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Are Recaro Seats And Sparco Mounts Compatible?
Seat fitting guide
It is one of the questions we are asked most: can a Recaro seat go on Sparco runners, a Sparco sub-frame or Sparco side mounts? The short answer is no. The two brands use different bolt patterns, and the holes simply do not line up.
This guide explains the two patterns, why you cannot mix them, and how we fit a Recaro seat properly: on a Planted Technology bracket with runners made for Recaro's pattern.
- Recaro base mounted seats use a 405mm wide bolt pattern
- Sparco base mounted seats use 345mm by 271mm, measured hole centre to hole centre
- A Recaro seat will not bolt to Sparco runners or frames without modification
- We fit base mounted Recaro seats on Planted Technology brackets
- Recaro and Corbeau fittings are not compatible with each other either
What is on this page
Why bolt patterns matter
A base mounted seat has four bolt holes underneath, and the distance between them is its bolt pattern. It is measured from the centre of one bolt hole to the centre of the next, across the seat for the width and front to back for the length. Everything under the seat, whether that is a sub-frame, a bracket or a pair of sliding runners, has to match that pattern exactly.
Most seat makers settle on one pattern and build their runners and frames around it. That makes it easy to stay within one brand, and it is why mixing brands is where fitting problems start.
| Brand | Width | Length | Measured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recaro | 405mm | Varies by seat, measure yours | Hole centre to hole centre |
| Sparco | 345mm | 271mm | Hole centre to hole centre |
Base mounted seat bolt patterns.
Why a Recaro will not go on Sparco mounts
Recaro base mounted seats are 405mm across. Sparco’s pattern is 345mm by 271mm, so a Sparco runner or sub-frame is 60mm too narrow for a Recaro seat. We do not recommend adapter plates or drilling new holes in a frame or runner: that is the part that holds you in the car in an accident. The same is true the other way round: a Sparco seat will not sit on Recaro runners.
For the length, Recaro’s front to back spacing is not the same on every seat, so measure the one you have before you order anything. Recaro and Corbeau fittings are not compatible with each other either, so a Corbeau frame is not an answer for a Recaro seat.
The answer: a Planted Technology bracket
For a base mounted Recaro seat we use Planted Technology brackets, which take it straight on. Each Planted bracket is made for one car, bolts to the factory seat mounting points and is made from 3/16 inch steel. Planted drill their brackets with slots for the runners of many seat makers, Recaro included, so the Recaro pattern lines up without any modification.
The stack goes bracket to the floor, runners to the bracket, then the seat on the runners. For the runners, use a pair made for Recaro’s 405mm pattern: Recaro’s own double locking runners, or the Endurance Motorsport Recaro compatible runner kit. Planted brackets are handed, so you need one for each side of the car.
![Planted Technology BMW 3 & 4 Series / M3 & M4 [F30 / F31 / F32 / F33 / F34 / F36 / F80 / F82 / F83 Chassis] (2011+) Seat Bracket](https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/SB223DR-2-300x300.jpg)
![Planted Technology BMW 3 & 4 Series / M3 & M4 [F30 / F31 / F32 / F33 / F34 / F36 / F80 / F82 / F83 Chassis] (2011+) Seat Bracket image 2](https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/SB223PA-2-300x300.jpg)
You can find the bracket for your car on our Planted Technology page. For a worked example with a popular Recaro seat, our guide to fitting Recaro SR seats in a UK car goes through it step by step.
Side mounted Recaro seats
Everything above is about base mounted seats. Side mounted bucket seats, the kind used in motorsport, bolt through the sides of the shell into side mounts, and those mounts then fit to a frame or runners. It is a different system with its own rules.
Recaro’s competition shells, such as the Pole Position and Profi SPG, go on Recaro’s own side mounts. Recaro treat the seat and its side mounts as one homologated system, so if you race, keep the Recaro mounts with the Recaro seat. Garreth’s advice for any side mounted seat is to send us the car and the exact seat, and we will put the whole stack together for you.
Can I fit a Recaro seat on Sparco runners?
No. Recaro seats are 405mm across and Sparco runners are made for 345mm, so the holes do not line up.
What is the Sparco bolt pattern?
Sparco base mounted seats use 345mm by 271mm, measured from hole centre to hole centre.
What bracket should I use for a Recaro seat?
We fit base mounted Recaro seats on Planted Technology brackets, with runners made for Recaro’s pattern.
Can a Recaro seat go on a Corbeau frame?
No. Recaro and Corbeau fittings are not compatible with each other.
Do side mounted Recaro seats use Sparco side mounts?
No. Recaro competition seats go on Recaro side mounts, which Recaro homologate with the seat.
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How we fit a RecaroPlanted bracket, Recaro runners
A bracket made for your car and runners made for the 405mm pattern, with no drilling.
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