Interior Discussion about interior restoration, repairs, and modifications.

More leg room please

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-29-2010, 10:00 AM
  #1  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
jazzdadss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 686
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC LSX
Engine: 5.7 TPI - LS1 Forged by LME
Transmission: 700r4 - 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23 - 3.73
More leg room please

What is the best way to get more leg room?
1989 IROC Power seat.
New holes in floor, New holes in seat track or seat frame??
I'm 6.2 And don't like laying down while driving, Just need the seat to go back further.
Old 01-29-2010, 10:08 AM
  #2  
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: More leg room please

I'm 6' 5", 36" inseam (only us tall guys can understand how the extra inseam length effects our legroom situation). Putting in 4th gen seats really helped & I haven't wanted them further back now.
Old 01-29-2010, 10:11 AM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
58mark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 89 rs, 86 Trans Am
Engine: RS-V6... Trans Am-LG4
Transmission: RS-T5... Trans Am 700r4
Re: More leg room please

I'm 6'8" (really) and think the leg room isn't too bad considering it's a sports car, but it is interesting to hear that the 4th gen seats might make things better
Old 01-29-2010, 10:28 AM
  #4  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
jazzdadss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 686
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC LSX
Engine: 5.7 TPI - LS1 Forged by LME
Transmission: 700r4 - 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23 - 3.73
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by Stephen
I'm 6' 5", 36" inseam (only us tall guys can understand how the extra inseam length effects our legroom situation). Putting in 4th gen seats really helped & I haven't wanted them further back now.
Did you swap tracks and all or just the seat?
Old 01-29-2010, 10:59 AM
  #5  
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by jazzdadss
Did you swap tracks and all or just the seat?
4th gen seats & 4th gen seat tracks. Pulled them out of a 4th gen & boltetd them in my 3rd gen. 100% direct bolt-in.

If you try to put in 4th gen power seats, you'll hafta adapt the wiring to each other. I use manual seats. Nobody but me driving anyways. Slide them all the way back one time & I'm done.
Old 01-29-2010, 11:00 AM
  #6  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
58mark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 89 rs, 86 Trans Am
Engine: RS-V6... Trans Am-LG4
Transmission: RS-T5... Trans Am 700r4
Re: More leg room please

you'll have to let me sit in your car in June so I can feel the difference
Old 01-29-2010, 01:00 PM
  #7  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (4)
 
jensen73110's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 1,049
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L +bolt ons
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Moser forged, 3.73, SLP posi
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by Stephen
I'm 6' 5", 36" inseam (only us tall guys can understand how the extra inseam length effects our legroom situation). Putting in 4th gen seats really helped & I haven't wanted them further back now.
Same inseam, same seats & tracks, so I'll second this. I have no desire for more leg room now.
Old 01-29-2010, 01:19 PM
  #8  
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by 58mark
you'll have to let me sit in your car in June so I can feel the difference
Sure. Gotta say this though...Gonna be WEIRD (to me) to be looking UP to somebody. I've had to do that to THREE PEOPLE in my entire life. Obviously I don't go to any NBA games, huh?

The 4th gen seats do sit lower, which helps with headroom too. Now that my GTA is lowered, it is like "falling" into my car! But I still love it & wouldn't change a thing.
Old 01-29-2010, 01:43 PM
  #9  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
58mark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 89 rs, 86 Trans Am
Engine: RS-V6... Trans Am-LG4
Transmission: RS-T5... Trans Am 700r4
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by Stephen
Sure. Gotta say this though...Gonna be WEIRD (to me) to be looking UP to somebody. I've had to do that to THREE PEOPLE in my entire life.

you must have been a very tall child .... just kidding

I used to work with somebody who was 7'1"... that was interesting
Old 01-29-2010, 03:11 PM
  #10  
Senior Member

iTrader: (5)
 
KYLE87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
Re: More leg room please

Im 6'3, the fourth gen seats worked for me.
Old 01-29-2010, 07:15 PM
  #11  
Supreme Member
TGO - 10 Year Member
iTrader: (15)
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 12,666
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 48 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am, 92 Firebird
Engine: 408 sbc, 3.1L of raw power
Transmission: TKO600, T5
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3:70 trutac, 3:23 torsion
Re: More leg room please

here is a conundrum for you guys. im 6'6", 36 inseam. I didnt have a lot of legroom in my 86, i made brackets to bolt to the bottom of the stock seat tracks and to the floor to move the seat back about 2.5-3". Gave me lots of room. Was the same with the stock seats and now with the 91 gta power seats i have in it now.

