240Z Seat Replacement Options?

[Duffman]

I saw Tomohawk's thread on 280z replacement seats, but I have searched for advice on comfortable replacement seats for the 240z with mixed results. Thought I would ask the question in a specific thread. I am aware of Miata and Acura seats as options, are there other options (other than racing seats) that would work? I am looking for better comfort and support than the standard 240z seat.

Thanks,

Stephen

[Go240Zags]

I hope he will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Carl Beck tried some seats from an American car successfully. Maybe he can add to this post. Perhaps this post and Tommohawk's should be combined. I'd consider seats from other cars as long as they offered better comfort and support and do not sit higher than the stock ones. My head is already too close to bumping the headliner as it is. Gary D.

[daddz]

Some people have suggested the Fiero seats but I prefer the Miata seats. I have measured an S30 seat side by side with a Miata seat and in all dimensions ther are within an inch in all directions. The extra inch or so is most notable on the lower seat cushion as it extends the thigh support area. I also like the overall look which is the same as the S30 seat yet has cloth in the center which is most appreciated in both hot and cold weather.

[EScanlon]

Gary;

Check the bottom of your seat rails and see if they're mounted on one or more hexagonal or round spacers. If they are, you can remove those and gain about 1/2" PER spacer.

Don't know that I would recommend removing only from the rear bolts, as that may cause undue stress on the spacers up front and could cause a catastrophic failure (i.e. have them shatter when you hit a bump and now the front of the seat is free to bounce up and down). But, IIRC you can put up to 3 or 4 of them to RAISE the seat, and you can remove them completely to LOWER the seat to contact the seat rails to the mounts.

FWIW

Enrique

[Mat M]

Check out this post on HZ.

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=116430&highlight=350Z+seats

[geezer]

Stephen - I'm glad you brought this subject up. Just one more of the things I've been mulling over. First off, do you or anyone else know the dimensions off hand, of the originals? I have mine stored elsewhere. I had a pair of seats from a 1999 Misubishi Eclipse given to me. I was told they were a good fit for the 240Z. I just never got around to comparing them to confirm that yet. I measured them:

- The base is 20 1/2" at the widest point.

- The back is 20" at the widest point.

- Total height to the top of the back with the brackets 35"

It doesn't look like the base could be lowered much.They have full tilt and slide. They are very comfortable with excellent support.

[2003z]

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21210&highlight=350z

350z seats. The manual ones are the same width, height and thickness of the original seats, and with creative mounting, you get more headroom.

[DRBall]

In line with this post.. What size etc is the mounting hardware for the seats.The car I just bought had the seats recovered but they lost the hardware....

[ggarrard]

Stephen - Other options for seats in a 240Z include the mid-80's Toyota Corolla GTS/ Supra Seats, Honda Civic and mid-80's Prelude seats. I have '84 Prelude seats in my 72....bolted to a steel plate which in turn is bolted to the Z factory mounting. This way I can remove the Honda seats and re-install my Z seats quickly...

GWGarrard

[Duffman]

Due to the limitations of getting original seats from other cars and models, what is the general thought of the cheap racing seats offered on ebay? Just asking ...

[SteveInOakland]

I saw Tomohawk's thread on 280z replacement seats, but I have searched for advice on comfortable replacement seats for the 240z with mixed results. Thought I would ask the question in a specific thread. I am aware of Miata and Acura seats as options, are there other options (other than racing seats) that would work? I am looking for better comfort and support than the standard 240z seat.

I'd look into these:

Mitsubishi Eclipse as described elsewhere in thread (however, lots of different upholstery styles, many of them rather cheap-looking; ditto with the Eagle, Plymouth, Chrysler versions of this car)

Honda del Sol, very desirable seats probably small enough to fit

Honda CRX 1988-91 or so, ditto; Recaro-like

Toyota MR2 (kind of a small-person's seat, not much depth to the bottom; lots of different styles over the years; might or might not be your taste)

BMW 3-series late '80s, early '90s (fake leather, and believe it or not, a set that I measured look like they'd be a good fit; much narrower seat than expected)

The thing about the Miata seats is they are perfect in many respects; they are even closer to the floor than the original Z seats. However, like 99% of seats you try to put into a Z, their back extends far enough out behind the track-mounts that they eat into your legroom once installed. This was a problem for me (6'2") and I sold the set of Miata seats that I bought. (In case legroom not a problem, I'm attaching a photo.)

Be sure to look at Carl Beck's ZHome writeup of the seats he put in his car.

One last thing: if you're looking at Z seats in junkyards etc., since invariably the passenger seat is in better shape than the driver's, it's worth knowing that with some swapping around of hardware and tracks, including the hinges from your own driver's seat, you can install a passenger seat on the driver's side.

Steve.

[geezer]

I did some more measurements and came to a decision. The Mitsubishi seats are so close to my original 240Z seats in every aspect. I think a proffessional upholsterer will be able to fit the Z skins without too much difficulty. I am trying to keep the original look but gain in comfort level.