Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone?

NewShockerGuy · 03-19-2008, 09:14 AM

I've always like the stock sti seats as far as looks... When I first got my sti back in 05 they were not bad to me... until I sat in my friends evo and was like "wow, this is how a seat should hold you"

I live in VA but my parents live in PA so needless to say I drive back and forth quite a bit.. the stock sti seats always always always hurt my ass and my lower back after 4 hrs of driving.

Last august for my Bday when I went back up to PA I bought seats off a member. Recaro SRD's. They are super tight and I love it. I am 6'1" about 145lbs... so I am pretty tall and thin. Seats felt great and actually held me in place.

Recently I am noticing that my upper shoulders and neck hurt. Honestly I don't know if the seats are the cause or if it's me sleeping at night with 5 pillows..lol But I took note today of the bolstering and when I sit in the seat the should bolsters actually move my shoulder forward when I sit into the seat, where the stock seats did not do this. IE: Sit in the stock seat and move your upper body left and right and you can move or "wobble" left and right... the SRDs you can't do this.. or at least I can't.. (which is nice because you don't slide)

Has anyone had a problem like this or am I over thinking it?

I like that the should bolsters and waist/leg bolstering is nice and tight but I am wondering if this is causing the pain on my neck since it's push my shoulders forward a little. Think of someone standing behind you and then holding your shoulders with their hands then slightly pushing them forward to squeeze...

I'll try and sleep with less pillows to see if that might be a cause as well...lol

Thanks,
-Nigel

ESmooth · 03-19-2008, 09:23 AM

I could see how that might be the case. I just installed my Sparco EVO2s and certainly have the feeling of my shouders being pushed forward and inward, but then again, I dont daily driver the car or take long trips in it so I probably wouldnt notice the same things you do.

kenji815 · 03-19-2008, 10:03 AM

i love my bride cuga.. i actually have less back pain driving long distance in my bride seat vs stock seat.

STIfrog · 03-19-2008, 01:04 PM

I have Recaro Speeds, my back does start to hurt, but not until several hours of seat time have been logged. I went on a spirited/twisties drive that lasted ~3 hours with an hour freeway commute each way...and it wasn't until I got home that my back started to bother me.

The stock seats hurt my back after about 30 minutes.

6'2" 195lbs fwiw...

Peleg · 03-19-2008, 01:10 PM

Evo seats for the win!

***austinpike*** · 03-19-2008, 01:30 PM

I had Corbeau seats in my old Miata for awhile, the problem is, even with a reclining back, they tend to hold you in one position. For long drives I think you need to be able to shift around at least a little bit

Dr.Chris · 03-19-2008, 01:31 PM

Any abnormal posture can contribute to neck/upper back pain. These 5 pillows at night are killing you! If you are lying on your side there should be just enough there to keep your neck straight. If you are lying on your back with 5 pillows under your head, this is causing more problems than your seats ever could.
You did mention that your shoulders are being pushed forward. This won't cause as much problem as your head being forward but this could be contributing to the problem. What do you do all day? Do you sit at a desk? This could be causing problems too. You need to see a chiropractor in your area that specializes in restoring posture. check Chiropractic Biophysics Online a.k.a. Clinical Biomechanics of Posture, Developed by Don Harrison, DC PhD, MSE, and Deed Harrision, DC for a CBP doctor in your area, and he/she can come up with the proper solution for you.

Mayhem13 · 03-19-2008, 07:10 PM

evo mr recaro's are super comfy imho, from the few that i've sat in.. I have a bride ZetaIII ( not ideal for someone of your proportions-I'm 5'5" btw) but its sooooo much more comfortable then the stocker, and i have a lot of back and shoulder problems too. I live in NJ but go to school in CT and my back never hurts from the drive anymore...

I'm going to bride Gias tho soon, as they are super super nice and really easy on my back

KiR DieseL · 03-19-2008, 07:13 PM

Since i switched over to Brides all my pain with the stock seats are now gone.... I did have pain when i first got the seat though until my body got used to it.

Its like buying a new mattress

lunatictokyo · 03-19-2008, 07:43 PM

i had all sort of back pain with the stock seats .. until i swapped it out for the prodrive sparco fixed back bucket seat ... best mod i did for my car

NewShockerGuy · 03-20-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Chris

Any abnormal posture can contribute to neck/upper back pain. These 5 pillows at night are killing you! If you are lying on your side there should be just enough there to keep your neck straight. If you are lying on your back with 5 pillows under your head, this is causing more problems than your seats ever could.
You did mention that your shoulders are being pushed forward. This won't cause as much problem as your head being forward but this could be contributing to the problem. What do you do all day? Do you sit at a desk? This could be causing problems too. You need to see a chiropractor in your area that specializes in restoring posture. check Chiropractic Biophysics Online a.k.a. Clinical Biomechanics of Posture, Developed by Don Harrison, DC PhD, MSE, and Deed Harrision, DC for a CBP doctor in your area, and he/she can come up with the proper solution for you.

hmmm, I sorta like to be propped up at night.. but I do see how this could be a problem with my neck being ****ed up.

I used to work retail so I was ALWAYS running around ..etc. I'm not a sys admin so I pretty much sit at a desk most of the day and I also noticed that staring my monitors looking down at them has caused fatige as well.

I have always been weiry of chiropractors as it seems too easy for me to have them pull on something and then your screwed...lol But that is probably over thinking it..lol

I will check out what is available near my work, they will pay for it so I guess it doesn't matter how many times I go..etc. :-)

Thanks,
-Nigel

xxINKxx · 03-23-2008, 04:46 PM

For the medium/larger build guys who like the stock STi sized seats:

JIC magic seats...There like the most underrated seat that noone ever talks about...Freaking COMMMFYYYY, im picking up a set from my buddy who used to work for and is sponsored by JIC

There only 640$ and are basically the same seat as a Bride Euro II, but wraped in real black or red alcantara

JIC Magic - Reclinable Racing Seat

addicted1 · 03-25-2008, 06:04 PM

nice INK, have any pictures? Do they seat you lower than stock I'm guessing? How much are the brackets and rails for the JIC?

DwagSTI06 · 03-25-2008, 08:46 PM

i like those.

xxINKxx · 03-25-2008, 10:50 PM

im not sure..the brackets from JIC are kinda pricey (240$) so im gunna look into a different option/universal brackets maybe...i have a wholesale account with JIC also so im gunna see what price i can get with myh discount, or see if my buddy who used to work for them can get them for even cheaper

they sit a tiny bit lower, but im not sure how much... But 10x's more comfy and hold you in ALOT better than the stock STi seats, after comparing them back to back, the STi seats feel like crap...I cant wait to get them installed

03-19-2008, 09:14 AM	#1
NewShockerGuy The Next Petter Solberg Car: 05' STI Fav Mod: Defi gauges, or TXS TBE or JDM sidemarkers...arg! Location: FairFax VA Posts: 928 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? I've always like the stock sti seats as far as looks... When I first got my sti back in 05 they were not bad to me... until I sat in my friends evo and was like "wow, this is how a seat should hold you" I live in VA but my parents live in PA so needless to say I drive back and forth quite a bit.. the stock sti seats always always always hurt my ass and my lower back after 4 hrs of driving. Last august for my Bday when I went back up to PA I bought seats off a member. Recaro SRD's. They are super tight and I love it. I am 6'1" about 145lbs... so I am pretty tall and thin. Seats felt great and actually held me in place. Recently I am noticing that my upper shoulders and neck hurt. Honestly I don't know if the seats are the cause or if it's me sleeping at night with 5 pillows..lol But I took note today of the bolstering and when I sit in the seat the should bolsters actually move my shoulder forward when I sit into the seat, where the stock seats did not do this. IE: Sit in the stock seat and move your upper body left and right and you can move or "wobble" left and right... the SRDs you can't do this.. or at least I can't.. (which is nice because you don't slide) Has anyone had a problem like this or am I over thinking it? I like that the should bolsters and waist/leg bolstering is nice and tight but I am wondering if this is causing the pain on my neck since it's push my shoulders forward a little. Think of someone standing behind you and then holding your shoulders with their hands then slightly pushing them forward to squeeze... I'll try and sleep with less pillows to see if that might be a cause as well...lol Thanks, -Nigel This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-19-2008, 09:23 AM	#2
ESmooth STI Driver Car: 06 Stage 2 STI Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 264 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? I could see how that might be the case. I just installed my Sparco EVO2s and certainly have the feeling of my shouders being pushed forward and inward, but then again, I dont daily driver the car or take long trips in it so I probably wouldnt notice the same things you do.

03-19-2008, 10:03 AM	#3
kenji815 Senior STI Driver Car: 2005 CGM WRX Fav Mod: Body kit ? Location: California Posts: 315 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? i love my bride cuga.. i actually have less back pain driving long distance in my bride seat vs stock seat.

