Kirkey Racing Seats Compared: Ultra-Light Aluminum Shells for Easy Transport

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Selecting an aluminum competition bucket requires balancing driver containment, cockpit clearance, and weight efficiency. Traveling racers who frequently pack haulers, move chassis between shops, and swap seats need shells that provide structural rigidity without bulky fiberglass framing or excessive mass. This kirkey racing seats comparison focuses on lightweight, durable seating solutions designed specifically for door slammers, pro street cars, and dedicated drag vehicles where every pound and cubic inch of cabin space counts.

The Kirkey product line featured here splits into two categories: the 55 Series Aluminum Pro Street Drag line and the 16 Series Economy Drag line, complemented by dedicated modular upholstery. The 55 Series models utilize 0.100-inch thick 5052 grade aluminum with full perimeter extrusion and reinforced headrests, offered in hip widths ranging from 16 to 18.5 inches. Meanwhile, the 16 Series models deliver minimal package weights around ten pounds with built-in layback angles. Understanding these distinct series, shell widths, and padding options ensures you invest in the correct seat for your vehicle layout and transport requirements.

Kirkey Racing Seats Lineup at a Glance

The Models in Detail

Kirkey 55170 55 Series Aluminum Pro

Best for: Medium-build drag and pro street drivers

The Kirkey 55170 55 Series Aluminum Pro is engineered for door slammers, pro street cars, and drag competition where solid driver containment is paramount. Fabricated from MIG and TIG welded .100-inch thick 5052 grade aluminum, this shell features an offset aluminum extrusion running around the perimeter for added strength and structural safety. Providing a 17-inch hip width, it represents the standard mid-size choice in the kirkey 55 series aluminum pro family. When planning a tight cockpit layout, drivers setting up steering columns and driver reach often benchmark their geometry against home simulation setups like a thrustmaster steering wheel xbox rig before locking down their permanent metal bracket positions. The seat includes a reinforced headrest and carries a 30-day manufacturer warranty under part number 55170.

This model serves medium-build drag racers who require dependable lateral support without excessive cockpit interference. Its bare metal exterior handles the rigors of frequent hauler loading, resisting impacts that could crack composite alternatives. The reinforced headrest structure protects upper torso alignment under aggressive track deceleration, while the offset perimeter lip provides a solid handhold when lifting the seat during chassis maintenance. However, if your chassis features a cramped transmission tunnel or restrictive roll cage door bars, the 17-inch hip measurement may fit too tightly against the interior tinwork, making the narrower 16-inch 55160 a better option. For larger competitors, the 55170 gives way to the broader 18.5-inch 55185.

Kirkey 55185 55 Series Aluminum Pro

Best for: Broad-frame drivers needing reinforced support

Serving as the updated replacement for the older 41 Series, the Kirkey 55185 55 Series Aluminum Pro provides expanded accommodations with an 18.5-inch hip width and a 21-inch overall seat width. Engineered for drag cars, door slammers, and pro street machines, it incorporates an offset aluminum extrusion around the perimeter for added strength and safety. The front of the seat is raised to offer enhanced leg and thigh support during hard launches, while molded rubber inserts are factory-installed across all belt apertures. The shell comes standard with double shoulder belt openings and sub belt openings to support various multi-point harness systems.

A key design feature of the kirkey 55185 is its contoured seat bottom, which allows the bucket to be mounted across a wide range of layback angles without elevating the vehicle center of gravity. This model suits broad-frame racers who need generous hip room without sacrificing containment. Because it measures 21 inches across, it requires sufficient cabin clearance between the transmission tunnel and door bars. The bare aluminum shell requires cover 910-5518511 (sold separately). In narrow cockpits where clearance is restricted, this broad shell gives way to the 55170 or 55160.

Kirkey 55160 55 Series Aluminum Pro

Best for: Narrow-frame drivers in tight cockpits

The Kirkey 55160 55 Series Aluminum Pro is built specifically for compact race cockpits, offering a 16-inch hip width and a trim 19.5-inch total seat width. Formed from MIG and TIG welded .100-inch thick 5052 grade aluminum, this shell delivers structural stiffness for door slammers, pro street cars, and drag machines. An offset perimeter aluminum extrusion reinforces the shell edges, while an integrated headrest provides mandatory upper-body support. The unit includes a 30-day manufacturer warranty and is listed under part number 55160.

