Help me decide on a car!

**dpert1** · August 16, 2013, 06:20 AM

So with the long list of options and such I would like to begin narrowing down what Atom I should be looking for. My main purpose would be to daily drive it as much as possible with occational track musings. The focus is really on street driving though. I guess I'll start with my must have's:
Windsheild
Padded seats
Road Race Lighting kit

Other than that, I am kind of lost as to 1) Which model to go after and 2) which other options would be great to get or nessissary to get. If I can retrofit sparco or some type of race seat on the 3 that would be ok, but I'm not sure if this is possible. Also not sure how easily the windsheild can be retrofitted on the 2.

Any advice is welcome! Thanks all!

**Mattnshilp** · August 16, 2013, 06:45 AM

Hi. I was in the same boat 2 months ago...

I just purchased an Atom 2 with retrofitted windshield, supercharged Chevy Cobalt engine, adjustable suspension, Recarro seats and all the necessary fixes needed to correct the 2's issues. Insured through Rally. The one I got was owned by an active member here and was well maintained, well prepared and very loved.

I drive mine on street only. I think that other then the legally necessary lighting package, the windshield, adjustable shocks and a comfortable seat are the three biggest options. It's a rough ride for everyday driving, but awesome for everything else. I am in the process of working on the suspension right now to help that issue.

There are issues with retrofitting a windshield to a 2 that are not an issue on the 3. Not major issues, but issues. But the Recarro seats (or equivalent) are a must on the street. I think there are no similar seat options for the 3, although I am not sure of that.

I'll pm you my phone # so we can talk about other issues as well..

**dpert1** · August 17, 2013, 09:18 AM

I've been talking a great deal offline with silver and I am pretty set on a Brammo. From what I understand they are the only version that has the ability (frame support) for individual seat upgrades. As long as a windshield is an easy retrofit (seems to be from talking with a few sources) I think this is my goal.

I dont have an issue with a stiff ride, I daily drove a lotus elise for 3 years and got pretty used to race suspension. I just want seat comfort and a windscreen. Also leaning towards a supercharger.

The input I'd like to find out from owners is if anyone considers the 5speed brammo gearbox a disadvantage in comparison with the 6speed honda gearbox. Also would like some opinions on the supercharger option, if its worth going after, how easy an upgrade would be from NA, how easy the front mount cooler is to fix heatsoak...

Is there any major benefit to getting a 3 or a honda 2 that would outweigh the versatile seating options on a brammo?

**bolus** · August 17, 2013, 09:32 AM

dont knock the fiberglass seat until you try it. When Darth and I drove from Portland to Oklahoma in 2007 he had the fiberglass seat and felt it was quite comfortable for all 5000 miles of his trip. It's not great for short people like me though. I could not even see over his steering wheel sitting in his car.

They also do make individual fiberglass seats for the Atom 3 and I think an upgrade to aftermarket carbon fiber ones are available.

You wont find a used Atom 2 (brammo made) without a supercharger. I dont think one was ever produced. I doubt you would have an opinion one way or another over the 5 or 6 speed. Unless you have very long straights on your track, you wont probably see 5th or 6 gear anyway. That's just for highway cruising.

**dpert1** · August 17, 2013, 10:22 AM

I like the looks of race seats a lot better than the fiberglass bench, and they have GOT to be more comfortable. I unfortunatly dont really have the luxury of a test drive here in afghanistan, lol.

**Norm** · August 17, 2013, 12:33 PM

Again don't knock the bench seat, I find it more comfortable and you do sit a couple of inches lower

**Terry Kennedy** · August 17, 2013, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Norm

Again don't knock the bench seat, I find it more comfortable and you do sit a couple of inches lower

To be fair, I think you have the "special version for Norm" bench seat.

It is a matter of personal preference which type of seat you like best. I have the Recaro seats in my Atom (and a new-in-box spare pair in case I ever need one).

The bench seat is better for people with wider posteriors. I have the optional pads in my Recaros to lift me a little higher in the "U" shape of the seat. Without the pads, it is really uncomfortable. I tried the bench seat when I was at Brammo doing the final specs on my car, and I kept hitting the weird hump between the seats with my elbow when shifting. I believe Brammo subsequently made the hump smaller.

I've seen many pictures of various versions of individual seats from Ariel UK and a few from TMI. I don't think I'd be comfortable in any of them. Then again, my 300 to 600 miles in a day is rather outside the mainstream for an Atom.

The Brammo Recaro / Sparco seats have the advantage of being quickly adjustable if you change drivers (the classic bench seat is "adjustable" if you have a socket set and some patience).