Made my own seat rails GE8

[Redrocket172]

Hi,

So I have a pair of Recaros from an Evo 7 lying around and have been looking for a set of rails to suit my GE8.

Turns out my cheapest option is around $300 a side for Bride rails, bit out of my budget...

I decided to make my own today.

Went to the hardware store in search of flat steel bars.
This particular store only had either 3mm or 6mm thick by 50mm wide.
6mm would definitely be more sturdy but would've been a btch to bend, so I went with the 3mm.
Need about 3metres a side.
So 6m costed me $32

So I took off the standard seats and followed the standard rail and bent a section at a time until I was happy with the shape.
http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-f78a-5351.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-f798-df40.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-f7ea-280b.jpg

You would want the height of the rail to be level with the top of the slider of the standard seat, otherwise it won't clear the floor

http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-f842-99a7.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-f8ce-5aca.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-f8e6-42df.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-f8f2-7713.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-f903-7d3c.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-fa2f-aa69.jpg

So there u have it
I was in the zone in the middle part so didn't stop to take photos
Since I used a thinner bar, I have some more reinforcing to do. (will post some more pics of the rails when I do)

These are fixed rails, but I could easily bolt universal sliders on top

They're no Brides, but it does the job at a fraction of the price.

[BiLL|z0r]

Nice work. How did the seats bolt onto the rails. Just bolt underneath?

[Bludger]

why not make a DIy for DIY forum?

[Redrocket172]

Yeah just the four bolts that are required to bolt the seat on.

We thinking about making a DIY but then didn't take enough pictures and couldn't be bothered going into more detail.

I'll be doing some reinforcements on Monday, so I might take some more pictures and edit the post a bit

[Bludger]

nice 1

[DLO01]

Honestly? In its current form is pretty doggy. In an accident (head on) the seat and yourself will want to tilt forward and the rails you made will compress/bend and fail at the front. This movement could have catastrophic consequences. The brackets are not 'locked in' and will flex and move as it pleases. The few kgs of the seat and your weight will multiply ten-flold in an accident. Even with seat belts on its not a good idea. Bottom line - you should not mess with this stuff. Get approved rails. You cannot put a price on this sorta stuff. All good for your efforts/intentions though.

[CRXDEL501]

Yeah I agree with dean
Dodge and definitely not safe
I would not recommend this to anyone, but good effort none the less

[EKVTIR-T]

Yeah,far better off with some made in taiwan universal rails they sell in australia these days

[CRXDEL501]

Yeah,far better off with some made in taiwan universal rails they sell in australia these days

Well get him to make you some if you think these would do a fantastic job in an accident

[Redrocket172]

I do agree in its current form it is prone to flexing, there definitely needs to be some reinforcement.

But what do u mean by not 'locked in'?

The shape is the same as the standard rails, bolted on to the standard holes on the chassis.

[Stevil]

Mate nice Job, Íve got some 70x3mm plate that I'll be using to make some rails for my FD (mine will be only used on the track thou).

As to these not being strong enough thats bullshit. I made a similar set up for a custom 4wd and they were engineering without a hassle. Sure they dont have the curve of stock rails but they are probably thicker steel. Go on and have a look at your stock honda rails, they are puny

[GU357]

stevil and DL01 have a good point, just remember though that insurance definitely wont cover u if u crash. and these have not been proven to be as resistant or strong as the original ones, sure they might look beefier but I'm sure Honda knew what they were doing when they made the rails, the Honda rails have bends horizontally and vertically to help oppose flex and torsion which these ones don't.
As far as design goes you have done an amazing job, but "be safe, be stock"

my bride one which cost me 250$ is way thicker then that + plus powder coated.
extremely beefed with triangulating braces and such.

beef yours up A LOT. or make adapters using 6mm plate.
should just make adaptors they would be much stronger

[DLO01]

I do agree in its current form it is prone to flexing, there definitely needs to be some reinforcement.

But what do u mean by not 'locked in'?

The shape is the same as the standard rails, bolted on to the standard holes on the chassis.

A 'flat' piece of steel can bend up and down, its got no support. You'll never bend it side to side though. Have a look at your stock rails, they won't be flat. They probably have rolled or folded edges or extruded box section to give it strength.

[GU357]

yeh as DL01 said they will have bends accross them to oppose torsion

[chunsa]

What did you do about the seat airbags? Does removing your OEM seats disable anything related to other airbags?

[Redrocket172]

Right, so now I've reinforced the sides by welding a piece of 25mm x 5mm flat bar to help reduce flex

http://img.tapatalk.com/7bf3129a-be0e-40ac.jpg

The removing one airbag does not affect the system.
I have plugged a 2.2ohm resistor into the airbag plug to trick it into thinking an airbag is there.
This also prevents the airbag light coming on.

[BiLL|z0r]

I commend you on the DIY but I think I'd rather the airbag working myself and plus your insurance is now void if it involves an accident where the seat or airbag would have been involved.

[GU357]

I commend you on the DIY but I think I'd rather the airbag working myself and plus your insurance is now void if it involves an accident where the seat or airbag would have been involved.
which is pretty much any accident, seeing as your sitting on it LOL

[BiLL|z0r]

Basically. Unless it's parked and someone runs into you or you scrape the bumpers on a piler or something cosmedic.