For mobile race teams, the modest 19.5-inch profile makes the kirkey 55160 easy to maneuver through door bars, transport in support trucks, and install into cramped floorboards. Sim racers adapting competition equipment to next level racing cockpits also find that narrow aluminum shells fit their compact metal chassis without overhang. This seat is ideal for slender drivers seeking a snug, secure fit. However, it offers little leeway for wider hips, giving way to the 17-inch 55170 or 18.5-inch 55185 for drivers requiring more room.

Kirkey 5518511 55 Series Pro Street

Best for: Kirkey 55185 owners wanting padded tweed

The Kirkey 5518511 55 Series Pro Street is a dedicated upholstered cover tailored specifically for the 18.5-inch hip width 55 Series seat (part number 570-55185). Made from durable black tweed cloth, this fully padded quilted cover provides essential vibration damping and driver comfort across the metal shell. Listed with a light item weight of 2.9 pounds, it adds minimal mass to your competition setup while shielding the driver from raw aluminum edges and surface temperature extremes.

This modular cover is an excellent asset for traveling racers. It can be unfastened quickly and stowed in a dry duffel bag during open-trailer transport or dusty pit maintenance, keeping the seating surface clean. The breathable tweed cloth resists tear damage while holding the driver comfortably in place. Because this product is strictly an upholstery cover, it is intended only for owners of the 55185 aluminum shell; it cannot function on its own and will not properly fit the 16-inch or 17-inch versions, which require their own tailored dimensions.

Kirkey 16400 Seat

Best for: Narrow-cabin drag racing racers

The Kirkey 16400 Seat serves as an ultra-compact lightweight aluminum drag seat from the kirkey 16 series economy drag line. Featuring a narrow 15-1/2 inch hip width, this seat is built for tight vehicle cabins and lightweight drag racing applications. The listing specifies package dimensions of 16.0 inches high, 33.0 inches long, and 25.0 inches wide, with a shipping weight of 10.325 pounds (and an item weight spec noted as 0.27 grams). The product includes a 30-day manufacturer warranty under part number 16400.

This economy shell relies on separate clip-on seat covers, utilizing part numbers 570-16401, 570-16411, or 570-16417. It suits grassroots drag racers running small door slammers or import drag chassis where tunnel clearance is severely constrained. Racing enthusiasts assembling custom simulators with a logitech wheel and pedals and shifter also use lightweight shells like the 16400 for a realistic, portable seating setup. However, the 15.5-inch hip space is very tight, so drivers with average or large builds will need to step up to the 16800 or the 55 Series models.

Kirkey 16800 Seat

Best for: Grassroots racers requiring 20-degree layback

The Kirkey 16800 Seat is a 16 Series Economy Drag model that incorporates a 17-1/2 inch width and an integrated 20-degree layback angle. Manufactured from bare aluminum with a natural finish, this seat is designed for vehicle-specific drag installations where a reclined posture is necessary to gain helmet clearance beneath low roll cages. Shipped as a single unit, the package measures 72.898 centimeters high, 56.388 centimeters long, and 62.738 centimeters wide, with a package weight of 10.325 pounds.

The 10.325-pound package weight makes the kirkey 16800 effortless to handle when loading haulers, moving parts around the shop, or transferring seats between track chassis. The listing specifies that this seat requires a hook-style cover to complete the installation. It is ideal for grassroots drag racers who want a relaxed 20-degree layback and standard 17.5-inch width. However, it lacks the .100-inch 5052 aluminum, full perimeter offset extrusions, and molded belt grommets found on the 55 Series, making the 55170 the better choice for pro street competitors requiring maximum containment.

Matching a Model to Your Setup

• Tight drag cockpits and narrow tunnels: The Kirkey 55160 provides a slender 19.5-inch overall footprint and 16-inch hip width to clear restricted transmission tunnels.
• Standard door slammer builds with average-frame drivers: The Kirkey 55170 balances a 17-inch hip dimension with heavy-duty 5052 grade aluminum and full perimeter extrusion reinforcement.
• Broad-frame racers needing extra thigh support: The Kirkey 55185 features an 18.5-inch hip width, 21-inch total width, and a raised front base for sustained leg comfort.
• Modular padding for 18.5-inch shells: The Kirkey 5518511 provides a 2.9-pound quilted tweed cover that removes easily for breezy transport and post-race cleaning.
• Low rooflines requiring reclined posture: The Kirkey 16800 delivers a 20-degree layback angle with a 17.5-inch width to maximize helmet clearance under low roll cages.
• Minimalist, narrow economy chassis: The Kirkey 16400 offers an ultra-compact 15.5-inch hip width and clip-on cover compatibility for lightweight drag projects.

Before You Buy

When deciding which kirkey racing seat to buy, note that Kirkey bare aluminum shells do not include mounting brackets, seat back braces, or installation hardware in the box. The product listings provide the bare metal shell or individual cover only. You will need to source or fabricate custom mounting brackets suited to your floor pan and roll cage architecture. Most sanctioning organizations also mandate an adjustable rear seat back support attached to the roll bar for aluminum racing seats, which must be planned and acquired separately.

Upholstery is another key factor omitted from the bare shells. As outlined across the 55 Series and 16 Series listings, shells like the 55185, 16400, and 16800 require separately purchased covers to ensure driver comfort and prevent skin contact with bare metal. Furthermore, when assessing kirkey drag seat sizing, always take hip measurements while wearing your complete driving suit and racing gear, as multi-layer safety apparel can easily add an inch to your required seating width.

FAQ

How do you measure your body for kirkey drag seat sizing?

Sit on a flat, solid bench with your legs positioned as if operating your car’s pedals. Place two straight edges against the widest points of your hips and thighs, then measure the distance between them. Always perform this measurement wearing your complete multi-layer racing suit, as thick Nomex fabric expands your seated width by half an inch to a full inch. Choose the seat width that meets or slightly exceeds this dimension.

What is the structural difference between the Kirkey 55 Series and 16 Series?

The 55 Series seats feature MIG and TIG welded .100-inch thick 5052 grade aluminum, reinforced headrests, molded rubber belt inserts, and offset perimeter extrusions for increased rigidity. The 16 Series Economy Drag seats utilize a lighter, more basic aluminum construction with built-in layback angles, using clip-on or hook-style covers without the heavy perimeter extrusion or molded belt grommets of the 55 Series.

Do Kirkey racing seats come with mounting brackets or hardware?

No, the listings indicate that Kirkey seats include only the main seat shell or cover as described. Mounting brackets, floor bolts, and rear roll cage support braces are not included and must be sourced separately based on your specific vehicle and chassis rules.

Can you safely run a Kirkey aluminum seat without an upholstery cover?

While physically possible, running a bare aluminum shell is not recommended. Bare metal transfers chassis vibrations, provides no impact cushioning, and rapidly absorbs cabin heat or cold. Installing an upholstery cover such as the Kirkey 5518511 or a matching clip-on cover provides essential quilted padding and protects driving suits from wear against metal edges.

How much do Kirkey economy drag seats weigh for transport?

The manufacturer listings state that both the Kirkey 16400 and Kirkey 16800 economy drag seats have a package shipping weight of approximately 10.325 pounds. This light weight makes them very easy to handle, unbolt, and pack into trailers or haulers when traveling between race tracks.

Side by side

The 6 models above, lined up on the attributes that every one of them publishes, plus the figures Amazon lists for all of them. Ratings are the average score left by Amazon buyers, not a score from this site.

Attribute	01 55170 55 Series Aluminum Pro	02 55185 55 Series Aluminum Pro	03 55160 55 Series Aluminum Pro	04 5518511 55 Series Pro Street	05 16400 Seat	06 16800 Seat
Buyer ratingaverage left by Amazon buyers	4.2/5	4.3/5	4.9/5	4.3/5	4.2/5	4.1/5
Dimensions	18 x 18 x 36 Inches	42 x 21 x 20 Inches	18 x 17 x 36 Inches	18.5 x 19 x 6.5 inches	40.25 x 16 x 14.5 inches	33 x 25 x 18 inches

Attributes that only some of the models publish are left out of this table; they stay in each model’s own spec sheet above.