My interior project
02-16-03, 02:08 AM
#1
My interior project
As much as I love the FD, if there is one thing that I absolutely hate - it's the cheapness of the FD's interior. I cannot understand why Mazda was so inclined to give their flagship - a low to high $30K (early '90s dollars) vehicle - the budget interior of a Kia.
With just under 80k miles, my FD's interior squeaks like a group of mice having an orgy. Style wise, the design is nice, form fitting, and in keeping with the intent of the car - but the cheap, thin plastic and vinyl ruins the RX7 experience for me. I've heard all sorts of reasons - mostly centering around Mazda's obsessive need to shave every last gram - but I would have been more then happy to put up with *maybe* an extra 50lbs for a nicer drivers' environment.
I've already started hunting down and isolating the source of the creaks, and I'll post pics and decription latter as I progress - but thought I'd share a couple pics that I do have at the moment.
I ended up replacing my stock Touring seats with Sparco Roadsters:
http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_street.asp?id=97
They were one of the few one-piece shell seats that are relatively easy to get into, and suited my needs for street use with a few road events sprinkled in. They only come in Sparco's Jacquard fabric though (as of the time I purchased them), which is one step above yarn material IMHO.
Along with my plans to eliminate the creaks in the interior, I am going to recover all the all the factory vinyl and plastic with leather and Sparco Alcantara suede. (Not sure if I'm going to do the dash, as that I bought a '95 from gmonsen that's in terrific condition, and a bit worried that (with all the complex curves and corners) a leather job may not come out neat and tidy.) Much of my project is inspired by gmonsen, from this thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=84253
Just got back my seat covers, which were done by Stitchcraft in California. I had contacted Sparco originally, and they sent me to to Stitchcraft - who does Sparco's show cars and custom work.
http://www.stitchcraftinteriors.com/ (ask for Revo)
The Roadsters use a 'draw string' cinch system to attach the seat covers to the fiberglass shell, and I simply removed them and sent it to Stichcraft to redo. The bolsters are charcoal Alcantara, and the cushions, back rest, and head rest is in black leather. I had the Sparco logo done in charcoal thread, to minimize the 'billboard' effect.
The charcoal is a little bit darker then I wanted, but I did not confirm the color before they started. I was going by the Sparco fabric swatch at a local rice shop, and did think that there would be a noticeable difference between fabric lots. For Stitchcrafts part, they used the darkest charcoal like I requested.
Lesson? Make sure you verify color before having your stuff done. There are differences in shade between lots. I like it though, and rather it be darker then too light. I'm just a little worried that the extra material I ordered may be a little off, as that Sparco ran out of charcoal while my seats were being done.
All in all, a good start. Very happy with the work, and the seats feel soooo much nicer (and expensive - which I guess they are now hehe) now. I'll update this thread as I progress.
With just under 80k miles, my FD's interior squeaks like a group of mice having an orgy. Style wise, the design is nice, form fitting, and in keeping with the intent of the car - but the cheap, thin plastic and vinyl ruins the RX7 experience for me. I've heard all sorts of reasons - mostly centering around Mazda's obsessive need to shave every last gram - but I would have been more then happy to put up with *maybe* an extra 50lbs for a nicer drivers' environment.
I've already started hunting down and isolating the source of the creaks, and I'll post pics and decription latter as I progress - but thought I'd share a couple pics that I do have at the moment.
I ended up replacing my stock Touring seats with Sparco Roadsters:
http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_street.asp?id=97
They were one of the few one-piece shell seats that are relatively easy to get into, and suited my needs for street use with a few road events sprinkled in. They only come in Sparco's Jacquard fabric though (as of the time I purchased them), which is one step above yarn material IMHO.
