[Z06] Corbeau A4 seats ... thoughts?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Corbeau A4 seats ... thoughts?
I love my Z06, but at 6'2" ~185# the seats leave something to be desired. I drive approximately 25 minutes each way to work and even in that short time I end up with lower back pain. Lumbar support seems non-existent on the stockers.
I want reclining seats with sliding mounts (I realize I will lose the power adjustments and memory) and the Corbeau A4's seem to offer those two features as well as fit in the car. After seeing them in QuickZilver's car, I am pretty much sold.
My main question from those who have them is do you find them comfortable on longer trips? I regularly do 3 hour trips, sometimes longer as well. I will also be doing a few HPDEs.
Additionally, if anyone has a different seat to recommend, I am certainly open to other options as well.
Thanks!
-John
I want reclining seats with sliding mounts (I realize I will lose the power adjustments and memory) and the Corbeau A4's seem to offer those two features as well as fit in the car. After seeing them in QuickZilver's car, I am pretty much sold.
My main question from those who have them is do you find them comfortable on longer trips? I regularly do 3 hour trips, sometimes longer as well. I will also be doing a few HPDEs.
Additionally, if anyone has a different seat to recommend, I am certainly open to other options as well.
Thanks!
-John
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
For me, they were a vast improvement from the stock seats. 5'11", 170 lbs here, the seats are a good fit. As far as comfort goes, I actually prefer firmer seats. I have fractured L-4 and L-5 lumbar vertebraes so lower back pain is one of my big issues.
After switching to the A4s, I still get some pain, but it's about 90% reduced. I figure in my condition I won't ever be completely rid of back problems. I take 2-3 hour trips once a month and they much better. The seats are definitely not loungy, but that's probably a good thing, the lumbar area is alot stiffer than stock seats, this will be great for you!
There's also the option of ordering a set with the inflatable lumbar if you feel the need, I find the seat out of the box is very supportive as is. The foam seems to retain it's shape well too, I noticed that even my skinny @$$ would form a mold in the OEM seats, which eventually began to bottom out on the seat springs themselves. Firm lumbar and firm bucket = good feelings for your back!
After switching to the A4s, I still get some pain, but it's about 90% reduced. I figure in my condition I won't ever be completely rid of back problems. I take 2-3 hour trips once a month and they much better. The seats are definitely not loungy, but that's probably a good thing, the lumbar area is alot stiffer than stock seats, this will be great for you!
There's also the option of ordering a set with the inflatable lumbar if you feel the need, I find the seat out of the box is very supportive as is. The foam seems to retain it's shape well too, I noticed that even my skinny @$$ would form a mold in the OEM seats, which eventually began to bottom out on the seat springs themselves. Firm lumbar and firm bucket = good feelings for your back!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
BTW, getting the seats in the car was a tight tight tight fit... I have the heat insluation stuff lining the floorboard, and the seats ride up on the passnger well quite a bit. Sliding the seats back and forth are a serious chore!
I took out some of the carpet lining/insulation which helped, but in the end had to hack into the driver bracket a tad to align it over the stud mounts. Passenger seat I didn't have to modify, but it was also very very tight. I don't think my situation is common, but I do know other people have had their own problems.
In the end, the reclining lever is on the correct side of the seat, the seat track will allow for adjustability with some good muscle, and the recline is natural enough. Good luck!
I took out some of the carpet lining/insulation which helped, but in the end had to hack into the driver bracket a tad to align it over the stud mounts. Passenger seat I didn't have to modify, but it was also very very tight. I don't think my situation is common, but I do know other people have had their own problems.
In the end, the reclining lever is on the correct side of the seat, the seat track will allow for adjustability with some good muscle, and the recline is natural enough. Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
To make installation a little easier (that I have read), mount the passenger side on the driver side and vice versa. This puts the reclining lever next to the tunnel (makes it a little more difficult to recline the seats, but adjusting the seat tracks is easier and there is little to no interference on the seat belt retractor). My seats are equipped with the inflatable lumbar support, which does help. My wife has 6 fused vertebrae in her lower spine. She feels more comfort in the A4's over the factory seats. I have upper back/shoulder issues that flare up from time to time, and these seats help a lot with that as well. I drive my Z06 to work from time to time and the 40 minutes in these seats is very comfortable. I haven't been on any longer drives, yet, but I think these will be plenty comfortable. For those that want to see what we are talking about, here is a picture of them in my Z06 with Simpson Racing Harnesses (Arizona Speed Harness Bar is what is being used to mount the harnesses).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Just thought of this, is there an occupancy sensor in the passenger seat that works with the airbag system? If so, what is required to retain that functionality with the aftermarket seats?
