12 replies to this topic

[henuz96]

Hi all

I have just bought a pair of mazda mx5 mk1 seats to go in my mini. I was wondering if anyone new how to fit them and what subframes I should buy for them.

Cheers

Henry

[M J W J]

There won't be any frames that you can buy just to bolt them in that I am aware of.

 

You will either have to build one off custom ones or you will have to buy a set of mini bucket sub frames and adapt them so that they fit the Mx5 seats. It will all depend on how the Mx5 seats bolt into the the Mx5.

 

The link below is to a set of generic mini bucket seat sub frames.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=p2054897.l4275

 

To fit my cobra seats into my mini I built up my own frames using the runners from a Corsa b.

[Tamworthbay]

Do you have the sliders off the MX5 seats? They are very slim compared to normal cars and you may be able to find a subframe you can bolt them onto. Otherwise the sliders on the MX5 seats just bolt to the seat, so it's just a matter of measuring the distance between the centres of the mounting bolts and then looking for a subframe with rails that would fit to that. If you can't find any then its a weld job I am afraid. I have been wondering about this as I have an MX5 mk1 and seats would look good in a mini.

[dklawson]

MX5... as in Miata?  That's a very common seat swap for Triumphs but I have not heard of it for Minis.  As mentioned above, you will likely need to adapt them to a used set of Mini seat bottom frames or similar to get the height where it needs to be.  One of the things Triumph owners often like about them is that some Mazda seats have built in headrest speakers.  That might also be very handy on a Mk1 Mins.

[Twincam]

MX5... as in Miata?  That's a very common seat swap for Triumphs but I have not heard of it for Minis.  As mentioned above, you will likely need to adapt them to a used set of Mini seat bottom frames or similar to get the height where it needs to be.  One of the things Triumph owners often like about them is that some Mazda seats have built in headrest speakers.  That might also be very handy on a Mk1 Mins.

Yup, over here theyre just called the MX-5 and over in Japan theyre called the Eunos.

The MK1 seats also have speakers inbuilt into the head rest as you know (the MK2 onwards don't however) - I've seen a few people install them into Minis and also MK1 caddys as they're small.

Edited by Twincam, 02 February 2014 - 05:06 PM.

[henuz96]

Thanks all for you help. Looks like it might be a bit difficult to do.


Yes I do have the sliders.

I will have a look around for a subframe that fits the mazda seats.

Cheers

[Vipernoir]

I've seen it done in an Elf, so it is possible.

[psychobob]

the seats in my hornet are from a mazda 636 I think. they were in it when I bought it. I've been thinking of a change to black mx5 seats as the 636's are a horrible pattern with cheapo covers on. they are a bit of a tight fit, but are so much comfier than the standard ones in my sons 998 mini.

[Tamworthbay]

the seats in my hornet are from a mazda 636 I think. they were in it when I bought it. I've been thinking of a change to black mx5 seats as the 636's are a horrible pattern with cheapo covers on. they are a bit of a tight fit, but are so much comfier than the standard ones in my sons 998 mini.

The MX5 ones are much narrower, they are one of the shallowest, skinniest seats in any modern (ish) car, they will fit much easier than the 626 ones.

[PetePinnington]

I've got some some in my mini, I temporarily made some frames so I could bolt them straight to the cobra bucket subframes. I plan to use the mx5 frames though as I sit way to high at the moment at they weigh a ton. Although like an idiot, I left one of the frames in my old garage I'm sure I've got a photo of the frames somewhere and I've definitely got some photos of the seats fitted but they're on my comp. This is the only one I have on my iPad
These are the ones with the speakers in the headrest but I need to wire in my old CD player to use them.

[henuz96]

I've got some some in my mini, I temporarily made some frames so I could bolt them straight to the cobra bucket subframes. I plan to use the mx5 frames though as I sit way to high at the moment at they weigh a ton. Although like an idiot, I left one of the frames in my old garage I'm sure I've got a photo of the frames somewhere and I've definitely got some photos of the seats fitted but they're on my comp. This is the only one I have on my iPad
These are the ones with the speakers in the headrest but I need to wire in my old CD player to use them.

Ok so I called up cobra and they say that the cobra bucket seat subframes are too narrow. But they work with your Mazda seats?

U also say that you are going to use the Mazda frames, my ones have the runners on them. Would I just bolt the runners to the floor of the mini or not. If not what would I need to buy?

Sorry for all the questions but I am just completely stumped on how to fit them.

Cheers all

Henry

[freshairmini]

 

I've got some some in my mini, I temporarily made some frames so I could bolt them straight to the cobra bucket subframes. I plan to use the mx5 frames though as I sit way to high at the moment at they weigh a ton. Although like an idiot, I left one of the frames in my old garage I'm sure I've got a photo of the frames somewhere and I've definitely got some photos of the seats fitted but they're on my comp. This is the only one I have on my iPad
These are the ones with the speakers in the headrest but I need to wire in my old CD player to use them.

Ok so I called up cobra and they say that the cobra bucket seat subframes are too narrow. But they work with your Mazda seats?

U also say that you are going to use the Mazda frames, my ones have the runners on them. Would I just bolt the runners to the floor of the mini or not. If not what would I need to buy?

Sorry for all the questions but I am just completely stumped on how to fit them.

Cheers all

Henry

 

 

You can see that in his picture he has some (rusty) box section that bridges the mazda runners and the cobra subframes. Similar to what I have done with recaro (wide frames) and cobra subframe. 

 

If and when i do it again, I wouldn't do it the same, as sone said on here it makes the seats sit high and they also move and flex a little.

 

Best but most involved way of doing it is creating box sections of similar look to the floor cross member then bolt the seats down. It'll be the strongest, most secure and spread the weight cross the floor. and sit at a nice height.

[henuz96]

Ok cheers thanks a lot