2 Question Post - Seats and Cruise Control

[PNWTim]

Hey everyone, hoping for some feed back on these two subjects.

DBW Cruise Control - I am interested in adding cruise control to my Coyote powered Daytona. There are a few suppliers out there with aftermarket kits but nothing really definitive. Curious if anyone has installed one and the pros/cons.

Seats - curious if there is a seat repository like the wheel and tire repository? I don't think so but thought I would ask. I really want to make a great seat selection and have some general parameters in mind but it seems like this is a moving target. I know the Corbeau Evolution has been popular but with the change in seat mounts sounds like it may not be as user friendly now.

I have looked at Sparco, Corbeau, Recaro, Scat, IKON, Braum and Kirkey. There are lots of options and most "seem" as though they would fit but probably have to be fixed back (no room for recliner knob, etc.) and fit within the dimensions and restraint anchor points.

So my ask on this one is this: if there is not repository I would like to create one that is pinned to the Type 65 build forum. If anyone and everyone who has installed seats in their build could please respond with the specific seat type, slider or bracket type and likes/dislikes, I would be happy to assemble at least a collection of information for future builders.

Thanks in advance

[edwardb]

I would love to add cruise control to my Gen 3 Coyote Coupe. But so far haven't found any good options. I'd also be very interested knowing if someone has been successful adding it. Old school aftermarket cruise controls use magnets on the driveshaft and some type of servo motor on the throttle or accelerator pedal. Kind of silly for a computer controlled system. Maybe not even possible. Rostra is a major supplier and even some of the other brands (e.g. the Dakota Digital I put in my truck build) came from them. https://www.rostra.com/custom-drive-...-by-rostra.php. Based on what I've found though the Ford Performance crate motor control pack does not have vehicle speed in the CAN bus. At least I haven't seen in while monitoring the ODB connection. I've heard this from others as well. Appears Ford didn't include this in their aftermarket setup. Note this is for the Gen 2 and Gen 3 control packs. The ones I've had experience with. Maybe the Gen 4 is different? Not surprising I guess since the manual transmission setup doesn't include a speed sensor to the PCM. My LS3 truck build had an automatic transmission with an electronic controller that provided vehicle speed so the DBW cruise worked.

Good luck with the seats. Several have copied the Corbeau seats and mounts that I bought for my Coupe several years ago. Both have changed and don't fit like mine did. Not in a good way either. Maybe you saw this in build threads.

[Indy Shu]

I used one of the rostra kits successfully with my gen3/gen3. Pretty simple harness connection at the gas pedal and magnets on the driveshaft. I’m not at home but could post more details in a couple of days.

[PNWTim]

Paul - thanks for the response. You are correct about the Coyote control pack not supporting it through the CAN bus and I confirmed today it is the same with the Gen 4. It seems odd to me but not to get on a knock Ford bandwagon, it's kind of par for the course. Their statement is the control pack is meant to focus on the performance and functionality of the engine rather than whole vehicle system functionality i.e. cruise control. You can find these for an LS in almost any configuration i.e. automatic, stick, etc. and certainly the Dakota Digital is a premier unit.

I am going to reach out to DD and see if there is a possibility of one in the future that can run off the T56 VSS. Other than the old school methodology your describe above that's going to be about the only option but I am not even sure how that would work unless the data is processed in a head unit from the VSS and then converted to DBW data at the pedal connection? Little bit out of my wheel house.

In regards to seats, I have read every build thread I can find and your are right, the Corbeaus do not appear to be a good fit any longer (no pun intended). It's a bit of an odd situation since something so critical to the driving experience is a bit of an unknown. And the only way to know is to plop down $500 and do a test fit - not the best way to go about it, thus trying to gather as much info as possible.

[PNWTim]

I used one of the rostra kits successfully with my gen3/gen3. Pretty simple harness connection at the gas pedal and magnets on the driveshaft. I’m not at home but could post more details in a couple of days.

Thanks for the response John and any additional would be greatly appreciated! I have seen their kit but was hoping for something a little more integrated into the electronics but if it works then I am all ears. I would be interested to know in the drivability, etc. as well.

[burchfieldb]

I put the Sparco Grid Qs in mine with the fixed seat mounts. I did have to weld in some extra metal on the inside to mount the inside rails, so that I could get the seat more centered on the steering wheel. The space is really tight and I did not find a lot of options. I really like some of the Recaros, but they were too big at the time I was looking.

[PNWTim]

I put the Sparco Grid Qs in mine with the fixed seat mounts. I did have to weld in some extra metal on the inside to mount the inside rails, so that I could get the seat more centered on the steering wheel. The space is really tight and I did not find a lot of options. I really like some of the Recaros, but they were too big at the time I was looking.

