NA Aftermarket Seats

[zacMX5aus]

Hi all,

I'm after suggestions for aftermarket seats for my NA. I want something adjustable (no buckets) but something that will hold me a bit better than the factory seats. Something comfortable would also be preferred Pics would be great!

Thanks

[StuwieP]

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=75690

Don't know if these fit/etc no affiliation with seller - you could check with them re further details.

[rpost77]

1991 NA6 here (owned since 1993).

Had stock seats for the 1st 20 years of ownership. Bad back and ageing seats prompted change.

Tried the Mazdaspeed seats - pair in the car for about a week - did not like - not comfortable.

Bought NA8B seats (cloth) - fabulous - super comfy - can actually drive car now for more than 20 minutes without back locking up - hold well.

Those were in for about 6 months until option to purchase leather clad version of same - sold cloth version to brother-in-law and more happy with the leather version.

My recommendation - go for a set of NB8B seats ("surfboard") - go not near the NB8A versions.

Bonus - NB8B seats are straight swap for NA - remove seat belt receiver bolted to seats is only this you need to do.

[StanTheMan]

I've got a cloth set of NB8b seats as well. I've had them in for about 10 years . they don't wear very well. I also agree that are far better than the NA seats as far as holding & support.

it's kind of difficult....because one mans heaven is another's hell.

i certainly wouldnt put the seats back in again because I feel they are ordinary still. but i don't suffer from back issues. I've also never sat in the Mazspeed seats. but have lusted after a pair for a long time

[droo]

There are *heaps* of different options on the market. All depends on your personal taste what you're after. Seats are a very personal thing. One suitable for a short fat driver is not suitable for a tall thin driver and usually not ideal for anyone in between.

23192552_10155859534548436_1784248269_o.jpg

For me, these are my fav. I love the shape, i love the fit, and they actually fit in my NA well.
The one on the left are my current seats (only one pictured) and is wearing oem seat rails beneath.
My new replacement (more durable material) on the right (different hoop shape, subtle stitching and design changes and slightly shorter), to be installed.
These hug my thighs, lower back and are a very snug fit for my body. The seatbelt feeds through the holes and is higher then my shoulders, and feeds and retracts smoothly as per oem. The seat doesnt have hard plastics were my head rests in the event of whiplash. This was a consideration based on the previous racing seats i had installed.

Cornering hard you are planted and do not move at all in the seat, and makes for much easier steering (as stupid as that sounds, it is very confidence inspiring on a good mountain road)

I had to put the right hand seat on the left, and the left hand seat on the right, so the adjustment mechanism would clear for the lower seatbelt mount. No big deal, it mated up fine

Has lever recline, which suits fine, although a rotating recliner would be better for more precise positioning if you're one of those super picky/annoying types.

Snug fit in the car, doesnt hit against the door and the base fits, although tight (we like tight), no tearing the material against the carpet to move the seat forward or back but for me, i have it as far back as possible.

Amazingly these are 3-4kg lighter then the oem seats and have had these installed for nearly 4 years, also these sit lower then stock seats (without the foamectomy).

For searching shops or online, get the seat dimensions, and if possible, go to a store that has the seats, bring tools to remove your existing seat and trial fit it on the floor. (make sure there's an additional 2-3" of clearance above the seat to allow for seat rails, and specifically, the ability to recline the seat forward if you have a (fixed) hard top, in order to remove the seat.

If you cant get to a shop, best measure the width of the floor pan, and height from seat mounts to the top of the soft top.
Also the width of the seat shoulders and where the backs of your knees are on the seat and base and compare to the cabin measurements.
Dont forget to factor in the height of the seat rails too, i was fortunate as these bolt up almost perfectly to the oem seat rails. Not all seats will be like this.

I'm running a hard top and there is a height difference vs a soft top. (think the hard top is a smidge lower? i cant recall the specifics)

[zacMX5aus]

Thanks for the (detailed) replies guys! I have seen the nb seats but haven't had a chance to sit in any yet, next chance I get I will have to take a test sit.

Those seats look great drop, what model are they?

[KevGoat]

Looks like these?? ...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2892353357

How well do they match up to stock rails?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[speed]

There are *heaps* of different options on the market. All depends on your personal taste what you're after. Seats are a very personal thing. One suitable for a short fat driver is not suitable for a tall thin driver and usually not ideal for anyone in between.

