BMW seats in a 69 Camaro?

[F'in mine]

I posted this up at TC website but figured this might be a better place.
I have an opportunity to buy a nice set of BMW manual leather seats that measure out 37" high x 22" wide x 19" deep for a good price and was wondering if any one has attempted the conversion and or welded some new mounting brackets and could give some insight.
I'm planning to shelve my originals that were re-foamed, still uncomfortable & try something newer that cradles the body better.
Any input appreciated.

[Sheck44]

What you need to be careful is the seat base height of those being power seats.
Width is ok, but what you really want to find is a pair of seats like below, VERY easy install

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E30-325i-318i-325is-M3-BMW-SPORT-SEATS-BLACK-RE-UPHOLSTERED-BEAUTIFUL-/262740105709?fits=Make%3ABMW&hash=item3d2c87d9ed:m:mguGqJrUqmhsRk2mAzAhlSw&vxp=mtr

Cheers
Steve

[HIFLYR]

I bought a pair of Mini Copper S seats light and low like the originals.

[F'in mine]

What you need to be careful is the seat base height of those being power seats.
Width is ok, but what you really want to find is a pair of seats like below, VERY easy install

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E30-325i-318i-325is-M3-BMW-SPORT-SEATS-BLACK-RE-UPHOLSTERED-BEAUTIFUL-/262740105709?fits=Make%3ABMW&hash=item3d2c87d9ed:m:mguGqJrUqmhsRk2mAzAhlSw&vxp=mtr

Cheers
Steve

Steve, the ones I'm considering are not power seats and have a height of 8-9" which is close in relation to the factory setup. The problem arises I guess if the seat height is high then you risk your head hitting the headliner.
Measure in 4 places and purchase once in this case.

[F'in mine]

I bought a pair of Mini Copper S seats light and low like the originals.

HIFLYR, post a pic of seats in the car, at the very least if it doesn't help me maybe someone else will benefit from your posting.

[Sheck44]

Steve, the ones I'm considering are not power seats and have a height of 8-9" which is close in relation to the factory setup. The problem arises I guess if the seat height is high then you risk your head hitting the headliner.
Measure in 4 places and purchase once in this case.

Yup, 8-9" are far too high, you'll be hitting your head (depending on how tall you are)
Can you weld up your own seat brackets ?

Steve

[F'in mine]

Steve, thanks for all your input, I personally don't have a welder, there is only so much stuff you can fit into a single car garage. I'm gonna have to farm it out.
Simon

[Sheck44]

Simon, I can make you a pair, I've made about 3 or 4 sets
You pay for the material and I'll fab them up for free
I'm in the Stouffville area ... you ?
Cheers
Steve

[F'in mine]

Steve, thanks......gotta love it when a fellow member steps up and lends a helping hand. I guess that's what its all about.
Picked up the seats, made by Lear...even have a manual height adjustments. Will post something up if they work out.
PM sent.

Simon






Simon, I can make you a pair, I've made about 3 or 4 sets
You pay for the material and I'll fab them up for free
I'm in the Stouffville area ... you ?
Cheers
Steve

[Ketzer]

How heavy do they feel?
I re-did a set of BMWs (3 series, manual control) for a VW I had, Jeezus they were heavy!

[F'in mine]

I would guess about 40 lbs.


How heavy do they feel?
I re-did a set of BMWs (3 series, manual control) for a VW I had, Jeezus they were heavy!

[ctcz28]

I've read a lot of posts in these various forums about seat conversions and many show/contemplate using seats with the seat belts integral to the seat. As we all know, the first gen Camaro seat belts use anchors separate to the seat. Compare the size of the grade 8 mounting bolt and threaded anchor point for the first gen seat belts with the mounting bolts for the seats; huge difference. I'd be very concerned that the first gen seat mounting bolts were not designed to hold a 200 +\- person and a 40+\- seat in place in the case of an accident; do the math on that force in a 35 mph accident (let alone one higher speed). Some serious reengineeging of the OEM seat mounts should be necessary at a minimum to use seats with integral seat belts. I hope that this is something that everyone recognizes and is so basic that it doesn't warrent mention here and not simply an oversight.

[F'in mine]

ctcz28.....Chris is that you from TC? Appreciate your insight into seat belt issue. I'm not going to use the BMW seat belts and components at all, I'll use the existing factory belts for the time being and eventually upgrade to the Morris ones.
https://www.morrisclassic.com/collections/frontseatbelts/products/camaro-seatbelts

I realize that safety is of the utmost importance when building cars and or modifying cars that go fast. Hence why my C6 front brake upgrade this spring is at the top of the list. I just want to upgrade the front seats from the flat factory ones and be comfortable whether cruising or putting the car through the paces.
Simon





I've read a lot of posts in these various forums about seat conversions and many show/contemplate using seats with the seat belts integral to the seat. As we all know, the first gen Camaro seat belts use anchors separate to the seat. Compare the size of the grade 8 mounting bolt and threaded anchor point for the first gen seat belts with the mounting bolts for the seats; huge difference. I'd be very concerned that the first gen seat mounting bolts were not designed to hold a 200 +\- person and a 40+\- seat in place in the case of an accident; do the math on that force in a 35 mph accident (let alone one higher speed). Some serious reengineeging of the OEM seat mounts should be necessary at a minimum to use seats with integral seat belts. I hope that this is something that everyone recognizes and is so basic that it doesn't warrent mention here and not simply an oversight.

