I know this subject had come very often, but i got a good deal on a driver's side FD seat, i'm in the process of finding the passenger side one. But, i know it needs some custom fitting to fit them in a FB. I know some of you guys have done it. My question is for you, what do i have to do to make them fit right ? I have the FD rails, and as well the rails from the 2nd gen seats that i have in my car!

 

i know rotary emotions has done it !

 

Costum rails, but they do fit.

 

Please post pics when you're done because I'd love to see it. I was thinking about doing the same thing sometime.

 

No problem, i'll post pics when the seats will be installed. I need to find the passenger one now... I paid 125$ CDN for the driver's side, from a 94. It's near Mint condition, it's a pretty good deal

 

it shouldnt be hard at all, a turbo2 seat will fit fine with the stock fb rails on there. Ive read that fd and fc seats are interchangeable too. you might have to do some grinding but it should bolt in fine.

 

No, FD seats seats are not a bolt in at all. But they DO look nice in an FB.

 

Ok, I have hands on experience, so I'll try to help!
First of all: they are NOT interchangeable as such!!!
Unfortuneatly I didn't take pics of the work done to fit FD seats into my 1982 Mariah Mode 1.
I had FC seats in before, but decided to go custom trimmed FD seats. We started with cloth FD seats, as they were cheaper and would get covered anyway. The seats came at over 400 dollars, so you know what I mean with "cheaper"... (leathers go for 1000 euro/set)
They were disassambled completely, and the cloth was removed, until only the internal parts were left. I'm only saying all this to let you see all the stuff we did, of course it's not needed to retrim them. They were re-upholstered in red/black artificial leather, and the installed.
here's a thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...k&pagenumber=1
There are some pics on the 2nd and third page. And a write up, about installing the seats. Most is about the paintjob though. But at least you'll be able to get some info.
Basicly I did this: use the FB rails (FD rails do not fit at all), and some steel strip. Weld a frame from that strip material (I used 3mm thick steel) so you can fit the seats on the frame, and the rails. I welded the FB rails to the frame, for secure and safe fit (and less bolts) and simply bolted the FD seat to the frame.
That's for the drivers seat, and it's fairly straight forward (square frame, just make sure you measure perfectly). The passengers seat is another story though. I again made the same frame. But because of the transmission tunnel being wider here (exhaust), the stock seatrail is mounted under an angle, this cannot be done with the FD seats. My solution was a rail on the outer side, but a solid mount on the inner side (seat does no longer slide back-forward anymore) To do this, a strip of steel had to be welded on to connect to the inner front stud that is used to mount the stock rail.
Also in the back (innerside) a strip had to be welded on, this time under an angle. It's all rather difficult to explain. I remember I posted a simple drawing once, but I can't find it anymore. I'll do another one later today, that's easier then text.
And try to read the thread I posted, it might come in handy. If your serious about installing the seats, don't hessitate to PM me. I'll be glad to help if I can.

 

Thanks a lot Rotary Emotions, i'll PM you when i'll start the work.

 

ok fine they arnt a "bolt in" but putting any seat in requires work and then you can "bolt it in"

 

I'll have all the winter to fit them right!

 

the problem is, who is gonna make the job lol, i have to find a guy who makes steel ?

 

All you do is getting some strip steel. Like 30mm wide, 2 or 3 mm thick. Angled (L-shaped) would be stronger, but there's no space. You cut them to size, with a simple hacksaw. I can't remember the measurments anymore, but it ain't difficult. You weld four strips together, and drill the holes for the seat-bolts. You then weld or bolt the rails on. The problem is that for the passengerseat you'll have to test-fit to make sure the two brackets (as described earlier) are on the right spot. And the really stupid part: you'll have to install the passengerframe/rail first, and then bolt in the seat, from below. Sounds nice? It's a ballbreaker, and I HATE to take the seats out. But they look SOOOOOO good.

 

thanks a lot man!

 

you're welcome. don't be as stupid as I was: make sure you take pics, I forgot, and now I have to keep trying to tell people how I've done the frame, while otherway I could just show them (and they'd understand so much easier )