JDM EJ2

After searching, I could not find a comprehensive DIY on how to do this the correct way, more so speculation from multiple members. I decided to post the process step by step as I tackle the issues related to this swap. The car they are going into is a 1999 MR EM1. I've got DB8 front seats installed, and after pricing out reupholstery work, it seemed more logical to give this a try. I picked the seats up from a local seller for $80 delivered to my job. After a thorough cleaning, they looked 10x better.

Upon primary installation, I found the issues I was going to have to overcome. Firstly, the release clips which allow the seats to fold down are off about 2 inches on each side. Secondly, the lower seat back brackets which attach to the body are 1 bolt on the 07-12 seats, and 2 bolts on the stock EM1 seats. The 06-11 body mounts were not included with the purchase of my seats so I will have to rectify this issue. Luckily, it looks like the center pivot bracket should keep everything lined up correctly. This is a big one because without that being where it is, I don't think this swap could be done without major modification to the vehicle. As for the seat bottom, it fits, very snugly. The one bolt bracket is on the exact opposite side of where it is on the EM1. Also, the 2 male ends of the lower seat cushion are about 6 inches off from the female ends of the body.

I will keep everyone posted on the fix for these issues. I am going to attempt to keep the modification to the seats as opposed to the body. Stay tuned.

JDM EJ2

Pictures of fitment issues

Nave43

I was expecting a hack job. Then i read this "I am going to attempt to keep the modification to the seats as opposed to the body." and subscribed.

tony_2018

You should re-use the hooks from your old rear seats. Thats my plans for the sedan si rear seats in 00 sedan. I actually have a little more work to do though. The bolsters will need to be trimmed down on mine, you don't have them because this is for a coupe.

K20A3F00L

What happened to your original EM1 seats? Looking good, can't wait to see the finished product.

StokelesS_g2

Damn, that looks nice.
I wouldn't even care for the split fold down feature.

JDM EJ2

Yeah I've seen too many done incorrectly. I saw one guy who did them right, but he wouldn't reveal his secrets. I am going to be transparent because I am sick of people destroying these cars. Be the change you want to see in the world lol

I didn't want to chop up the stock EM1 seats, I may pick up a set of donor EJ8 seats to hack up.. Post your progress too, lets help the Honda world

I'm holding onto them, they are mint. I'm keeping every part I pull of this car, it was a virgin when I got it. I picked it up in Miami, FL 2 years ago from the original 55 year old owner

Thanks man, they match the ITR's nearly perfectly. Since the DB8 bottom foam and DC2 fold downs are not easy to come by, (nor cheap), I figured this would be more economical. I want to retain full function of the seats though.. Keep things stock-ish

tony_2018

Yes, get donor seats from a pull a part, it could be from a sedan. Just cut the hook off in a way where all you'll need to do is use self tapping screws to hold them in place on the new seats.

As for the bottom portion, you might have to cut it open and reuse the same seat clips from your original as well, or donor. I believe its 1 whole wire frame.

tony_2018

Well...since its raining outside I guess I'll work on this little project of mine before changing out my sedan interior panels to dark grey.

tony_2018

My 40 split seat actually lined up with the lock but my 60 split was off. Either way I had to cut both hooks because the 40 split was sitting lower than the 60 split.

I used a dremel and cut off a little bit of the hook and used some vice grips to bend and break the rest off of the seat. Now I just need to weld on new ones. My concern right now is that the ej6 sedan rear seats probably have the hooks welded onto a bar as well, which means I'll have to shop at the local hardware store to make new hooks. We'll see.

JDM EJ2

Ok so a little update on the progress I made this weekend..

Structurally, I was not too keen on cutting and welding the seat frames because of safety and cleanliness of the job. I went onto a local Facebook Honda swap forum and found a set of EJ8 rear seats for $40. After an hour and half round trip, (30 minutes allotted for a trip to Chipotle), I had the seats in my possession. Upon getting them home, I began the process of disassembly. Its not very difficult to get the seat frames out, you have to pull apart the 75 or so hog rings (total of all sections of the rear seat) which hold the seat covers to the foam. The following pictures show during the process and after. The plan is to swap in the EK seat back frames to the Si rear seats. As for the seat bottom.. I'm not sure yet. The seat cover will fit onto the EK bottom seat foam, but I don't think it will fit correctly.. The frame on the seat bottoms is built into the foam and not removable without cutting into the foam, which is something I am trying to avoid. So at this moment, I am going to focus my energy on the seat backs, then figure out how to make the bottom work. Stay tuned.

JDM EJ2

If my $40 attempt fails, I will also be going to the cutting and welding route. This week is going to be tough. Unless my schedule changes, I will not be able to tackle the swap for a couple of weeks.

tony_2018

You probably will have to cut and weld in the head rest holders onto the ek seats.

For me I have to keep my rear seat pans because of the arm rest on the 60 split so I have to go the route of cutting off the hooks and mounting/bolt-on/weld-on new ones.

edit: HAHA, after looking at yours I think I know what to do.

JDM EJ2

What were you thinking?

tony_2018

Since the hooks are welded to the bars I'll cut the bars off and fit them onto the new seats.

I'll mount the seats onto the lower brackets 1st and then line it up on the top part. I'll have to find a way to make it connect to the seats, either weld it or bolt it on.

REDEM1FTW

Any more updates? Im interested in doing this to my em1

tony_2018

haha, slow progress on my end. I was able to purchase the front si seats as well so my interior is almost complete.

boostedem123

I have this done to my em1. However my bottom seats aren't bolted in but they are snug enough to move around so its not really to my concern. As far as mounting the rest of my seats it was fairly easier and somehow managed to line everything up

tony_2018

But are the secured to the original locks?

JDM EJ2

Boy it has been a while since I have been on this, my apologies gentleman, Since posting this I quit my job, travelled the US for the summer, bought a K20R swapped EP3, sold said EP3, picked up a 2001 NHBP Integra Type R, and just got a new job at Honda. Its been a little crazy to say the least. Updates on this project coming soon.

tony_2018

I know this thread is about the rear seats but I actually got some progress today for the front. I had went to the pull a part and grabe the front seat rails couple weeks back. I took my dremel and bought metal cutting and metal grinding wheels. The metal cutting wheels worked but they started to deteriorate alot quicker. I tested out the metal grinding wheel and was making the same progress but didn't strip away alot of the material from the wheel. Thats good, so now I know what to buy on amazon. So now I have the front seat brackets off of the 99-00 civic ready and next will be working on the new si seats. I notice they had hex bolts in them which is good but they still have that metal tab on them. I didn't check for welds because I only took a quick look at them to see what I was up against.

Otown_jdm_ej6

Hey guys any news on this diy? I'm very interested in doing this project over the summer.

tony_2018

I was only able to get the front seats in, the rear seats on hold. Gotta deal with family issues.

From what I can see
- the latch will need to be welded in
- the side pieces will need to be trimmed a bit and modified to bolt in
- the bottom cushion is really thick so it will need to be trimmed down to the same size as the original one.
- the metal skeleton will need to be transferred over in order for it to mount in properly.