would also like to hear the answer to that question.
C4 racing seats practical for everyday driving?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,685
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
C4 racing seats practical for everyday driving?
I took out my seats to do some cleaning (93 C4) and was amazed at how much they weighed.
I put the seat and track assembly on my scale and registered 42-44 pounds per seat.
Im thinking about putting racing seats in.
Has anybody done this? Are they still semi-comfortable for long haul drives? If so, can you recommend a brand?
Any help is appreciated...
I put the seat and track assembly on my scale and registered 42-44 pounds per seat.
Im thinking about putting racing seats in.
Has anybody done this? Are they still semi-comfortable for long haul drives? If so, can you recommend a brand?
Any help is appreciated...
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Absolutly, If you find a seat that fits you. When I was looking for a racing seat, I tried dozens to find the right one. I ended up getting the Cobra Imola II. I also spent a lot of time getting the position just right and it is bolted in one fixed place.
I live in San Diego and have family near San Francisco. If traffic is good and the wind right, I can make it from my house to my mom's non-stop 500miles in about 6 and a half hours. The seat is so comfortable that I could do another 500 miles no problem. I love that seat.
I have put almost 45,000 miles on the car in that seat and if I ever sell the car, the seat stays and is going in my next.
Oh, and it is awsome on the track as well. I can just sit and steer without having to brace myself on the door, steering wheel, trans tunnel in every corner.
Cheers,
Lawrence
I live in San Diego and have family near San Francisco. If traffic is good and the wind right, I can make it from my house to my mom's non-stop 500miles in about 6 and a half hours. The seat is so comfortable that I could do another 500 miles no problem. I love that seat.
I have put almost 45,000 miles on the car in that seat and if I ever sell the car, the seat stays and is going in my next.
Oh, and it is awsome on the track as well. I can just sit and steer without having to brace myself on the door, steering wheel, trans tunnel in every corner.
Cheers,
Lawrence
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
I have a Sparco Pro 2000 and also absolutely love it.
It is quite 'tight' which eliminates the movement situation, but the tightness will also probably get the negative comments from the wussies.
I've spent more than a week in the car and wouldn't change it.
Besides it now makes it feel a bit more like a race car.
It is quite 'tight' which eliminates the movement situation, but the tightness will also probably get the negative comments from the wussies.
I've spent more than a week in the car and wouldn't change it.
Besides it now makes it feel a bit more like a race car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 656
From: San Diego Ca
I echo the sentiments but with some slight reservation. I have a seat that is perfect for a 20-40 minute track session. A Recaro A8. Fits me perfectly.
However that snug feel in the hips becomes a bit painful after 300 miles of hiway driving. So you need to compromise some place. Either a bit too loose of a feel for the track or a bit to tight for the road.
Perry
However that snug feel in the hips becomes a bit painful after 300 miles of hiway driving. So you need to compromise some place. Either a bit too loose of a feel for the track or a bit to tight for the road.
Perry
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Race seats are fine for race day, but if you have to drive hundreds of miles in it, you migh find that you will get pretty stiff if you can't move around in the seat.I have a friend with a Sparco EVO II seat and while it pretty much locks him in place along with his harness for autocross and track days, he can't really drive the car for much more than a couple of hours without having to stop and walk around for awhile to take out the kinks in his back and legs.
A C4 is not the easiest car to get in and out and depending on the type of seat you wind up with, it could make things a little more difficult.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 9
Yes, Absolutely!
After much searching, I have found a pair of seats that are all of the following:
-Light weight (14 lbs with brackets)
-Nicely padded and extremely comfortable
-Have great lateral support
-High Quality
-Have holes for 5 pt harnesses
-Will fit in the vette (with a couple minor mods)
-Can be installed in a way that will give me more head room
Not only that, but they are extremely affordable (especially new on ebay).
The seat brand name is Nex (not to be confused with the Nex-Tech or Nex-technology seats) .
They are available in black, black/red, black/blue, black/yellow
Here are some links:
ebay seller link
2KR racing
Seat brackets will take a little fabrication work, but not too bad. To get max head room, I will be installing mine in a fixed position, without any sliding rails. I have my set sitting around, if anyone needs more detailed photos.
After much searching, I have found a pair of seats that are all of the following:
-Light weight (14 lbs with brackets)
-Nicely padded and extremely comfortable
-Have great lateral support
-High Quality
-Have holes for 5 pt harnesses
-Will fit in the vette (with a couple minor mods)
-Can be installed in a way that will give me more head room
Not only that, but they are extremely affordable (especially new on ebay).
The seat brand name is Nex (not to be confused with the Nex-Tech or Nex-technology seats) .
They are available in black, black/red, black/blue, black/yellow
Here are some links:
ebay seller link
2KR racing
Seat brackets will take a little fabrication work, but not too bad. To get max head room, I will be installing mine in a fixed position, without any sliding rails. I have my set sitting around, if anyone needs more detailed photos.
Last edited by Mr6spd; Oct 1, 2005 at 09:44 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
My experience with seats is you get what you pay for. In comfort, safety, and wear resistance. I could not believe I would pay $550 for a new seat...but I did after going thru another seat...that really added to the final cost!
