MX5 seats

[g260]

They're finally in!!

I had originally intended to use the front rail mounts and some flat steel and have the rails extend past the rear mounting holes on the floor.

However, on the passenger side the rear rail holes lined up perfectly with the floor mounts, so I then measured 320mm forward from the rear holes and drilled a hole though each rail which lined up with the front Z seat mount hole. This meant that the front rail mount extends past the front floor mount by about 80mm or so. Ultimately, if I am happy with them mounted this way I will cut of part of the front mounting bracket.

On the drivers side I found that the seat rails were about 25mm wider than the passenger side so I had to elongate the floor mount holes and just bolted the seat in.

I went for a drive tonight and I found the seats to be very comfortable. More importantly, the passenger thought so too. Just in time for the drive with the Z club to Orange in a few weeks.

I wasn't sure how the seats would look in the car being black, when I have an off white interior. However, with the black dash, centre console and door rests, they blend in very well. Will post some pics when I get a chance.

Cheers,

Geoff

[sjcurtis]

g260,

It has taken a while for me to come across the post. It sounds like the passenger seat is a pretty good fit. Glad to hear you have got the mod done to a useable stage.

Is there any way of removing the excess rail from the rear of the seat track prior to installation. Would it be possible to do a removal of excess rail from the rear of the drivers seat track prior to installation.

Did you take any digital images of the modification, if so can you post some.

Did you go to Orange.

Cheers

Steve:classic:

[g260]

Steve,

The way I have mounted them at the moment I will probably just cut of the excess from the front of the rail which protrudes forward of the front floor mount. This could be done before the seat is bolted in.

I haven't taken any pics yet but will try and do so during the week.

Yes, we did go to Orange and the country folk are forever in our debt as we broke the drought for them. After checking the Bureau of Meterology all week, the rain held off on Saturday until we were about 40k's out of Orange, then it p***ed down for the rest of the day.

All in all though we had a great weekend, with ten cars (5 240's, 4 260's and 1 300) 20 people. Will post some pics during the week. ( I have to fix a few leaks I found!! and repair my rear window demister that I thought I had fixed)

We looked upon this as a trial for the trip up to the Queensland Nationals in April.

Cheers,

Geoff

[sjcurtis]

g260,

just took a good look at the gallery pictures. looks exceptional, just love the condition of your interior. The whole package looks realy good now. That rail overhang thing, I see what you mean I think what you suggested should work just fine. Do you get good sound from the head rest speakers.

Cheers

Steve:classic: :classic:

[g260]

Steve,

With the overhang, I could either cut of the front bit shown in the pic, or I could bolt at the front and cut off the rear. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other I suppose!!.

As for the sound, it is not earth shattering (like my son's car!!) but it works ok for me. Previously, with the speakers way down the back I couldn't hear a thing, but now with the headrest speakers, they at least fill in and the sound is much improved. I wired them in parallel with the rears and they are fine.

It really isn't too big an issue at the moment, but I have seen posts on MX5 forums where they upgrade the headrest speakers regularly.

If you ever decide to do the change, I have a diagram of the seat wiring with the positive and negative colour codes.

Cheers,

Geoff

[kmack]

MX5 would be what we call Miata here in the States, correct?

This might be something worth looking into for me.

[Bambikiller240]

g260:

As I understand your original post the only mod you did to the MX5 seats was to drill a hole in original MX5 rail, and you may cut off the end of the rail that sticks out. To fit one of the seats, (not sure if your car is RHD or LHD) you had to elongate the mount holes in the car. Can you post a poicture of the mods you had to do to the car itself to make this installation? Also, How tall are you? Most seat swaps in the US are a problem for us folks that are 6 feet tall as you end up with a seat that is too highfor comfort.

Maybe , if you have time, you could do a Technical write up for Mike to post on the site for others?

[g260]

Bambi,

On the passenger side I did not need to make any modifications to the car. The rear seat rail holes lined up perfectly with the Z mount holes and I only drilled new holes in the rails to line up with the front Z mount holes.

On the drivers side seat the rails were slightly wider apart (probably less than 1/2") and so I elongated the original holes and bolted up.

As for the height, I am 6'0" and I have ample head clearance and also leg room. My wife is about 5'4" and I used a couple of the black plastic spacers from the original seat mounts to raise up the rear of the seat about an inch for her.

The only point I would make is that I am medium build (meaning not overly large across the shoulders) and the MX5 seats are OK for me, however I think that a person of large build would probably prefer a wider seat.

Will try and post some more pics and maybe write up something for later.

Cheers,

Geoff