Basically, I don't want to pay $400/seat for new seats, but the stockers don't have big enough side bolsters and I have to spend have of my concentration and energy while driving fast trying to stay put in the seats. So, I thought about yanking the seat covers off, and welding some side bolster wire frames, padding them with closed cell foam, cutting out new fabric on the pattern of the old fabric, sewing it together, and recovering the new improved seats. Anyone, anyone? Bueller?

Dan

 

That should be half of my concentration.

Dan

 

look around the salvage yards. most gm "n-body" bucket seats will bolt in if you use the stock f-body seat tracks. any 1982-2002 camaro/firebird seat will also fit.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=101074

 

How about the 4th gen T/A seats? My 00 has em and with the adjustable bolsters is definetly a plus. I say get some 4th gen T/A seats

 

I had my front seats reupholstered back in '94 on my '86, and when I did it I had them use the old covers for a pattern which created a slightly larger cover than original due to stretching over the years. Then I had them install the new covers with extra stuffing. They look absolutely stock, but are definately more comfortable than stock, and have better lateral support. The seats rub against the center console due to the overstuffing, but that doesn't hurt anything.

 

Lance, were they able to get a matching fabric? The reason I ask is the seats in my 84 are faded, and I don't think the fabric is made anymore.

I've attached a picture to show my driver's seat.

 

Thanks for the replies, that's something I didn't know, that the 4th gen seats have adjustable bolsters. I'll look into that more.

Dan

 

Another consideration is the Lear/Seigler Conteur seat, which was an option in early to mid 80's Camaros. The driver's seat has adjustable bolsters, not only on the back but also on the seat cushion. Moreover, there are lumbar and thigh adjustments. Mine sits on a six-way electric track, so the number of adjustments are numerous.

JamesC

 

The Ultima seats, often called GTA seats also have the side bolsters, that are adjustable...

John

 

My *** isn't fat and I'm not over wieght, so this isn't a problem for me, my seats are very comfy and support me at high speeds very well.

 

just a word of advice, the thirdgen seats are more comfortable than fourth, even in leather... Never heard any info as to how well the lumbar or adjustable bolsters work...

 

I did something similar with my ’83 when I was autox’ing it. I’ve got a fairly narrow butt for someone my size and got tired of tieing the seatbelt in a knot and sinching it down to keep me in my seat.

I took the cover off the seat bottom, and conveniently found that the pieces of ½ inch particle board that were left over from making cutouts for 6x9 speakers were just about perfect. I took 2 of them, rounded the outside edges and attached them to the inside of the frame for the lower side bolsters and then forced the padding back over that and put the cover back on with some hog rings. Couldn’t have worked better. It also made it impossible for my wife to sit in the seat without actually sitting across the bolsters

 

Now, that's info I can use. The car is mine, the van is hers. Besides, I've got 8 inches and a hundred pounds on her, I don't think it'll be a problem.

Dan

 

take a look at the olds achieva seats, the bolsters are nonadjustable but are a considerably thicker than the stock f-body ones.

 

All I can say is I had had my share of third gens and driven in countless others. My 00 T/A absolutly killed me for about the first week driving in it. But finally after playing with the seat all the tim eit is perfeect. I have done 6 1500mi trips in it non stop and could hardly call them uncomfortable. Even my mother boyfriend said it was better then my mothers SL 500. So how bad can they be? If they are adjusted wrong you will swear up and down how ****ty they are but when adjusted you will love them. As for lumbar and articulating sides they work perfectly and I have no complaints. The lumbar is about as comfortable as my Eldorado.

 

I agree. I went from bogus '83 Z28 seats to '95 leather TA seats. The fourth gen TA seats own all other seats. You can adjust the bolsters until they are pinching you in. They are by far more comfortable than my old seats. The only reason why people find them uncomfortable is because as soon as they get them they set the lumbar to max. I almost never use the lumbar support, and most people don't need to. With the lumbar turned off, these are the most comfortable seats by far.

At work I actually go outside and take my breaks in my car because my seats are so comfortable.

 

That's not a personal attack is it? Maybe bigman is like me, I am 6'3" and 250, but not fat!

Mark

 

Any upholstery shop worth anything should be able to get your fabric. But since it isn't being made anymore, the price will just keep going up over time. I can still get original fabric for my '63 Nova, but the price has got to be astronomical, it was the last time I checked (glad I bought a complete roll back around '81 or so).

The point is, you should be able to get the materials, but you may be hard pressed to get the fabric and get the new covers made for under $400 per seat. You might consider getting the fabric now, and have the covers made later.

 

These babies do me just fine. There is no equal

:hail: :hail: :hail: :hail:

 

WTF are those? Those are slick!!!!

 

I'm 6'1 and 180 right now. My goal (until I reach it and set another) is 200. I'm very cut, though, and plan on staying that way so it may take me a while to get up there. I wish I was 250 without fat .

 

Thoes are Recaros.

Fu*king Bad *** seatssssss.....

 

Whenever I looked on the recaro site, all the seats were fugly, i would have remember good seats like that

 

there Recaro Seats, trust us, I have seen them in junk yards. the little emblem in the middle of the seatbacks, if you look really close reads RECARO

John

 

stuart,

Pontiac first used the Recaro's in the 1981 T/A NASCAR pace car.

In 3rd gens the can be found in the 1982 Recaro Edition as cloth.

There are in the Daytona pace car in 83 and the 83 Recaro Edition
as leather.

In 1984 they were in the Recaro Edition and the 15th Anniversary Trans Ams, again as leather

In 85 the Recaro Edition was dropped but the seats (RPO AS5) could be added as an option. This version is cloth. The option lasted until 1986.

The cloth is not very durable so thats why you dont see many left.

Hope this helps !

Don

 

ahh, they were offered on our cars too, thats cool. I believed you, just didn't see it on here site, I will have to check again. I have read the White book and Red Book and since they didnt have pics of the seats, I never knew what they were talking about. I wonder if they say they were Recaro, i will check when I get home to my books...