I used a Forza for some time thinking the low cost seat was pretty good, but I swam in it-much worse than the factory bucket and then noticed it was a steel tubing frame which I could feel in places (probably not good if one gets in a collision) and on top of that could see wear developing in very similar spots the factory leather bolsters did.
I've seen low cost seats after a few miles and they look pretty tatty/faded.
Don't have any experience with the Nex's, just an observation on a few other 'brand' name deals.
I used a Forza for some time thinking the low cost seat was pretty good, but I swam in it-much worse than the factory bucket and then noticed it was a steel tubing frame which I could feel in places (probably not good if one gets in a collision) and on top of that could see wear developing in very similar spots the factory leather bolsters did.
I've seen low cost seats after a few miles and they look pretty tatty/faded.
Don't have any experience with the Nex's, just an observation on a few other 'brand' name deals.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by No Go
I have a Sparco Pro 2000 and ...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
I used the pre fabbed Corbear sliders and mount from the Forza install. They offer a bolt in deal for that seat. I simple redrilled it for the bottom mount Pro 2000-one reason I chose it over the Evo, etc.
The seat definitely adds to the car.
The seat definitely adds to the car.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pa.
My experience goes like this: I originally tried to go with a set of Sparco seats in my 86 coupe. Paid around $1100 for the pair without mounting brackets/sliders. I was then told Sparco did not have brackets that fit C4s (hard to believe but true), and I would have to find a way to mount the seats. They were too high for the stock mounts, not to mention there was no easy way to adapt them. Long story short, I wound up returning the Sparcos and got a pair of Corbeau Forzas. Less than half the price of the Sparcos with sliders and made just for the C4. In my opinion, the Forzas were a better seat! The Sparcos had an 'open' back that to my eyes, looked unfinished. The Forzas are totally covered and went right in. I was initially concerned about living with this car on a daily basis with these seats, but my worries were unfounded; the Corbeaus are comfortable, snug, and put you in the proper position for performance driving. You are, however, in an upright position with no 'wiggle' room. Long drives, in my opinion, are no problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Originally Posted by hurricanejames
My experience goes like this: I originally tried to go with a set of Sparco seats in my 86 coupe. Paid around $1100 for the pair without mounting brackets/sliders. I was then told Sparco did not have brackets that fit C4s (hard to believe but true), and I would have to find a way to mount the seats. They were too high for the stock mounts, not to mention there was no easy way to adapt them. Long story short, I wound up returning the Sparcos and got a pair of Corbeau Forzas. Less than half the price of the Sparcos with sliders and made just for the C4. In my opinion, the Forzas were a better seat! The Sparcos had an 'open' back that to my eyes, looked unfinished. The Forzas are totally covered and went right in. I was initially concerned about living with this car on a daily basis with these seats, but my worries were unfounded; the Corbeaus are comfortable, snug, and put you in the proper position for performance driving. You are, however, in an upright position with no 'wiggle' room. Long drives, in my opinion, are no problem.
I'm glad they worked for you.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 588
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Fl
I used to have a 1991 Camaro that was a SCCA racer and a daily driver. The Momo- Rookie seats I had in it suited me just fine. Granted, they weren't quite as comfortable as the stock seats, but not bad (plus the girls liked seeing a guy driving around with a 5-point harness who actually used it for something)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pa.
I guess they worked for me, and I probably should say I agree with the idea of getting what you pay for. The Sparcos were obviously excellent seats, and if they'd have had brackets that fit I'd have used them, no problem. What I was surprised at was the quality of the Forzas. I've had them for three years and they've shown no appreciable wear, and again, they looked more finished from the back for what is primarily a street car. The bottom line is find something that appeals to you, research the application and make sure it fits (You AND the car).
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Duncanville Texas
Seat recommendations
Im looking for a kick *** seat that can be pretty good for the track but a little more comfy on the road than my stock cloth 86 seat. Ijust slide down all the time no matter how i have the seat so I need something more snug with a little more lumber support. Anybody have any recommendations? and cheap/unsafe ones to stay away from 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Great Advice. I do agree C4 seats aren't very comfortable. Something to look for!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Both of the same car...just one in the shade and the other in the sun making the Torch Red look really orangish.
Something else I should mention is the OEM 3 point seat belt did not work in a safe manner with the Forza-notice it has very high sides on the waist. My lower belt would go from side rail to side rail and not touch my 'belly'...large gap. If one were to stop (collision), my belly would have quite an impact vs having it snug like it is supposed to be.
The Sparco didn't have as high 'rails' and the OEM 3 point belt works fine.
I don't have a roll bar yet to mount 5 points.
Something else I should mention is the OEM 3 point seat belt did not work in a safe manner with the Forza-notice it has very high sides on the waist. My lower belt would go from side rail to side rail and not touch my 'belly'...large gap. If one were to stop (collision), my belly would have quite an impact vs having it snug like it is supposed to be.
The Sparco didn't have as high 'rails' and the OEM 3 point belt works fine.
I don't have a roll bar yet to mount 5 points.
Last edited by No Go; Oct 4, 2005 at 11:57 AM.