03-19-2008, 01:04 PM	#4
STIfrog STI Driver Car: 06 STI Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 226 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? I have Recaro Speeds, my back does start to hurt, but not until several hours of seat time have been logged. I went on a spirited/twisties drive that lasted ~3 hours with an hour freeway commute each way...and it wasn't until I got home that my back started to bother me. The stock seats hurt my back after about 30 minutes. 6'2" 195lbs fwiw...

03-19-2008, 01:10 PM	#5
Peleg STI Guru Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Whooshing sounds Location: NorCal Posts: 5,817 Join Date: Nov 2003 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? Evo seats for the win!

03-19-2008, 01:30 PM	#6
*austinpike* Platinum Member Car: 2oo5 cgm STi Location: MN Posts: 1,925 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? I had Corbeau seats in my old Miata for awhile, the problem is, even with a reclining back, they tend to hold you in one position. For long drives I think you need to be able to shift around at least a little bit

03-19-2008, 01:31 PM	#7
Dr.Chris Amateur STI Driver Posts: 14 Join Date: May 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? Any abnormal posture can contribute to neck/upper back pain. These 5 pillows at night are killing you! If you are lying on your side there should be just enough there to keep your neck straight. If you are lying on your back with 5 pillows under your head, this is causing more problems than your seats ever could. You did mention that your shoulders are being pushed forward. This won't cause as much problem as your head being forward but this could be contributing to the problem. What do you do all day? Do you sit at a desk? This could be causing problems too. You need to see a chiropractor in your area that specializes in restoring posture. check Chiropractic Biophysics Online a.k.a. Clinical Biomechanics of Posture, Developed by Don Harrison, DC PhD, MSE, and Deed Harrision, DC for a CBP doctor in your area, and he/she can come up with the proper solution for you.

03-19-2008, 07:10 PM	#8
Mayhem13 Senior STI Driver Car: 05 STi Fav Mod: Bride Location: New Jersey Posts: 341 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? evo mr recaro's are super comfy imho, from the few that i've sat in.. I have a bride ZetaIII ( not ideal for someone of your proportions-I'm 5'5" btw) but its sooooo much more comfortable then the stocker, and i have a lot of back and shoulder problems too. I live in NJ but go to school in CT and my back never hurts from the drive anymore... I'm going to bride Gias tho soon, as they are super super nice and really easy on my back

03-19-2008, 07:13 PM	#9
KiR DieseL Silver Member Car: Aspen White 06 STi Fav Mod: Teh Mature Diffuser Will Return! Location: Queens NYC Posts: 2,681 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? Since i switched over to Brides all my pain with the stock seats are now gone.... I did have pain when i first got the seat though until my body got used to it. Its like buying a new mattress

03-19-2008, 07:43 PM	#10
lunatictokyo Junior STI Driver Posts: 162 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? i had all sort of back pain with the stock seats .. until i swapped it out for the prodrive sparco fixed back bucket seat ... best mod i did for my car

03-23-2008, 04:46 PM	#12
xxINKxx Senior STI Driver Car: 07' STi - Stg 2 1/2 Fav Mod: Too many to choose from Location: Behind the Orange Curtian Posts: 386 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? For the medium/larger build guys who like the stock STi sized seats: JIC magic seats...There like the most underrated seat that noone ever talks about...Freaking COMMMFYYYY, im picking up a set from my buddy who used to work for and is sponsored by JIC There only 640$ and are basically the same seat as a Bride Euro II, but wraped in real black or red alcantara JIC Magic - Reclinable Racing Seat

03-25-2008, 06:04 PM	#13
addicted1 STI Driver Car: 07 Subaru WRX STI Fav Mod: Prodrive RB320 Suspension Location: Maryland Posts: 204 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? nice INK, have any pictures? Do they seat you lower than stock I'm guessing? How much are the brackets and rails for the JIC?

03-25-2008, 08:46 PM	#14
DwagSTI06 Amateur STI Driver Car: White 06 WRX STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 34 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? i like those.

03-25-2008, 10:50 PM	#15
xxINKxx Senior STI Driver Car: 07' STi - Stg 2 1/2 Fav Mod: Too many to choose from Location: Behind the Orange Curtian Posts: 386 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Aftermarket seats... backpains/neckpains anyone? im not sure..the brackets from JIC are kinda pricey (240$) so im gunna look into a different option/universal brackets maybe...i have a wholesale account with JIC also so im gunna see what price i can get with myh discount, or see if my buddy who used to work for them can get them for even cheaper they sit a tiny bit lower, but im not sure how much... But 10x's more comfy and hold you in ALOT better than the stock STi seats, after comparing them back to back, the STi seats feel like crap...I cant wait to get them installed This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.