[HIFLYR]

Well not BMW but Mini Cooper S seats while manual they adjust up/down, tilt forward and back, have adjustable lumbar and best of all for 2 doors coups slide forward for easy backseat access. A plus is they were only 75.00 and have flat mounts so adapting them is going to be a piece of cake.

[F'in mine]

Well after some chopping, cutting and rebuilding the seats have been fitted. Having manual adjustments on the seats made things a little more difficult but with some switching of the seats, drivers to pass and vice versa the show must go on for the time being.

A big thank you goes out to Tony aka "v8s only" who helped with the fabbing and happen to have a 1969 Camaro as well to test fit the seats. Once it gets warmer here in Toronto which is a good few months away will transfer to my vehicle along with some other upgrades.

[Sheck44]

LOL ... Tony to the rescue again !!
Looks great Simon

Cheers
Steve

[F'in mine]

Fitted the seats in the car and I think they came out pretty decent, one had to go to the upholsters for some fixing. Way more comfortable!
Shelved the originals in storage for now.

Maybe a console that blends old and new is next?

[waynieZ]

They look really nice in there! Great job, is the seat bottom much higher than the stock seat?

[LonghornJPS]

Those seats look great, fit in very nicely. CTC consoles make some nice-looking equipment, look to be fairly customizeable.

[ctcz28]

Simon,
Those seats look fantastic and I bet make driving the car a whole different (better) experience. Great photo comparing the old OEM seat to the new one, really shows just how worthless those OEM headrests were compared to the new ones that will actually provide some protection in a rear end accident. You mentioned the Morris 3 point belts. I installed a set and love them, also way safer than just a lap belt. Good work and great looking car.

[bretcopsey]

Fitted the seats in the car and I think they came out pretty decent, one had to go to the upholsters for some fixing. Way more comfortable!
Shelved the originals in storage for now.

Maybe a console that blends old and new is next?
Thise look great. What year/model BMW?

[F'in mine]

Thanks guys, I like them compared to the flat originals, much more comfortable & better lateral support.

They look really nice in there! Great job, is the seat bottom much higher than the stock seat?,
Wayne, approx. 1" higher, I'm 6' and have about 2-3" of spare headroom before my head hits the liner.

Those seats look great, fit in very nicely. CTC consoles make some nice-looking equipment, look to be fairly customizeable.
I'll take a look at them, thanks.

Simon,
Those seats look fantastic and I bet make driving the car a whole different (better) experience. Great photo comparing the old OEM seat to the new one, really shows just how worthless those OEM headrests were compared to the new ones that will actually provide some protection in a rear end accident. You mentioned the Morris 3 point belts. I installed a set and love them, also way safer than just a lap belt. Good work and great looking car.
The belts are a definite next purchase upgrade once the seats are in.

Thise look great. What year/model BMW?
2003 325i coupe

Gonna post a build thread with some more upgrades along the way.
Simon

[waynieZ]

[QUOTE=F'in mine;662372]Thanks guys, I like them compared to the flat originals, much more comfortable & better lateral support.

,
Wayne, approx. 1" higher, I'm 6' and have about 2-3" of spare headroom before my head hits the liner.


That means I'll have ---------7" extra. lol I've been looking at them for a few (sad to say) years, but was worried about installing them.

Did you guys mark down any drawings or measurements for what you built to mount them?? They look great by the way!

[F'in mine]

[QUOTE=F'in mine;662372]Thanks guys, I like them compared to the flat originals, much more comfortable & better lateral support.

,
Wayne, approx. 1" higher, I'm 6' and have about 2-3" of spare headroom before my head hits the liner.


That means I'll have ---------7" extra. lol I've been looking at them for a few (sad to say) years, but was worried about installing them.

Did you guys mark down any drawings or measurements for what you built to mount them?? They look great by the way!

If that's the case you'll have plenty of room.......lucky you.

I didn't make any drawings or take measurements, another member here was nice enough to lend a helping hand a couple of times winging it, welding it as we went along.
We had to re-mount the LS pedestals inboard that join to the tracks on the passenger seat and the RS pedestals on the drivers seat.
3/16" x 1.5" flat stock was used to tie the existing tracks together and have somewhere to drill & mount the seats to the stock mounting location.
New seat adjustment front levers were also fabbed out of 1/4" round bar.
Keep in mind that these seats are manually operated and had to switch drivers to passengers and vice versa.
I might have a pic of the welded seat bottom work somewhere and send you a pic.
Quite a bit of work but the end result I think is worth it for this quality of seat for the time being.