Installing Sparco Racing Seats In a Subaru WRX – What We Learned
We recently came across a helpful YouTube video from Dustin Williams, where he walks through the process of fitting Sparco Evo II bucket seats into his Subaru WRX. While this video has been out for a while and some of the products shown are no longer available, it still offers a clear and practical guide to seat installation that’s incredibly useful for WRX owners and anyone tackling a similar project. It covers everything from unbolting the factory seats to mounting the new setup and offers great visuals on how everything goes together using Sparco fitting equipment.
What really stood out is how well the seats transformed the WRX’s interior and driving experience. This type of seat swap doesn’t just change how your car looks—it changes how it feels on the road or track. The added support, improved positioning, and firmer bolstering all contribute to a more connected driving experience. Even though the Sparco Evo II seat shown has since been replaced by newer models like the Evo QRT range, the process, parts used, and considerations during the install are all still relevant today. In this blog, we’re going to break it all down and walk you through what you need to know if you’re planning a similar upgrade.
A Closer Look at the Video – Full Install Walkthrough
The YouTube video from Dustin Williams is a detailed and easy-to-follow walk-through of fitting Sparco Evo II bucket seats into a Subaru WRX. It covers every major step of the installation, starting from the removal of the factory seats through to the final fitment of the aftermarket bucket seats, Sparco side mounts, sliding runners, and harnesses. If you’re planning to upgrade your own WRX with racing seats or harnesses, this video is one of the clearest and most practical resources currently online.
What makes this video especially helpful is how it walks viewers through the installation in real time, showing how the fitting equipment comes together and how the seat and harness positioning transforms the driving experience. You also get a before-and-after view of the WRX cockpit—first with the stock seats and belts, and then with the Sparco Evo II seats, harnesses, and a rear harness bar installed. This visual comparison highlights how much more track-ready and focused the car feels after the swap. Even if you’re not using the same seats, the installation flow and fitting approach shown in the video applies to most WRX builds using aftermarket gear. It’s a great reference point for both first-time fitters and experienced modifiers alike.
Seat Spotlight: The Sparco Evo Series
The star of the install was the Sparco Evo II — a now-discontinued model. Fortunately, the current Sparco Evo L QRT is a direct replacement. It has the same dimensions and bolt patterns, but with a newer QRT (Quick Resin Tech) shell that’s lighter and stronger.
Sparco Evo L QRT Key Features:
- FIA 8855-1999 approved for motorsport use
- Lightweight fibreglass shell with QRT manufacturing
- Side-mounted design
- Suitable for drivers with a 34–36 inch waist
- Excellent lateral support with comfortable padding
- Available in velour or weather-resistant Sky vinyl trim
The Install: What We Learned
One of the most helpful parts of the video is the full walkthrough of the installation. It covers removal of the OEM seat, prepping the hardware, and mounting the new Sparco seat.
Key installation takeaways:
- The OEM seat is removed with basic tools — just four 14mm bolts and unplugging the airbag sensor
- The Sparco side mounts control the tilt and height of the seat, depending on the bolting point used
- The sliders needed some adjustment to fit correctly — a reminder that aftermarket seat installs often require small tweaks
- Harness bar and belts were added later, with factory belts retained for road use
The final position of the Evo seat looked snug and driver-focused, with great support and direct road feedback.
Want to Recreate This Setup?
You can absolutely build a similar setup using products available from GSM Performance. While we don’t stock the exact sub-frame used in the video (a discontinued Sparco WRX-specific frame), we do offer a perfect alternative:
Recommended Parts for Subaru WRX Seat Install:
✅ Planted Technology Subaru WRX bracket – A vehicle-specific direct-fit frame that lines up perfectly with factory floor bolt points. It features all major bolt patterns for maximum compatibility.
✅ Sparco FIA Steel Side Mounts – Strong, multi-position mounts that work perfectly with the Evo L QRT and most Sparco bucket seats.
✅ Sparco Sliding Runners – 345mm bolt spacing with full forward/backward adjustment. These attach between your frame and side mounts if adjustability is needed.
✅ Harness Bar + Harnesses – A Sparco or NRG harness bar can provide a solid anchor for 4-point or 6-point harnesses. In the video, black and red Sparco harnesses were used.
This combination gives you a safe, FIA-compliant installation with the option for adjustment and easy bolt-in fitment.
-
From £185.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Installation Tips & Compatibility Notes
This video shows how side mounts let you control the pitch of the seat — front higher than rear for a reclined posture, or flat and upright for a race-focused position. The harness bar install was more involved, requiring some interior trim removal. If you’re retaining your factory seat belts, it’s a good idea to double-check airbag sensors and use resistors if needed to avoid dashboard warnings.
Want to use a slider for adjustability? Place the parts in this order:
- Vehicle-specific sub-frame (like Planted)
- Sliding runner (345mm)
- Seat belt mount (if needed)
- Side mounts
- Sparco seat
Real-World Driving Feedback
After the install, Dustin’s reaction said it all:
“It hugs you like a chair that hugs you… the whole car feels more raw and more connected.”
Even as a daily driver, the upgrade was noticeable. There’s more vibration and road feedback, but the comfort is still there — especially with correct positioning. For a car like the WRX, this kind of upgrade really dials in that track-focused feel.
Final Thoughts – A Worthwhile Upgrade for Your WRX
This YouTube video was a great look into what it’s like to take the plunge and install a Sparco bucket seat in a Subaru WRX. It’s one of the best examples we’ve seen showing real-world fitment and what’s involved in the install.
With the Sparco Evo II now replaced by the Evo L QRT, your options today are even better. Combine that with a Planted Technology frame, Sparco side mounts, and Sparco sliding runners, and you’ve got a well-rounded, track-ready upgrade that transforms your driving experience.
If you’ve got a WRX or another project car and want help building your perfect seating setup, we’re always happy to assist. Drop us a message or visit our showroom to test these seats in person.