Braum Falcon S

[StingertimeNC]

Installed my Braum Falcon S fixed back buckets in the car today.

I used the bracket and slider, side mount seat kit from PCI. The engineering of that kit was perfect. No issues putting it together or getting it into the car.

@procarinnovations

if you need anything from there, contact Chris in sales. Great to deal with and he’ll even give you a discount on a kit for your Integra or CTR.

if you’re going to buy online, use code “PCI – 10” for 10% discount. Their website was a little unclear on the kit for our car so I emailed them directly. They asked me what kind of seats I was mounting and if they were side mount or bottom, mount, etc., and sold me the perfect kit. I paid around $550 for the full kit for both front seats.

As far as the seats, you can see the dimensions of the seats on the Braum website. I would not want to go any larger regardless of what seat you’re getting. The shoulder width is maxed out, coming within a quarter inch of the B pillar. I’m 6’1”, weigh 220, and this seat is for a 38” waist, max. Perfect fitment for me. You may be able to squeeze into the seat if you’re a 39 waist.

I already had the seats, so it was worth buying the brackets to get them installed, especially for track days. They’re not bad around town other than you have to adjust the way you get in and out of the car.
I’m using a stock seat belts, including the seatbelt sensor. I’m planning on using the resistor to shut off the airbag light. I’ll report back on how that goes.

if I had it to do over again, I would probably get the Braum falcon recline-able buckets. I think it would be a little bit easier to get comfortable. The seat brackets are pretty adjustable in terms of what kind of rake you want. I couldn’t quite get the front of the seat as high as I wanted, so I added a couple of washers under the mounting plate just for a little more thigh support.
The color scheme matches very well.

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[J_Too_Fade]

"Love the seats man" how are they getting in and out? Do they hold you in during aggressive driving on the track?

 

[RamVA]

A couple suggestions:

1) I would get six-point belts in. Little reason not to, other than $ and having to drill the floor. Aside from the safety benefits, you'll be a lot more secure in the car.
2) Regardless of that, I would run the three-point belt through the seat. It'll be a lot better, especially at your height. Both at the left shoulder and the left hip.
3) If you're planning to have instruction on track, many groups require equal protection for driver and passenger.

 

[StingertimeNC]

"Love the seats man" how are they getting in and out? Do they hold you in during aggressive driving on the track?

Thanks! Yes, they are awesome at the track and on the street. You don't need to brace yourself at all.

 

[J_Too_Fade]

I been eyeing these recaro sport c seats for a minute. Only seat I seen that have full lumber heat seats function.

 

[StingertimeNC]

A couple suggestions:

1) I would get six-point belts in. Little reason not to, other than $ and having to drill the floor. Aside from the safety benefits, you'll be a lot more secure in the car.
2) Regardless of that, I would run the three-point belt through the seat. It'll be a lot better, especially at your height. Both at the left shoulder and the left hip.
3) If you're planning to have instruction on track, many groups require equal protection for driver and passenger.

1) Agree. I actually have 5 point harnesses already. I was using them on my previous car. The thing I haven't worked out yet is how to mount the harnesses in the back seat area. Previously, I had the shoulder straps crossed behind the seat and mounted using the back seat lower seatbelt mounting points. Problem is the angle of the belts was greater than 20 degrees. Probably like 40 degrees. I have all the correct hardware and if I remove the back seat I can do the same thing. But again, more than 20 degrees. Fine for running with Track Daze, even though not optimal. But some others, like TSCC for instance require 20 degrees or less. Thoughts? Is there a harness bar for our cars? haven't seen one yet for ITS or CTR.

2) As it is now, the 3 point belt does sit correctly on my hips and on my shoulder, without it routed through the seat. It feels pretty secure as is. Hoping to sort out harnesses ASAP though. Honestly I'll probably run oem seats most of the time, and just have these in for track, but just wanted to get it all sorted in the offseason.

3) Yes, I'm aware. Even TrackDaze requires that. I have the full setup for the passenger side as well, just didn't put it in yet.

What's the best way to get Harnesses in without cutting up the car? Wondering if there's a bolt in rear brace that goes between the two rear strut towers? Could that possibly work? The angle may be better. Although if it's not designed for harnesses it may not be safe.

 

[StingertimeNC]

"Love the seats man" how are they getting in and out? Do they hold you in during aggressive driving on the track?

Forgot to respond to the getting in and out part...

Getting in I go head first, throw a leg in, and grab both sides of the seat and essentially hover above the seat as I bring my other leg in, then just lower straight down into the seat. Kind of reverse going out. Downside is you need both hands getting in and out, so you can't be carrying anything when you do it. You get used to it.

 

[J_Too_Fade]

looking at them seats I figured that's what you was doing. Most importantly, bottom cushion softer then the Oem seats.

 

[StingertimeNC]

Ha ha. No bottom cushion is even firmer. You feel everything!! Kinda cool though. Much more connected to the car.

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

If you get a chance, how much do the stock seats weigh?