23192552_10155859534548436_1784248269_o.jpg

For me, these are my fav. I love the shape, i love the fit, and they actually fit in my NA well.
The one on the left are my current seats (only one pictured) and is wearing oem seat rails beneath.
My new replacement (more durable material) on the right (different hoop shape, subtle stitching and design changes and slightly shorter), to be installed.
These hug my thighs, lower back and are a very snug fit for my body. The seatbelt feeds through the holes and is higher then my shoulders, and feeds and retracts smoothly as per oem. The seat doesnt have hard plastics were my head rests in the event of whiplash. This was a consideration based on the previous racing seats i had installed.

Cornering hard you are planted and do not move at all in the seat, and makes for much easier steering (as stupid as that sounds, it is very confidence inspiring on a good mountain road)

I had to put the right hand seat on the left, and the left hand seat on the right, so the adjustment mechanism would clear for the lower seatbelt mount. No big deal, it mated up fine

Has lever recline, which suits fine, although a rotating recliner would be better for more precise positioning if you're one of those super picky/annoying types.

Snug fit in the car, doesnt hit against the door and the base fits, although tight (we like tight), no tearing the material against the carpet to move the seat forward or back but for me, i have it as far back as possible.

Amazingly these are 3-4kg lighter then the oem seats and have had these installed for nearly 4 years, also these sit lower then stock seats (without the foamectomy).

For searching shops or online, get the seat dimensions, and if possible, go to a store that has the seats, bring tools to remove your existing seat and trial fit it on the floor. (make sure there's an additional 2-3" of clearance above the seat to allow for seat rails, and specifically, the ability to recline the seat forward if you have a (fixed) hard top, in order to remove the seat.

If you cant get to a shop, best measure the width of the floor pan, and height from seat mounts to the top of the soft top.
Also the width of the seat shoulders and where the backs of your knees are on the seat and base and compare to the cabin measurements.
Dont forget to factor in the height of the seat rails too, i was fortunate as these bolt up almost perfectly to the oem seat rails. Not all seats will be like this.

I'm running a hard top and there is a height difference vs a soft top. (think the hard top is a smidge lower? i cant recall the specifics)

Droo, how much lower are we talking?
I've got na seats with foamectomy and want to go 1.5 to 2 inches lower.
They look great btw.

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[droo]

yep them's the ones KevGoat!
Fast postage too and is happy to let you pick them up if you live local (bulky big box tho!)

The original seats on the left of my pic, lined up lovely to the rails. Just a few drill holes and bolted through perfectly.
Unfortunately the seats on the right of the pic are very different underneath and will require some thought on how to install them.

[speed]

yep them's the ones KevGoat!
Fast postage too and is happy to let you pick them up if you live local (bulky big box tho!)

The original seats on the left of my pic, lined up lovely to the rails. Just a few drill holes and bolted through perfectly.
Unfortunately the seats on the right of the pic are very different underneath and will require some thought on how to install them.

So how much lower than stock do they sit?
I'm very interested to know before I tart hacking up my car.
Cheers!

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[bruce]

I suspect those seats will be clones. Unknown quality and unknown safety - no approvals of any sort. Take your life into your own hands.

[speed]

Droo, I've never met you so don't know if these seats suit tall and thin or short and fat like you described.
Im 6 foot 3 and thinish and if these are a suitable fit and sit lower i really want to know about it.
Thank you very much!

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[droo]

Your suspicions are correct.. i cant afford mega dollars for a set of real recaros, and if i could, i sure as f wouldnt be driving an old mx5. Of course brand new pricing well under $1k for a pair of them is going to be clones.

As for height, i cant test that. I'm only available in one height and thats mine and suits the seat for me. If you find yourself in melbourne and can meet up with the seller, that would be your best bet. I went through a lot of measurements and comfort trials on over a dozen seats from various places before finding these, and for me, they work.

All i've offered is another option for the OP, zacMX5aus, to choose.
Incidently i do have a set of leather ADR approved racing seats i am no longer using, with seat rails to bolt into an na/nb. for me, they werent comfortable.