Seat Rail/Mount modification

[frag_dog]

I've got a set of 300xz seats I want to put in my RA28. The obvious problem is the rails for the 300xz seats don't match the mount points for the RA28. I want to keep the seat functions (electric adjust - heavy I know but I want to keep anyway) so this means that most of the 300xz rails needs to stay. The only options I can think are:

1) Mod the rails. This would involve shortening and widening the rails. This would allow them to bolt up to the standard mounts in the celica.

or

2) Mod the mounts. I would need to remove all 4 mount points and weld in some new ones. This would keep the rails in there original condition.

I know that people have put newer seats in their Celicas, but which method has been used. And which is going to be the easiest to get and engineer to sign off on. If I have to keep the original Celica rails and mod them to fit the 300xz seats then I guess I will but I would prefer not to.

The standard RA28 mounts don't look that great to be honest. The mount closest to the door is just sheet metal tacked to the chassis rail, the others look fine. But, is welding new mount point in going to cause a headache with an engineer?

I don't want to do a dodgy sneak past an engineer or not have it engineered, I want it to be safe and legal.

Has anyone else modified seat rails and/or mount points and had it passed by an engineer? What are the do's and don'ts...

Thanks

[PeteH]

Hi,

The first “do” if you want it legal is to have a chat with the engineer that will be signing off on your car. As much as there are rules in place for modifications I have always found that what suits one engineer may not suit another. It really is best to check before wasting your time and money.

As for actual seat modding advice…… on the seats that I have had certified in the past I have always modified the mounting points at the rail ends. The engineers that I have used have been happy with this.

Cheers,

Pete

[Gary]

slightly different scenario, ive modded a bride (or recaro, cant remember) rail to suit a different chassis, the purest and simplest way for me was to make new feet out of similar thickness bar as the rail and use gussets where appropriate

as long as the new feet you weld onto the rail arent too far away from the original 300ZX feet, and your welds are good, an engineer should be happy with it

best to have a quick chat with one before you start though

[seamonsta]

Keith at KCF Rallysport in Kippa Ring is an engineer and is a Recaro seat dealer, ring him and ask, he is very knowledgable. As Pete said the more people/engineers you ask the more confused you will get, deal with one person who is going to engineer them for you, Keith is said person IMOP.