C4 Seats in a C3?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
C4 Seats in a C3?
You may have seen the thread I ran recntly on my experience trying to install C5 Sport Seats in my 71. I couldn't make them work.
So now I'm moving on to C4 seats.
Any experiences you have re installing these seats would be appreciated.
So now I'm moving on to C4 seats.
Any experiences you have re installing these seats would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: C4 Seats in a C3? (flynhi)
To do the C4 seats right is some work, but the floor does not have to be modified.
First be sure to get MANUAL seats. Power seats will not work. Next you will need the C3 tracks and preferrably also the C4 tracks. I did the following:
On the front I cut the U-shaped bracket off the C4 track and welded to the C3 track. The rear is more work. You want the rear of the seat down as low as possible. I welded a piece of steel the the outward side of the C3 track to bolt the seat to. I then sectioned the lower part of the C3 track mounting bracket (the piece that bolts to the floor). I cut about an inch strip out of the C3 bracket and then welded it back together. This places the track an inch lower. Note that you do this on the rear only as the front cannot be lowered any without the seat hitting the floor.
By doing this sectionaing in the rear I got the correct angle (rake) on the seat and also made plenty of headroom. I'm 5'10" and have tons of room. A friend of mine is 6'2" and also fits fine with just a tad of air between his head and the T-top.
First be sure to get MANUAL seats. Power seats will not work. Next you will need the C3 tracks and preferrably also the C4 tracks. I did the following:
On the front I cut the U-shaped bracket off the C4 track and welded to the C3 track. The rear is more work. You want the rear of the seat down as low as possible. I welded a piece of steel the the outward side of the C3 track to bolt the seat to. I then sectioned the lower part of the C3 track mounting bracket (the piece that bolts to the floor). I cut about an inch strip out of the C3 bracket and then welded it back together. This places the track an inch lower. Note that you do this on the rear only as the front cannot be lowered any without the seat hitting the floor.
By doing this sectionaing in the rear I got the correct angle (rake) on the seat and also made plenty of headroom. I'm 5'10" and have tons of room. A friend of mine is 6'2" and also fits fine with just a tad of air between his head and the T-top.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: C4 Seats in a C3? (flynhi)
Hi will,
Actually I never took them off. I bought some header inserts and the plan was to use them instead of the resonators but I never got around to installing them.
Actually I never took them off. I bought some header inserts and the plan was to use them instead of the resonators but I never got around to installing them.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Valencia (near LA) CA
Re: C4 Seats in a C3? (flynhi)
I am in the process of installing C4 seats in my '68
I got crappy old frames at the Pomona swap meet, and also ordered new Leather from Al Knoch. The pleasent supprise was that they could use any '68 color leather! So I'll soon have the the proper color but in the C4 style. They didn't charge any more for the color, and they offered 10 or 15% discount since I ordered at the show:)
The new leather arrived a few days ago and it is beautiful!! I'll post some pictures soon.
Here's another thread with pics of the nasty old C4 frames http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=539171
~Jay
I got crappy old frames at the Pomona swap meet, and also ordered new Leather from Al Knoch. The pleasent supprise was that they could use any '68 color leather! So I'll soon have the the proper color but in the C4 style. They didn't charge any more for the color, and they offered 10 or 15% discount since I ordered at the show:)
The new leather arrived a few days ago and it is beautiful!! I'll post some pictures soon.
Here's another thread with pics of the nasty old C4 frames http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=539171
~Jay
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia 1985 Coupe
Re: C4 Seats in a C3? (flynhi)
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Re: C4 Seats in a C3? (flynhi)
I did it...you'll love them. As mentioned it is not terribly difficult just takes some patience and a creative mind :crazy:
Sorry, not the best pic but it's all I have handy. :thumbs:
Sorry, not the best pic but it's all I have handy. :thumbs:
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Re: C4 Seats in a C3? (markyerger)
I have shoulder belts...actually I have 2001 Camaro seat belts and they work fine. They just come around the side...no interference and they don't even rub on the seat, just the plastic back. :thumbs:
