Recaro Seats - am I on to a winner?

[Kemlo]

Hi,

I've seen quite a few sets of Recaro front seats for sale on ebay - for not that much money, unfortunately - not e30 ones, even though some do look similar

Has anyone bought non e30 recaros and changed the frame? How easy is it to do?

Thanks

[capri_rob]

There was a red touring on here a while ago with RS Turbo Recaros which looked awesome.

Other Recaros from the same era should be able to fit with a little fettling - 2.8 Capri, Opel Manta, Astra GTE should yield some which won't break the bank.

[StuBeeDoo]

To do it properly isn't that easy.
You'll need to source the Recaro aftermarket subframe adaptors or get someone to fabricate you a set - if you can't weld to MOT standard yourself. Then you'll need to get busy with an angle grinder. After that you'll need to re-stitch the base bolster covers.

...... And if you're 5'11" or taller, don't bother - your head will be wedged against the headlining.

RSTurdo ones can be made to fit on the Ford runners, but doing it that way isn't an option if you're over 5'8".

Sierra Cosworth ones won't fit unless you go the route I described above.

[capri_rob]

Sierra Cosworth and RS Turbo Recaro seat bases are both quite deep IIRC, whereas the Capri/Manta style ones have much flatter bases so shouldn't cause issues with headroom.

[bss325i]

Sierra cosworth recaros and slightly bigger than Escort RS turbo ones and the sierra ones are the closest match in size and shape to E30 ones out of similar shape ones from Capri 3/manta 2/escort 3 and 4/golf 2/rover 800 and 600.

[StuBeeDoo]

Sapphire Cosworth Recaros modded as I described above and re-trimmed (centre cushions with E30 cloth).

[d6dph]

They do look good Stu, Who retrimmed them?

[StuBeeDoo]

They do look good Stu, Who retrimmed them?

Local firm called TrimFit Dave.

OT.... Did you get my e-mail??

[mattrs]

I bought a drift 325i with rs turbo reccaros already installed, haven't a clue how difficult a job it is but they held you well when driving enthusiastically and looked pretty cool too!

[d6dph]

Stripes? I wasn't sure which Stuart that was

Yeah I did but didn't get around to replying. I'll email back in a second mate.

[StuBeeDoo]

I wasn't sure which Stuart that was

Ooops! Silly old Stu!.....

[XRMike]

I have Fiesta RS1800 Recaro's one mine. I found it easy to fit them, it took less than 2 hours all in! I had to make up two brackets and get a bit welded but it was nothing too serious. They allow me to sit comfortably and theres lots of head room too.

[Kemlo]

Thanks for the responses guys - it's given me a bit of food for thought.

[StuBeeDoo]

Sierra cosworth recaros and slightly bigger than Escort RS turbo ones

..... But only in terms of runner spacing. The distance across the bolsters is the same so they take up the same space in the car. The backrests are interchangable on the bases.

[Torsen]

So, what´s the difference between fiesta/escort/sierra Recaros (leaving runners apart)?.
Is there any difference in size, shape, bolsters?. They look the same to me.
Also, what kind of adjusts do they have?.

[StuBeeDoo]

So, what´s the difference between fiesta/escort/sierra Recaros (leaving runners apart)?.
Is there any difference in size, shape, bolsters?. They look the same to me.
Also, what kind of adjusts do they have?.

I've never had a close look at Fiesta Recaros.
The Escort and Sierra ones have adaptor frames welded to the base frame to enable them to fit to the standard Ford runners. I imagine the same would apply to the Fiesta ones.

[StuBeeDoo]

Stripes? I wasn't sure which Stuart that was

Yeah I did but didn't get around to replying. I'll email back in a second mate.

Nothing arrived this end yet Dave.