 

[Victorofhavoc]

1) Agree. I actually have 5 point harnesses already. I was using them on my previous car. The thing I haven't worked out yet is how to mount the harnesses in the back seat area. Previously, I had the shoulder straps crossed behind the seat and mounted using the back seat lower seatbelt mounting points. Problem is the angle of the belts was greater than 20 degrees. Probably like 40 degrees. I have all the correct hardware and if I remove the back seat I can do the same thing. But again, more than 20 degrees. Fine for running with Track Daze, even though not optimal. But some others, like TSCC for instance require 20 degrees or less. Thoughts? Is there a harness bar for our cars? haven't seen one yet for ITS or CTR.

2) As it is now, the 3 point belt does sit correctly on my hips and on my shoulder, without it routed through the seat. It feels pretty secure as is. Hoping to sort out harnesses ASAP though. Honestly I'll probably run oem seats most of the time, and just have these in for track, but just wanted to get it all sorted in the offseason.

3) Yes, I'm aware. Even TrackDaze requires that. I have the full setup for the passenger side as well, just didn't put it in yet.

What's the best way to get Harnesses in without cutting up the car? Wondering if there's a bolt in rear brace that goes between the two rear strut towers? Could that possibly work? The angle may be better. Although if it's not designed for harnesses it may not be safe.

I tech cars occasionally, and always when I instruct.

Things I will never pass that come up often:
A car with harnesses but no roll cage
Harnesses bolted insecurely or without safety pins
Expired or unrated seats or harnesses

Some groups don't check thoroughly. Others, like SCCA TNiA, outright do zero real tech or training and just throw novices in. Scca TNiA was actually banned from a local racetrack to me after several dangerous incidents, and one where the passenger ended up injured.

If you're going to go down the fixed seat route, the safest thing to do is remove the airbags and cage it. When it comes to safety you're either full flexible system or full fixed, there's no safe in between. Once you go full fixed, belts are rated for either 3 or 5 years depending on sfi or fia. You can recertify them once for an additional 2 years. I also strongly recommend a hans with harnesses so you don't snap your neck in an accident. And given your strapped in, it's wisest to have a suit at that point as well. It's a slippery slope...


... I know, I know... I'm a bummer and no fun at parties. Unfortunately, I've had a lot of exposure to on track incidents and I have to put on my safety hat at times.

 

[StingertimeNC]

If you get a chance, how much do the stock seats weigh?

Sure. 45.9lbs stock.

Braums plus all brackets and mounting plate are 35.9. Lbs.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I tech cars occasionally, and always when I instruct.

Things I will never pass that come up often:
A car with harnesses but no roll cage
Harnesses bolted insecurely or without safety pins
Expired or unrated seats or harnesses

Some groups don't check thoroughly. Others, like SCCA TNiA, outright do zero real tech or training and just throw novices in. Scca TNiA was actually banned from a local racetrack to me after several dangerous incidents, and one where the passenger ended up injured.

If you're going to go down the fixed seat route, the safest thing to do is remove the airbags and cage it. When it comes to safety you're either full flexible system or full fixed, there's no safe in between. Once you go full fixed, belts are rated for either 3 or 5 years depending on sfi or fia. You can recertify them once for an additional 2 years. I also strongly recommend a hans with harnesses so you don't snap your neck in an accident. And given your strapped in, it's wisest to have a suit at that point as well. It's a slippery slope...


... I know, I know... I'm a bummer and no fun at parties. Unfortunately, I've had a lot of exposure to on track incidents and I have to put on my safety hat at times.

Yes, we’ve always known that. You are no fun at parties! L O L.

I hear you on all of the above and have done a ton of reading on it. That’s why sticking with the stock three point seatbelt is the best if you can’t put at least a partial cage in the back, or figure out a Safe way to mount the harnesses. I do want harnesses so I can run a traditional Hans device, and would be willing to risk that kind of a set up. I know there’s a partial cage for the FK8 Civic. If I could get one for this car that would be cool.

I’ve seem people run a traditional harness bar and wear a Hans. I’m not necessarily opposed to that set up either, If I’m OK to run on the track, I’m willing to accept that risk.

 

[NoelPR]

Any Issues with airbag light turned on?

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Yes, we’ve always known that. You are no fun at parties! L O L.

I hear you on all of the above and have done a ton of reading on it. That’s why sticking with the stock three point seatbelt is the best if you can’t put at least a partial cage in the back, or figure out a Safe way to mount the harnesses. I do want harnesses so I can run a traditional Hans device, and would be willing to risk that kind of a set up. I know there’s a partial cage for the FK8 Civic. If I could get one for this car that would be cool.

I’ve seem people run a traditional harness bar and wear a Hans. I’m not necessarily opposed to that set up either, If I’m OK to run on the track, I’m willing to accept that risk.

Harness bar is even more of a no go because they're known to crumple in accidents.

If you're going to do a half cage, that works. There are several shops in your area that will build you a cage. I don't recommend cheap bolt in cages. If you do go bolt in, it has to have flat mounting surfaces, so typically you weld in a flat floor plate. Since you're a taller guy, the cage belt mount has to match for your size (like you alluded to belt angle) so custom will be the best fit.

Hans fitment is very wise once you go fixed seat. Some more strict groups will even tell you a hans is required for fixed seats. Don't forget the Simpson hybrid option!! That's a hans you can wear with a 3 point factory flex system belt. You can also keep your airbags for street use then because you're keeping other flexible systems in play.

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