Cabin roof/ceiling liner height/thickness - helmet clearance help??

[RB30X]

I've mentioned this issue before in my build thread but its popped up again.

 

I'm 175cm tall (or short), and head clearance is fine when driving my Zed until I put on a helmet 

 

I fully have to slide the seat foward a bit and tilt the seat backwards so my head is only slightly driven into the roof.

 

It makes things very uncomfortable during a drag race, let alone if I was to actually race it around a track for more than a few seconds.

 

I have mod plated custom seats.

 

My seat mounts on the floor are factory, my rails are very shallow (must be similar to factory) and the seat cushions dont seem very thick.

 

While my car was in pieces the other day, the roof liner decided to unglue itself and left tiny pieces of old foam all over my interior.

 

I raced out to Bunnings and got a meter of thin black marine carpet stuff and traced out the old liner as a template.

 

When I glued it back up, I noticed there is some black plastic "webbing" like the inside of a tinny (small aluminum fishing vessel used for running into rocks and submurged trees ) with foam sections inbetween the plastic webbing, which kind of strengthens the roof and provides a flat surface for the liner.

 

Is this factory?

 

I didn't think the liner would just be glued to the roof, but I didn't really know what I expected to see.

 

Perhaps my "roof" is a bit thicker than normal and that is causing the clearance issue when wearing a helmet.

 

What do you guys think?

 

cheers

[PeterAllen]

...Perhaps my "roof" is a bit thicker than normal ...

 

Tim (aka HYQ) - There is something 'a bit thicker' about all this but it's not your roof!

 

Here is my roof liner and while it's a bit moth-eaten there doesn't appear to be any pattern suggesting vibration dampening webbing or the like.

 

It's a bit sad that you are already looking for excuses and you haven't even competed. Do I detect some Pommie ancestry!

[RB30X]

Does that glue straight up to the steel of your roof though Peter?

 

I'b got meeself a new ruddy clutch now so i gotta fine meeself anova excuse doun I .......

[dat2kman]

Tim, if only you is gonna drive, consider hard mounting the custom seat mounts to a pair of thin steel straps, bolted to the stock floor bolt holes, this gets rid of adjustable runners, and gives you an extra 25 mm.

 

The plasticky webbing ribby stuff is to stop "drumming" it adds weight!!, get rid of it, use 3M spray on kwik grip whatever onto thinnish padded whatever, as a roof liner, that will give you another 10 mm.

 

Get an old, real old, helmet, see how much ypu can grind off the top, a bit of spray putty, and Holts Duplicolour touch up paint, no one will know! That should give you another 5 mm

 

Presto problem solved, you just lowered your arse by 40 mm !!!

[RB30X]

Thanks Jason. That's a lot of effort for 40mm.

How do tall people go??

[PZG302]

For me no roof lining.and.hard mount the seat to the floor, was interesting when the better half helped.me.with bleeding brakes as she couldn't reach the pedals and had to sit right.at the front of the seat and hang onto the steering wheel to use the brakes. Getting in and out with the cage was also a challenge for her....

[perrin_07]

It's a bit sad that you are already looking for excuses and you haven't even competed. Do I detect some Pommie ancestry!

 

From what i see being a 'pommie', you Aussies whinge more about our supposed whinging. How long did you whinge and mope about the ashes losses!

p.s look up the word pommie and its reference, most people dont know what it means but its very harsh and insulting.

[RB30X]

You are the only pommie I know that is offended by that and I know and am related to a lot of pommies. And yes we know what it means.

 

Do you still have hard feelings about being sent over as a convict?

 

And you brought up the ashes. Pommies always go on and on about the ashes when ever they win because its so few and far between. Even pommies who never even follow sport get a kick out of it.

 

Just relax mate.

[perrin_07]

lol no, but i know any aussie i have spoken dont understand the term and do use it in a derogatory way. for example, i used to work at a bakery and they did do it to annoy and agitate me.....i did mean to put a 'smiley' face after it, my bad!

 

actually, i always bring up the ashes whenever i hear something about 'pommies' whinging. i use it as a way to stop them talking

[RB30X]

That's ok.

 

Mine still go on about some free kick in the rugby that won some game a million years ago 

[zed74]

Hi

 

I am 196cm (short ) & fit in my zed with race helmet no problems

 

I had my 1974 tarmac rally car's original floor mounting points modified lower & also managed to keep the 260z adjustable runners fitted to velo seat brackets (with a bit of further modding)

 

Can photograph for you if that helps

[RB30X]

I'd like to see a pic of the roof if thats ok.

You reckon everyones carpets are glued straight to the roof steel.

I think that would give me the space I need.

This car did have a sun roof at one stage so maybe this webbing was installed to support the roof after that was removed?

[chris240]

Ive got original seat rails with mx5 seats, and have all the factory roof linings. The best i could do was to borrow a mates 80's style open face helmet which is nowhere near as chunky as a modern helmet. The helmet just touch the lining but for more trackwork Id have to change the seat....Im around 6ft 3"..well suited to ol Valiants