Piston Slap: Zoom-Zoom, Cramp-Cramp Edition

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta

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]

Sajeev Mehta
Sajeev Mehta

More by Sajeev Mehta

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 26 comments
  • Dasko Dasko on Jun 11, 2009

    Two suggestions 1. Get the seats restored by a professional. By far the most cost effective option. 2. Get the seats out of Viggen Saab or a Volvo R car. They show up in specialist yards. Do a bit of research or just hit ebay.

  • Rix Rix on Jun 11, 2009

    A specialist in Fremont, CA redid my seats in leather, leaving a small, lightly stitched panel for the side airbags in the seats. Total cost was about $800 but I found out later I overpaid

  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
Next