DAD Racing seats install in FD?
 

So I've read that the DAD racing seats are a pretty good product for only $350 for the pair. I've also read that the biggest problem with them is the install, but I havn't been able to find any step-by-step type of write-up for installing a DAD seat.

Someone modded the stock sliders, but didn't really mention what he did to get the stock sliders to work with the DAD seats...

So any experience on this? I know, $350 for seats is too cheap... buy stock ones instead... (you can't get NEW stock seats for $350...). I don't need to debate the quality of the seats... I'm just looking for some advice on the install. Thanks

I've only seen one person on this forum use those seats in the FD. Yes, he had to make adapters for the stock rails to install them.

I think I found that thread... I think it was a couple years old & just said that he used 2" tubes to modify... didn't say much as to how he did it.

I don't know about tubes....

https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...50&postcount=2

Basically, you'll probably need a 1/4" or so flat piece of steel. You'll drill holes to line up the seat and then drill holes to line up the rail. The adapter plates will allow you do mate the seat to the stock rail.

http://www.madracingconcepts.com/Seats/seats.htm
-nice seats and they have a fiberglass back

I used those seats and they almost bolted directly up. The drivers side went right in and the passenger side only required me to grind a 1/4" spacer at about a 30* and place it in between the stock slider and the seat. It took me about an hour to do the install.

Were you bolting those up to an FD or an FC?

They've got some tan racing seats I'm kind of interested in... Wonder if they would fit?

After owning a set of these seats you should really listen to what I have to say, as it may save your life.

These seats are not only poor quality but they are *UNSAFE*. They are thin, flimsy and poorly constructed. In an accident you would be safer with the stock seats.

I was able to get the seats to fit in my FC, however they they are more narrow then the stock rails. It took a decent amount of welding to modify the stock rails to fit.

They'd be perfect for a show car that doesn't actually move or drive in any fashion.

I'm not here to change your mind however, In this case you're not just sacrificing price for quality, but safety as well.

Well there goes that idea, the quest for tan racing seats continues....

No I was specifically referring to the DAD seats. That other link posted is not the same brand of seat.

I figured they were all manufactured by the same maker. I'm still a little wary of off brand seat makers though, they're an integral part of your overall safety during a wreck, so it's not something I'd really want to skimp on. The Sparco Monza's are so expensive though, and they're the only nice seat that I've found that comes in tan.

Not saying I don't beleive you... but that is just about the exact opposite of a couple reviews I've read about thos seats on this forum. That's what make buying stuff so tricky... for every person that says it's a good product... there is usually someone who thinks it's a bad one...

Do you have any reccomendations on a cheap seat? I want new seats, so used stock ones are not an option.

There is a possessed evil force that was spilled on my seats by the previous owner... & when you clean it... it keeps coming & coming, never letting up! PLUS, it STAINS my wife's clothes... so that she will only ride in the car with a towel over the seat.

TMadlem84,

For inexpensive 'good' seats, Corbeau are just about the only way to go (if you are looking for adjustable seats). They also sell sliders made for the FD. The A4 and CR1's both fit without too many headaches.

^Corbeaus are around $350 per seat though. I've heard the "your life isn't worth the $350 saved from buying cheap seats" talk...

I could easily drop $350 into seats... $800 is another story...

Anyoen ever have their stock seats re-covered? How much do you think that'd run to re-do the entire seat (foam padding & cover)? I don't NEED (or want) some ricey-looking "racing" seat... I just want new seats that don't stain the clothes.

$200 apiece and you won't break your back if some idiot rear-ends you in traffic. :)

http://www.soloracer.com/corbeauforza.html

What material do you want to recover them in? I haven't heard of anyone recovering non-leather seats yet. Leather will run you about $600 for both seats:

www.leatherseats.com

If you want a different kind of material, it would be best to talk to a local upholstery shop. Take a seat into them and get an estimate.

Corbeau is an excellent seat. I've driven in one before. The FC rails that come with them are a little awkward (they sit really high for some reason) However I've heard they can be modified. Dunno about the FD application.

Wouldn't need leather... & would only recover them if the price was less than some cheaper aftermarket seats... guess I'll just have to take it to a shop... unless someone on here has had it done?

So $440 for the Corbeaus is more realistic... plus they've gotten good reviews on here.

Do you miss not having a reclinable seat? I am tall, so my seat is all the way back, & reclined 1 click before the back support peice touches the rear bins. (FD BTW).

I just don't want to buy a fixed back seat & end up not fitting because I can't recline it a bit.

Honestly I can't stand being away from the steering wheel. I like to be tight into the car so I can feel the car and visually see over the front of the car. The GXL seats from the FC are perfect for this with adjustable lumbar support so It feels contoured to your back if you sit straight up, and the bottom pivots to raise the front ledge of the seat up so it holds you in a "bucket".

Every one says I sit too close, however I like my legs to not have to fully extend to completely depress the gas or clutch.

I guess I should add that I'm right about the average height, 6 foot, 215, 36 waist.

I'm 6'4, so it's more of a necessity for me...

Basically, do you loose much room by not being able to recline the seat back a click or two? I'm not looking for ghetto-fabulous seats that allow me to lay down while driving... but I can't be hitting my head on the headliner...

It depends on where your height is... With an aftermarket seat (especially a fixed one), you can gain a few inches of headroom. For me, my height is in my legs so being able to fit my knees without interfering with the steering wheel is more of a priority than getting head room.

I fit pretty good on the stock seat. But I'd probably prefer to trade a bit of extra headroom for a bit of lost legroom.

So fixed seats shouldn't be much of an issue with me fitting...

I have had the DAD torino knockoff seats in my FD for 3 or 4 years with no problem. I used a couple strips of 1/4" steel drilled to place the seats where they need to go. Also you need to mod your rails so the seat belt attachment point is directly bolted to the hold down bolt, eliminating the side rail, etc. But I think every aftermaket seat requires smilar modification to the seatbelt system. That or I'm sure you could buy rails from another company, but many of those seem incredibly unsafe with only one half of the rail catching to prevent fore/aft movement.
IMO the seats seem quite supportive, and decent quality, very good value for the money. There is nothing about the design that seems flimsy or unsafe to me. I'm about 6'3" and ~220lbs though so I also appreciated the 1.5 inch drop that I got with the seats, and a bit better fit than the r1 seats in the thigh area. You may want to put some UV protectant on the fabric as it can fade with a lot of exposure to the sun. I re-dyed mine in a couple areas last year when I sold my 1st FD. Now they look good as new. I now have a pair of spirit R seats in my FD, but moved the DAD seats to my minivan since I like them so much.

Decisions, decisions...