Along with my plans to eliminate the creaks in the interior, I am going to recover all the all the factory vinyl and plastic with leather and Sparco Alcantara suede. (Not sure if I'm going to do the dash, as that I bought a '95 from gmonsen that's in terrific condition, and a bit worried that (with all the complex curves and corners) a leather job may not come out neat and tidy.) Much of my project is inspired by gmonsen, from this thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=84253
Just got back my seat covers, which were done by Stitchcraft in California. I had contacted Sparco originally, and they sent me to to Stitchcraft - who does Sparco's show cars and custom work.
http://www.stitchcraftinteriors.com/ (ask for Revo)
The Roadsters use a 'draw string' cinch system to attach the seat covers to the fiberglass shell, and I simply removed them and sent it to Stichcraft to redo. The bolsters are charcoal Alcantara, and the cushions, back rest, and head rest is in black leather. I had the Sparco logo done in charcoal thread, to minimize the 'billboard' effect.
The charcoal is a little bit darker then I wanted, but I did not confirm the color before they started. I was going by the Sparco fabric swatch at a local rice shop, and did think that there would be a noticeable difference between fabric lots. For Stitchcrafts part, they used the darkest charcoal like I requested.
Lesson? Make sure you verify color before having your stuff done. There are differences in shade between lots. I like it though, and rather it be darker then too light. I'm just a little worried that the extra material I ordered may be a little off, as that Sparco ran out of charcoal while my seats were being done.
All in all, a good start. Very happy with the work, and the seats feel soooo much nicer (and expensive - which I guess they are now hehe) now. I'll update this thread as I progress.
Last edited by dclin; 02-16-03 at 02:28 AM.
02-16-03, 03:34 AM
#5
Here is the first thread from gmonsen's project:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...5&pagenumber=1
shows the genesis of his project, with lots of neat pics. Check out his leather coverd door panels:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...5&pagenumber=5
I'm thinking of giving my door panels a little bit more detail, anybody got a trashed set of door panels for me to play with?
Daniel
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...5&pagenumber=1
shows the genesis of his project, with lots of neat pics. Check out his leather coverd door panels:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...5&pagenumber=5
I'm thinking of giving my door panels a little bit more detail, anybody got a trashed set of door panels for me to play with?
Daniel
Trending Topics
02-16-03, 04:32 PM
#8
Originally posted by Aspire
I know you're in Houston and would love to see it in person. Where abouts in Houston are you located?
I know you're in Houston and would love to see it in person. Where abouts in Houston are you located?
Thanks coincopy.
02-16-03, 07:44 PM
#9
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Buckhead
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I actually found the sources of all my creaks and squeeks and fixed them all. Ihave 156K on my car and it was really creaking. The problem on my car was first a rattling coming from the back of the car on the highway. It turned out to be the hatch lock mechanism is worn and it rattles when I am on highway. I put tape around the latch (until I get a new one) and it holds it secure and fixed that problem.
The other problems concerned both drivers and passenger doors. The squeeks can be heard constantly. I found they were coming from the where the inside door locks are. It was the plastic insert around the door locks. When the car moves it would make plastic hit plastic. I took that out and put foam weatherstrip around it and did that for the entire door. when you put it back together you cant see the weatherstrip and it holds nice and tight and obsorbes the sounds. Im sure the car did not do that when it was new, but I had the door panels off a few times and everything comes loose. Also, on the passenger door if the screws inside the panel that keep the interior door panel come loose that whole thing will squeek.
I have isolated about 95 pct of them and the difference in my car makes it more enjoyable. The only outstanding issue I can see is my metal moon roof. When the roof is open it squeeks, when its closed it doesnt. I will hunt that down next week.
The other problems concerned both drivers and passenger doors. The squeeks can be heard constantly. I found they were coming from the where the inside door locks are. It was the plastic insert around the door locks. When the car moves it would make plastic hit plastic. I took that out and put foam weatherstrip around it and did that for the entire door. when you put it back together you cant see the weatherstrip and it holds nice and tight and obsorbes the sounds. Im sure the car did not do that when it was new, but I had the door panels off a few times and everything comes loose. Also, on the passenger door if the screws inside the panel that keep the interior door panel come loose that whole thing will squeek.
I have isolated about 95 pct of them and the difference in my car makes it more enjoyable. The only outstanding issue I can see is my metal moon roof. When the roof is open it squeeks, when its closed it doesnt. I will hunt that down next week.