Then i bought my 92, it has stock seats, stock location and i have the same amount of legroom as i do now in my 86 with the relocation brackets, even though the 92 does not have them. whats the deal? did the floor mounts or the seat tracks change over the years?
Old 01-29-2010, 07:24 PM
  #12  
Member
 
Red87SC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: silverton/salem, oregon
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 87 Trans am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: built 700R4
Axle/Gears: BW 9 bolt posi w/ disc
Re: More leg room please

im 6'5 and after the change to 4th gen seats, all the leg room problems were solved.
Old 01-29-2010, 07:36 PM
  #13  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
58mark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 89 rs, 86 Trans Am
Engine: RS-V6... Trans Am-LG4
Transmission: RS-T5... Trans Am 700r4
Re: More leg room please

dang, ya'll are really making me want 4th gen seats!
Old 01-29-2010, 08:13 PM
  #14  
Senior Member

iTrader: (5)
 
KYLE87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
Re: More leg room please

Delete

Last edited by KYLE87; 01-29-2021 at 12:07 AM.
Old 01-29-2010, 08:22 PM
  #15  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
58mark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 89 rs, 86 Trans Am
Engine: RS-V6... Trans Am-LG4
Transmission: RS-T5... Trans Am 700r4
Re: More leg room please

there's a guy in mansfield that parts out 4th gens, but he never seems to have anything that doesn't already have holes in it.

I'll find something eventually, I check craigslist about 90 times a day
Old 01-29-2010, 09:28 PM
  #16  
Junior Member
 
jmhastings's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Beech Island, SC
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1985 TA, 2000 TA
Engine: 305FI, LS1
Transmission: 700R4, T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23, 4.10
Re: More leg room please

I'm 6'5", and I know what you mean. In my 2000 the seats are great, but in the 85 it was uncomfortable. What I did was rather simple. I took some 3/16 flat stock, cut about 3-4" long. Drilled 2 holes in each. Removed my driver's seat, and bolted the strips in to the bottom mounting holes in the seat frame, then reinstalled the seat now using the stock to bolt to the floor. Results, it changes the seat angle slightly more upright and gave me just to right amount of travel in the seat.
Old 01-30-2010, 01:49 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
ellocojorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 camaro rs
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: t5
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by 58mark
there's a guy in mansfield that parts out 4th gens, but he never seems to have anything that doesn't already have holes in it.

I'll find something eventually, I check craigslist about 90 times a day
there was a full set of clotch 4thgen seat for 80 dollars a few weeks back
Old 01-30-2010, 02:02 AM
  #18  
Supreme Member

 
itsMikey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: More leg room please

im 5'8" i drive with my steering wheel on my knees.. haha
Old 01-30-2010, 07:23 AM
  #19  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
58mark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 89 rs, 86 Trans Am
Engine: RS-V6... Trans Am-LG4
Transmission: RS-T5... Trans Am 700r4
Re: More leg room please

LOL, I offered him 60, and went to look at them. They weren't worth 60 when I got over there.
Old 01-30-2010, 08:57 AM
  #20  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
jazzdadss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 686
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC LSX
Engine: 5.7 TPI - LS1 Forged by LME
Transmission: 700r4 - 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23 - 3.73
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\

Then i bought my 92, it has stock seats, stock location and i have the same amount of legroom as i do now in my 86 with the relocation brackets, even though the 92 does not have them. whats the deal? did the floor mounts or the seat tracks change over the years?
That is a mighty fine question, If that were the case we could just get the newer tracks and retain the factory seat for that OE look.

Anyone know if the seat track Part #s changed around early 90s???

Also, We are talking 4th gen seats including from 1993-2008 ??

