figuratively put the brakes on your fun?

So before you buy, do a little research on the nanny-logic inside Mazda’s microprocessors. There’s a good chance you can get away with it and get a great pair of seats for a reasonable price.

[Send your technical queries to mehta@ttac.com]