Thanks for the feedback. A couple of questions:

Are they comfortable for long drives?
When you say the Recaros were too big, was it a shoulder dimension or down low by the brackets?

Most performance seats seem to be within a half an inch or so in width but it appears there are some very specific deal killers based on the design of the seat.

[Bob Cowan]

I installed cruise control from Cruise Control Store

It works really well, except for one issue: When you turn it on, it surges. Sounds like you quickly and briefly hit the gas pedal. The faster you are going, the more pronounced it is. Very annoying.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they make the switch set I have anymore. Mine is wireless, and is mounted to the steering column.

I wrote up an installation post a while ago: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l-Installation

[PNWTim]

Bob - thanks for the feedback. Curious if you reached out re: the initial surging? I appreciate you including the link and look forward to reading your write up.

[Namrups]

I was one of the first to use the same Corbeau seats that Paul used only to find out that things had changed. I am 5'-10" at 210 lbs. I combined the Corbeau seat, a portion of their slider and the Breeze roadster base unit together. By using the Breeze base unit, the seat gets tilted back lowering the headrest and IMO giving a more comfortable seating position with the ability to use the slider function. The seat does not go all the way back to the rear wall but at my height that's ok. Anyone a little taller will have issues. I find these seats very comfortable. I drove from upstate NY to the London show non-stop (except for gas stops) without comfort issues. That was a nine hour run.

[PNWTim]

I was one of the first to use the same Corbeau seats that Paul used only to find out that things had changed. I am 5'-10" at 210 lbs. I combined the Corbeau seat, a portion of their slider and the Breeze roadster base unit together. By using the Breeze base unit, the seat gets tilted back lowering the headrest and IMO giving a more comfortable seating position with the ability to use the slider function. The seat does not go all the way back to the rear wall but at my height that's ok. Anyone a little taller will have issues. I find these seats very comfortable. I drove from upstate NY to the London show non-stop (except for gas stops) without comfort issues. That was a nine hour run.

Scott - thanks for the feedback and information on the combination of seat and tracks you used. Nine hours is definitely a testament to comfort. I have read your build thread at least once but will review this section to see exactly what you did.

[burchfieldb]

Thanks for the feedback. A couple of questions:

Are they comfortable for long drives?
When you say the Recaros were too big, was it a shoulder dimension or down low by the brackets?

Most performance seats seem to be within a half an inch or so in width but it appears there are some very specific deal killers based on the design of the seat.

The verdict is still out on comfort, I am still in the build process. I am also heavily modifying the seat foam to make the seats heated and cooled.

From what I can recall, I believe they were too wide at the bottom. The seat belt mounts are pretty narrow and can cause fitment problems. I was looking at the Sportster CS seats, so not the race ones. I did trim back the body by the doors to get mine to sit further back. The top width of the seats can also cause problems.

[Rsnake]

I have the Sparco grid Q's in mine and the fit is perfect. Comfort, well that's another story. These are a race seat and come with minimal padding but I have purchased a gel cushion for the bottom and a small lumbar support for the back and have driven 10+ hours in comfort. I have also used the cruise control store for my cruise on the gen 3 coyote and it works perfect but does accelerate when you set it but then slows back to the desired speed. I think it's programmed that way to let you know it's set but just a WAG. I have videos of both the seats and cruise control on my youtube channel
Cobra Daytona Build. Thanks Greg

[PNWTim]

I have the Sparco grid Q's in mine and the fit is perfect. Comfort, well that's another story. These are a race seat and come with minimal padding but I have purchased a gel cushion for the bottom and a small lumbar support for the back and have driven 10+ hours in comfort. I have also used the cruise control store for my cruise on the gen 3 coyote and it works perfect but does accelerate when you set it but then slows back to the desired speed. I think it's programmed that way to let you know it's set but just a WAG. I have videos of both the seats and cruise control on my youtube channel
Cobra Daytona Build. Thanks Greg

Greg - I remember watching your video about the gel cushion but it makes sense. Based on the information I have gathered so far it sounds like a seat must be <20" in bottom width to fit. Did you use the Sparco 600 seat mounts as well?

I missed the video you posted on the cruise control so will check that out.

[Rsnake]

I used a generic amazon seat mount and welded a bar between the mounts so I could move the seat mount fasteners inward so it would be easier to locate the holes as they have been an issue with other builders. I highly recommend the cruise control. The magnets did let go at 160mph though.

[PNWTim]

I used a generic amazon seat mount and welded a bar between the mounts so I could move the seat mount fasteners inward so it would be easier to locate the holes as they have been an issue with other builders. I highly recommend the cruise control. The magnets did let go at 160mph though.

"The magnets did let go at 160mph though"

That's one of the greatest lines I have read in this forum .

Good info on the seat tracks. If there is one thing for sure there is nothing standard in seat selection and mounting.