Last edited by jazzdadss; 01-30-2010 at 09:32 AM. Reason: had another q.
Old 02-03-2010, 12:16 AM
  #21  
Junior Member
 
YoungDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '84 Camaro Z28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700-R4
Re: More leg room please

Hey, im wondering what it might cost to get the 4th gen seats in my 3rd. im just more worried about headroom than anything else. anything i can do to my current seats to cet a bit more clearance?
Old 02-03-2010, 12:30 AM
  #22  
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by YoungDriver
Hey, im wondering what it might cost to get the 4th gen seats in my 3rd. im just more worried about headroom than anything else. anything i can do to my current seats to cet a bit more clearance?
The cost (to get 4th gen seats in) would depend on how much you can buy the seats for. Cheaper the seats, the cheaper the cost, since they are a 100% direct bolt-in. If you get power seats, you'll just hafta do a little wire splicing.
Old 02-03-2010, 06:38 AM
  #23  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
58mark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 89 rs, 86 Trans Am
Engine: RS-V6... Trans Am-LG4
Transmission: RS-T5... Trans Am 700r4
Re: More leg room please

watch craigslist. I see sets all time here for 50-75$, but that's with a drivers side seat that mas a hole in it (it's so common you would swear they came from the factory that way)

For a really nice set, You can expect to pay at least $150
Old 02-06-2010, 01:48 AM
  #24  
Member
 
MikeSmith0890's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Muncie, Indiana
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 2.8L, hopefully upgrading..
Transmission: BorgWarner T5, Made here in Muncie
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: More leg room please

Honestly i have had no problems with headroom nor legroom in my 83 sport coupe with stock manual seats. I'm 6'4 and switch between a 36" and 34" inseam, i just slide the seat all the way back and it fits me perfect.
Old 02-07-2010, 05:17 PM
  #25  
Supreme Member
 
Iroctopless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Killam, AB
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: 1989 IrocZ Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5 - 5 Speed Standard
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by MikeSmith0890
Honestly i have had no problems with headroom nor legroom in my 83 sport coupe with stock manual seats. I'm 6'4 and switch between a 36" and 34" inseam, i just slide the seat all the way back and it fits me perfect.
Same here. I'm @ 6'6" and same inseam. My '89 fits me well, plus it's a 5spd! No problems shifting either.
As for head clearance, no issues with the top down.
Old 02-07-2010, 05:42 PM
  #26  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (56)
 
articwhiteZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 3,767
Received 90 Likes on 84 Posts
Car: 92 Lingenfelter Z28 articwhite
Engine: Aluminum 615BBC
Transmission: Th400wbrake/curri entps9" locker
Axle/Gears: 4.11/4.30/4.56
Re: More leg room please

my 92 z28 had power seats i just installed aftermarket seats and used pasgr side rails on the driver side..

sombody asked if the rails are still the same.. they look to Be the same.
i used reg 80's camaro rails in my 92..i know the power seats will go lower
and back 2" to 3" more, then the reg manl rails.

if your none power seats are not going back all the way check to see your slider is going all the way back.. when they start to fail. yon cant go all the way back by 1 to 2"
Old 02-07-2010, 06:00 PM
  #27  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
58mark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mesquite, Texas
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 89 rs, 86 Trans Am
Engine: RS-V6... Trans Am-LG4
Transmission: RS-T5... Trans Am 700r4
Re: More leg room please

you know, I find the leg room in 3rd gens to be acceptable, but If I can get an extra inch or two by installing 3rd gen seats, that's money well spent
Old 02-07-2010, 06:06 PM
  #28  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (56)
 
articwhiteZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 3,767
Received 90 Likes on 84 Posts
Car: 92 Lingenfelter Z28 articwhite
Engine: Aluminum 615BBC
Transmission: Th400wbrake/curri entps9" locker
Axle/Gears: 4.11/4.30/4.56
Re: More leg room please

when i did my roll bar. the back bar sways out, to the back, to Give me more room (seat all the way back) fits fantastic.. (thats what it was made for)
Old 02-07-2010, 06:10 PM
  #29  
Senior Member
 
DacMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: More leg room please

6'6 32x38, yeah try finding pants when your all legs, I have to special order them from levi lol. Ofcourse a thirdgen is better than the opel gt I was looking at before it, my buddy's got a miata and I can't drive it, because the drives side door won't shut when I'm in it. lol.
Old 02-07-2010, 08:31 PM
  #30  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
yevgenievich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: college station, texas
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: numerous
Engine: ls1, others
Transmission: t56, others
Axle/Gears: 3.23 7.6"
Re: More leg room please

anybody know if i can use my stock manual rails with a fourth gen seat?
Old 02-07-2010, 08:37 PM
  #31  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
jazzdadss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 686
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC LSX
Engine: 5.7 TPI - LS1 Forged by LME
Transmission: 700r4 - 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23 - 3.73
Re: More leg room please

Still trying to figure that one out. I know where there is a seat or two may be I can do some measuring tomorrow after I get my exhaust fixed....

