e36 seat into e30

[tywaun]

Does anyone know how difficult of a process this install is? It looks like the seatbelt bar is at least one issue. How much custom work will need to be done?
Thanks!

[KenC]

Drop them in, drill through the floor, use some large nuts and bolts to hold them down. You'll have to do something about the seatbelt bar though. Either remove it or shorten it. Both have been done.

[AndrewBird]

Jordan put Vaders in his car. Ask him what all is involved.

[Addissimo]

if you dont drive a cabby, its cake... if you drive a cabby like me, You'll need a shop full of tools and about 10 hours to work on seats. I just finished putting my vaders in last night... pure sex. Nothing to worry about with the seatbelt bar. it fits nicely.

-Addis

[Nate325ic]

Addissimo-
mind spilling some of the details about putting e36 seats in a cabrio? I'm looking into getting a set of vaders and would like to know whats involved with putting them in

[Addissimo]

Oh, thats so my secret...

I'll take pictures and do a write up when my camera gets fixed and my car is running, but its definately possible. You will not be able to do it without an oxy/set blowtorch or plasma cutter (something to cut metal with)... on second thought you might be able to do it with a grinder and a small metal cutoff wheel... definately need welding capabilities... but heres the basic run-down.

The only reason the seats dont fit is because the sliding track on the outside of the seat is...well... on the outside of the seat. There is an arm on the back of the seat that mounts to the track, drill the bolt out. The front gets tricky, you have to cut about two inches of metal out of the bottom frame and weld it back together. Keep the spring attachment and find a spring with decent tention to keep the seat raising function even on both sides. Make a sleeve (spacer) for the rear bolt, stick the bolt in and tighten, then either make a bracket for the old seat holes out of flat bar, or drill new holes in the car.

It takes a while to get everything right, but damn... Vaders are sexy seats in an e30 cabrio :).

[Inspar8r]

Oh, thats so my secret...

I'll take pictures and do a write up when my camera gets fixed and my car is running, but its definately possible. You will not be able to do it without an oxy/set blowtorch or plasma cutter (something to cut metal with)... on second thought you might be able to do it with a grinder and a small metal cutoff wheel... definately need welding capabilities... but heres the basic run-down.

The only reason the seats dont fit is because the sliding track on the outside of the seat is...well... on the outside of the seat. There is an arm on the back of the seat that mounts to the track, drill the bolt out. The front gets tricky, you have to cut about two inches of metal out of the bottom frame and weld it back together. Keep the spring attachment and find a spring with decent tention to keep the seat raising function even on both sides. Make a sleeve (spacer) for the rear bolt, stick the bolt in and tighten, then either make a bracket for the old seat holes out of flat bar, or drill new holes in the car.

It takes a while to get everything right, but damn... Vaders are sexy seats in an e30 cabrio :).

Vaders might be a problem, but the non-vaders fit in the cabrio quite well. My buddy's e30 has e36 power seats, the luxo type leather seats.

[Addissimo]

but non vaders are poinless... less bolster support than the stock sports. I'll get a write up going soon. All will be revealed.

-Addis

[Inspar8r]

but non vaders are poinless... less bolster support than the stock sports. I'll get a write up going soon. All will be revealed.

-Addis

I disagree... Vaders look out of place on e30s (Sorry Eric, you know what's up!! ;) ) in my opinion. Curvy, rounded out chairs just don't flow in a car like the e30.

If you're going to do vaders, you might as well just go with some sparco Miilanos or something similar... Form AND function.

But that is just an opinion from someone who has been there and done that many times.

[Jordan]

You guys do need to keep in mind..

e30 sport seats are designed for a optimal driver weight of ~170lbs or less, and 5'8" or less.

Guys bigger then that do not often feel comfortable. I for one am 5'11" and 220lbs. I don't much care for e30 sport seats. Vaders hug my larger frame quite nicely though.

As for you Nick, you bought a IS300, so who cares if you don't like Vaders in a e30 (sorry couldn't think of any other slams)

[IAm-Topik]

I'm 6'0 ~160ish and i love the sport seats.



That isn't keeping me from getting sparco evo3's though :)

[Jand3rson]

I'm 6' 1", 210 lbs. The sport seats in the car I'm buying are comfy, but they won't be around for long.

[Schniddy]

I'm 6' 1", 210 lbs. The sport seats in the car I'm buying are comfy, but they won't be around for long.

Are they cloth?

[KenC]

I'm 6' 1", 210 lbs. The sport seats in the car I'm buying are comfy, but they won't be around for long.

Are they cloth?

No, black leather.

[kansas-ix]

I for one am 5'11" and 220lbs. I don't much care for e30 sport seats.

I feel you 5'11" and 200lbs and the bolster are a little tight on the hips, ona side note did they make cardinal red e34,e36 or e28 seats,
Actually I know they made cardinal e28 seats, I need a drivers side one if anyone sees one.