stock seat belts with aftermarket seats

I know a few of you guys have aftermarket seats but somehow retained the stock seat belt. I would appreciate any help you can give me on how I can do this myself.

I am currently trying to figure out a solution so I can drive the M Coupe more often. This year I put less than 1000miles on the car and did 2 oil changes. With the 4 point harness it's a hassle for me to get in adjust the belts buckle in then drive off. repeats for return trip.

I also don't feel as safe driving on the street with the 4 point harness (no roll cage).

thanks for your help in advance and happy x-mas to all my couper friends :)

-rick


Rick Kim member of CRS Club
368S/1
02 530ia
Team Dork Racing #2

'00 Dakar Duck CRS Edition
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Can't think of anyone running aftermarket seat and OEM belt. The receiver is part of the oem seat. Also, the belts are designed in such a way to be a system with the OEM seat design. I think you're screwed.

I'll post the final outcome.

Worst comes to worse, you can use the receiver (portion the buckle clips into) from an E30, and disable the airbag warning light.

Main issue of contention is putting the OEM belt through the shoulder harness and side slots on the aftermarket seats. Just makes it cumbersome when putting on the race harnesses.

I've seen it done, and done well.<br />
Nivola 368s/92
2000 M coupe
<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.nivola368s.com" target="_blank"><img width=520 height=240 border=0 src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u71/Nivola368/ZapatitoSig.jpg" alt="Nivola368s.com"></a>

Hi Dan,

If I can only find a black driver seat I can put the passenger seat I got from you to good use :)

I thought there was one or two people who had done this but I can't for the life of me remember who :(

Keep me posted :)

Hey Rick, I have accomplished what you are trying to do, using Recaro Pole Position and Speedware seat base. The receiver for the seat belt bolts onto the seat base. Next time you are in the Bay Area give me a call and you can come check out my setup.

Hi Rick,

I haven't forgotten this thread -- the coupe has been at Edge for some time going through a myriad of maintenance items and upgrades.

We managed to get in a set of Sparco Evos and can use both the 3-point belts for street and 6-point Sparcos for track. I will say getting all three (seats & two sets of belts) to work / fit in tandem was not an easy task.

I'll have pictures posted to my website hopefully in the next week.
<br />
Nivola 368s/92
2000 M coupe
<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.nivola368s.com" target="_blank"><img width=520 height=240 border=0 src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u71/Nivola368/ZapatitoSig.jpg" alt="Nivola368s.com"></a>

to the pics :)


Rick Kim member of CRS Club
368S/1
02 530ia
Team Dork Racing #2

'00 Dakar Duck CRS Edition
http://members.roadfly.com/dakar2m/sig/duck3.gif
Fear the DUCK! :D

Zapatito should be done this week (after some flash and MAF refinements) and alignment work.

Essentially, to keep both OEM belts and the 6-points, we needed to weld in new mounts for the lap-belts -- using the rear lap-belt connectors from an E36 M3. Of course the new mounts were professionally welded with plates and studs for a secure fitting -- probably more secure than the original OEM mounts on the seats themselves.

While this arrangement allows for street driving with the 3-points and tracking with the 6-points, it is very, very labor intensive...

Once everything is done, I will post it on my website.

Rick, if you like, I can always meet you somewhere to show you the set-up in person.<br />
Nivola 368s/92
2000 M coupe
<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.nivola368s.com" target="_blank"><img width=520 height=240 border=0 src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u71/Nivola368/ZapatitoSig.jpg" alt="Nivola368s.com"></a>

How do you all feel about driving on the street without a helmet and without airbags? I'm getting ready to buy aftermarket seats and I wasn't planning to use the stock belts again, but I'm concerned about the safety of being on the street without airbags with my harness on and no helmet, obviously :)

Or am I missing something and you've re-enabled the airbags some how without the stock seat?

Put those question another way - what's safer, A) stock belt with airbags, B) 4, 5 or 6 point harness no airbags but no helmet ?

IMO the safest is C) harness, no airbags, helmet on with HANS, but that doesn't work on the street...

-Ron
99 M Coupe, stock

I was pretty close to buying the driver side seat from a salvage yard for $800bucks...

any estimate on how much it cost so far?

-rick


Rick Kim member of CRS Club
368S/1
02 530ia
Team Dork Racing #2

'00 Dakar Duck CRS Edition
http://members.roadfly.com/dakar2m/sig/duck3.gif
Fear the DUCK! :D

Hi Rick,

Haven't forgotten about you. Starting from scratch (installing new seats and a dual harness / OEM belt set-up) figure on 8+ hours per seat, T&M.

You will need:

1) Someone with very-good/exceptional welding skills.
2) Someone who is very meticulous.

E-mail me for the details.

-B.<br />
Nivola 368s/92
2000 M coupe
<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.nivola368s.com" target="_blank"><img width=520 height=240 border=0 src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u71/Nivola368/ZapatitoSig.jpg" alt="Nivola368s.com"></a>

VAC sells adapter plates for $15 that bolt into their floor plates. I have some on order and can report back my success/misery.

are they for sale...if so what color are they?

maybe a picture of the part? I looked around their website but I wasn't able to find it.

Thank you,
-rick


Rick Kim member of CRS Club
368S/1
02 530ia
Team Dork Racing #2

'00 Dakar Duck CRS Edition
http://members.roadfly.com/dakar2m/sig/duck3.gif
Fear the DUCK! :D