1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Seat Conversion for a 79’

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Old May 30, 2020 | 06:43 PM
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Seat Conversion for a 79’

I’ve been looking around for a specific thread but couldn’t come across it. I wanted to know if I wanted to to swap out my original 79’ SA seats to let’s say FB seats, would they bolt right in? Or would I have to do or buy something custom to make it work? Reason why I’d like to swap them out is because I want something more comfortable, these original SA just isn’t cutting it. Thanks!


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Old May 30, 2020 | 07:24 PM
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
yes, any 79-85 seat will bolt right in. the FC seats will bolt in also, except the front right bolt on the driver seat needs to be drilled out (or something, its possible, just been a while)
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Old May 30, 2020 | 09:26 PM
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Okay good to know! Thanks for the heads up 👍🏼
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Old May 31, 2020 | 06:43 AM
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Those seats are in incredible condition!! The only reason I see tonremkve them is to store them to preserve them. The overall interior is so original and perfect, I personally wouldn't touch a thing. That's the cleanest 79 interior that I've seen in a long time!
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Old May 31, 2020 | 08:48 AM
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I agree with the description of condition. Once you replace them if you are interested in selling the original seats I would be interested depending on your location. Great looking interior, is the exterior on the same level. Share a couple of pics.
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Old May 31, 2020 | 02:08 PM
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drdode,
Your seats look to be in beautiful condition and match the interior perfectly. Before you rip them out and put in later seats that probably have the same amount of butt-miles on them...
Go to your local auto upholstery shop. They can replace the foam, replace the springs if necessary, and make them perfect for you. The interior will still look original and your butt and back will be happy!

Last edited by Maxwedge; May 31, 2020 at 02:24 PM.
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Old May 31, 2020 | 02:43 PM
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Agree with Maxwedge. Another thing to consider is headroom. I like the SA seats, and they give me more headroom than any FB seats. Consider reupholstering then with some new foam.
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by mazdaverx713b
Those seats are in incredible condition!! The only reason I see tonremkve them is to store them to preserve them. The overall interior is so original and perfect, I personally wouldn't touch a thing. That's the cleanest 79 interior that I've seen in a long time!

Thanks I got lucky finding this car. If I were to remove them I’d definitely store these.
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 08:15 AM
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Originally Posted by clubfit
I agree with the description of condition. Once you replace them if you are interested in selling the original seats I would be interested depending on your location. Great looking interior, is the exterior on the same level. Share a couple of pics.

I’d have to hold on to the originals, but thanks for the offer. Exterior is in great shape, here are some pics




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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Maxwedge
drdode,
Your seats look to be in beautiful condition and match the interior perfectly. Before you rip them out and put in later seats that probably have the same amount of butt-miles on them...
Go to your local auto upholstery shop. They can replace the foam, replace the springs if necessary, and make them perfect for you. The interior will still look original and your butt and back will be happy!

Thanks I’ll definitely put that in consideration
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by clubfit
Agree with Maxwedge. Another thing to consider is headroom. I like the SA seats, and they give me more headroom than any FB seats. Consider reupholstering then with some new foam.

You have a point, will consider that as well. Thanks
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 10:06 AM
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You could pull the covers and fix the faom as mentioned. The foam and the webbing get really tired after 40 years. Unfortunately there is a risk of damaging the covers on removing or reinstalling them because they will be brittle with age. If you really want better seats, pull these and save them and have another set redone with new foam and upholstery. New foam is not available and would have to be custom made by a shop. Racing Beat has some great covers that you can order to make it look like the originals at a reasonable price.
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 05:00 PM
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Ya those are beauty seats you won't find anything better!

I replaced the foam in my FB seats, the stiffer foam disappears over time. If that goes unchecked the covers will rip.

Also not sure on differences between SA and FB seats. Your seats look identical to my S2 FB seats.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...-foam-1143144/
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...y-kit-1071159/

If they are still uncomfortable, take comfort in driving a super clean SA.
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by t_g_farrell
You could pull the covers and fix the faom as mentioned. The foam and the webbing get really tired after 40 years. Unfortunately there is a risk of damaging the covers on removing or reinstalling them because they will be brittle with age. If you really want better seats, pull these and save them and have another set redone with new foam and upholstery. New foam is not available and would have to be custom made by a shop. Racing Beat has some great covers that you can order to make it look like the originals at a reasonable price.

Thanks for the tips! Yeah that’s what I’ve been wanting to do pretty much, is to find another pair of seats either SA or FB and just redo those with colors that would match my interior.
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by tommyeflight89
Ya those are beauty seats you won't find anything better!

I replaced the foam in my FB seats, the stiffer foam disappears over time. If that goes unchecked the covers will rip.

Also not sure on differences between SA and FB seats. Your seats look identical to my S2 FB seats.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...-foam-1143144/
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...y-kit-1071159/

If they are still uncomfortable, take comfort in driving a super clean SA.

thanks I appreciate it! I do enjoy driving it regardless but just think these are ready to either be stored away and redo another pair, or redo these. Thanks for the links, will look over them
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Old Jun 3, 2020 | 11:26 AM
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I clicked in here to offer some advice on seat swapping, and instead found a beautiful SA thread! The car is minty clean man, don't change it at all and it'll only increase in value. Hoping you can find a more comfortable seat option to enjoy the car some more though, best of luck on the search/research!
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Old Jun 3, 2020 | 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by drdode
Thanks for the tips! Yeah that’s what I’ve been wanting to do pretty much, is to find another pair of seats either SA or FB and just redo those with colors that would match my interior.
79-83 are all the same high back seat frame and foam. I redid mine with foam from an 83 at the pull-a-part. Cost me $80.00 for both seats, took the foam and tossed the frames LOL.
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Old Jun 3, 2020 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by DreamInRotary
I clicked in here to offer some advice on seat swapping, and instead found a beautiful SA thread! The car is minty clean man, don't change it at all and it'll only increase in value. Hoping you can find a more comfortable seat option to enjoy the car some more though, best of luck on the search/research!

thanks man I appreciate it! I have all my original parts and I’m not planning on parting out anything So I’d still like to find the best option for to make my drive more comfortable
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Old Jun 3, 2020 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by t_g_farrell
79-83 are all the same high back seat frame and foam. I redid mine with foam from an 83 at the pull-a-part. Cost me $80.00 for both seats, took the foam and tossed the frames LOL.

nice man! Yeah possibly thinking of putting these away and find something with more cushion and reupholster them like the og SA’s with the plaid middle portion
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