02-17-03, 08:03 PM
#11
Newb Photog
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: new jersey
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
how tall are you and how big (weight wise)are you? i am not rying ot pick you up or anything i wanted to get an idea of how the seats feel to you and what size you were. why did you choose those over evo2s, corsa and/or pro2000 (those were/are the seats i am debating over).
luigi
luigi
02-17-03, 09:08 PM
#12
1993 RX7 R1
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nice seat covers!
Not to answer for DCLIN, but the best way to choose a seat is to go to a showroom and try them out. For instance, I fit best in a Rev or Evo but Evo2 and Pro2000 are too large for me(6 foot and 185 pounds)
Originally posted by wptrx7
why did you choose those over evo2s, corsa and/or pro2000 (those were/are the seats i am debating over).
why did you choose those over evo2s, corsa and/or pro2000 (those were/are the seats i am debating over).
02-17-03, 11:52 PM
#13
I'm 5'9 200lbs and they fit well - snug at the hips, but not uncomfortably so (more on this below). Thing about the Roadsters is that (main reason why I got them) is the leg bolsters are lower (seating area is shallower) then the other 'race' seats.
While this means a little less 'bucket power' in 10/10ths driving, it makes ingress/egress that much more easier. It also means it's more flexible in fit, as that my flab can hang over the sides (j/k).
See the how deep the Corsas are compared to the Roadsters:
*edit* ok, forum not liking the pics I'm trying to attach, so here are the links:
http://www.sparcousa.com/images/91.jpg (Corsas, race type)
http://www.sparcousa.com/images/97.jpg (Roadsters, street type)
As Mr.Stock suggests though, it's best to try it out for yourself if possible. May not be possible of course, but having sat in 'race' buckets like the Corsa just once was enough to tell me I would not want to put up with the inconvenience, even in a weekend car. I figure if the stock seats can be used for occasional track events, so can the Roadsters.
I do wish the leg cushions extended out a couple more inches though. As it is now, the cushion ends about 3 inches from the crook in my knee. It's ok, but anybody with longer legs may not like it (find it supportive enough). My inseam is 32. (Ok, this is getting a bit too personal hehe).
Also notice the Roadster's leg cushion is not as 'large'/aggressive as the Corsa's. The thought of having Stitchcraft plump it up a tiny bit crossed my mind, but I forgot to ask them when I got around to having them done. Ah well, works for now.
While this means a little less 'bucket power' in 10/10ths driving, it makes ingress/egress that much more easier. It also means it's more flexible in fit, as that my flab can hang over the sides (j/k).
See the how deep the Corsas are compared to the Roadsters:
*edit* ok, forum not liking the pics I'm trying to attach, so here are the links:
http://www.sparcousa.com/images/91.jpg (Corsas, race type)
http://www.sparcousa.com/images/97.jpg (Roadsters, street type)
As Mr.Stock suggests though, it's best to try it out for yourself if possible. May not be possible of course, but having sat in 'race' buckets like the Corsa just once was enough to tell me I would not want to put up with the inconvenience, even in a weekend car. I figure if the stock seats can be used for occasional track events, so can the Roadsters.
I do wish the leg cushions extended out a couple more inches though. As it is now, the cushion ends about 3 inches from the crook in my knee. It's ok, but anybody with longer legs may not like it (find it supportive enough). My inseam is 32. (Ok, this is getting a bit too personal hehe).
Also notice the Roadster's leg cushion is not as 'large'/aggressive as the Corsa's. The thought of having Stitchcraft plump it up a tiny bit crossed my mind, but I forgot to ask them when I got around to having them done. Ah well, works for now.
02-18-03, 06:44 PM
#16
Newb Photog
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: new jersey
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanx for the replies, but around here, they usually have one sparco seats in the showroom (and its a torino). when it comes time for me to purchase a set of seats i will be heading down south (authorized dealer in south jersey) to try the seats out.
thanx again
thanx again
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
acha3
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
7
09-06-15 08:14 AM