George.
Old 02-07-2010, 09:10 PM
  #32  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
yevgenievich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: college station, texas
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: numerous
Engine: ls1, others
Transmission: t56, others
Axle/Gears: 3.23 7.6"
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by jazzdadss
Still trying to figure that one out. I know where there is a seat or two may be I can do some measuring tomorrow after I get my exhaust fixed....

George.
exhaust was the last thing on my list, drove to San Antonio and back with no exhaust and got puled over to check the tint . Let me know if you figure out the seats.

Last edited by yevgenievich; 02-07-2010 at 09:36 PM.
Old 02-09-2010, 01:08 PM
  #33  
Member
 
Gordiggz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1983 Z-28
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: ?
Re: More leg room please

I've never had a problem with my stock seats in both my 88 and 89 firebird. They were both manual seats, bone stock. I'm 6'2" w/ 38x32 and I drive with the seat one notch, maybe two, forward of all the way back...plenty of room. Are the firebird seats considerably different? I always thought they were basically the same firebird=camaro.
Old 02-09-2010, 01:16 PM
  #34  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
yevgenievich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: college station, texas
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: numerous
Engine: ls1, others
Transmission: t56, others
Axle/Gears: 3.23 7.6"
Re: More leg room please

i can fit in mine for daily driving but with the helmet on i have to recline too far back. I can still reach everything but it's not a best position for competitive driving.
Old 01-10-2024, 01:53 PM
  #35  
Junior Member
 
Dthrash89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: Arlington, WA
Posts: 10
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: More leg room please

I'm also 6' 3", were the stock seats tolerable? Looking at picking up a 3rd gen for my first car
Old 01-24-2024, 09:31 PM
  #36  
Member

iTrader: (3)
 
rdhanded2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 476
Received 23 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 91 TA / 91 Formula
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: More leg room please

Originally Posted by Dthrash89
I'm also 6' 3", were the stock seats tolerable? Looking at picking up a 3rd gen for my first car
I'm 6'2" and I don't have any issues. They make adapters to move them back a couple inches. Not sure if this is the correct one, but it is like this:

Amazon Amazon
Old 01-25-2024, 11:41 AM
  #37  
Junior Member
 
Dthrash89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: Arlington, WA
Posts: 10
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: More leg room please

Gotcha. I guess I'll see for myself when i pick up my first 3rd gen, worst comes to worst I spend 50 bucks.
Old 01-31-2024, 09:32 PM
  #38  
Member

 
roadthrills's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Northern Arkansas
Posts: 411
Received 72 Likes on 47 Posts
Car: 1982 MSE, 1988 S10 Blazer
Engine: 305 in both!
Transmission: 200c / Th700r4
Axle/Gears: 3:73 / 3.42
Re: More leg room please

I'm 6'8" and a 36" inseam is just barely adequate. I've owned SEVERAL third gens and never had any legroom issues. I have to say though, the Recaros in my MSE and my Daytona 500 are closer to the floor for headroom AND a bit farther back than the normal buckets.
Old 02-19-2024, 07:03 AM
  #39  
Junior Member
 
earlan357's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1987 Z28
Engine: 305 LG4 (CC Q-Jet)
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt 3.23
Re: More leg room please

You can also find some Fiero seat rails. They fit factory seats and floors perfectly but drop the seat about 1.5”. The sliders are also straight instead of arched, so you don’t lose thigh support if you slide forward. I’m 6’1” 34/34 and was able to steepen my seatback with the sliders 2 notches from full back. Also more clearance between the steering wheel and my legs.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
seanof30306
Body
3
12-12-2005 08:32 PM
onebluemcm
Body
1
05-07-2005 01:12 PM
Dante93GTZ
Body
10
03-14-2004 07:03 PM
Black Blurrrr
Body
1
08-31-2002 06:36 AM



Quick Reply: More leg room please



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:00 AM.