Thanks!
-John
Thanks!
-John
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
My factory Z06 seats did not have any sensor on the passenger side. There was no harness of any type connected to the passenger side. I don't know if our cars are "smart" enough to only fire the driver air bag and not the passenger one if nobody is in the passenger side.
Collections Hold
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 2
From: Tacoma WA
QuickZilver, a couple questions.
Are those the narrow seats?
Did you purchase the Corbeau seat brkt kits?
I don't see Corbeau insig on the head rest, did you delete this when ordering? if so, I wonder if ya could have Z06 put in it's place?
Anyone have pics of the red ones installed?
Thanks
Robert
Are those the narrow seats?
Did you purchase the Corbeau seat brkt kits?
I don't see Corbeau insig on the head rest, did you delete this when ordering? if so, I wonder if ya could have Z06 put in it's place?
Anyone have pics of the red ones installed?
Thanks
Robert
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
QuickZilver, a couple questions.
Are those the narrow seats?
Did you purchase the Corbeau seat brkt kits?
I don't see Corbeau insig on the head rest, did you delete this when ordering? if so, I wonder if ya could have Z06 put in it's place?
Anyone have pics of the red ones installed?
Thanks
Robert
Are those the narrow seats?
Did you purchase the Corbeau seat brkt kits?
I don't see Corbeau insig on the head rest, did you delete this when ordering? if so, I wonder if ya could have Z06 put in it's place?
Anyone have pics of the red ones installed?
Thanks
Robert
Neil
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Yes, you can use the factory belts. I have both 5 point harnesses when I race, and factory belts for everyday driving. No problems. As for the weight, I didn't think of weighing them, but I'd say the Corbeaus are a good 10 lbs lighter than the factory seats.
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland/Tampa FL
QuikZilver
I like them! 
Can't beat a 10 lbs weight savings either. Will deff have to pick some up when I finaly get my Z.
Would the Microsuede/leatherette option be firmer than the all leather? I think the suede ones looks better (looking at the pics on the website..) Thanx..
Can't beat a 10 lbs weight savings either. Will deff have to pick some up when I finaly get my Z.Would the Microsuede/leatherette option be firmer than the all leather? I think the suede ones looks better (looking at the pics on the website..) Thanx..
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Do a search for Corbeau...there is another person on the forum who has the Suede seats. I don't remember which of the many Corbeau threads the pictures are posted in. As for which is firmer, the Suede or Leather are just as firm as the other...they use the same foam.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
The A4 looks nice and comfortable. I want to sit in one sometime to try them out. I have an FX1 PRO for track days.
The Corbeau seat mount is heavier than the factory one. Factory is stamped steel and Corbeau is steel bar. Corbeau seat frame is fiberglass and factory is stamped steel. The biggest weight savings I see is the power seat motor and its hardware. When I pull the drivers seat to swap in the FX1 the weight is very noticeable. Never bothered to actually weigh them though.
The only drawback I have seen with the Corbeau setup is that the angle the seat sits at on their slider doesn't lift the front up enough for my liking. I don't get enough support under my legs at the edge of the seat.
Does the A4 sit at a better angle where it lifts your legs in the front?
The Corbeau seat mount is heavier than the factory one. Factory is stamped steel and Corbeau is steel bar. Corbeau seat frame is fiberglass and factory is stamped steel. The biggest weight savings I see is the power seat motor and its hardware. When I pull the drivers seat to swap in the FX1 the weight is very noticeable. Never bothered to actually weigh them though.
The only drawback I have seen with the Corbeau setup is that the angle the seat sits at on their slider doesn't lift the front up enough for my liking. I don't get enough support under my legs at the edge of the seat.
Does the A4 sit at a better angle where it lifts your legs in the front?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
There is a slight angle, but not as much of an angle I used to have my legs at with the factory seats. But, I am finding that my legs do not get as tired or cramped when in the Corbeaus vs. the factory seats.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Can't wait to see what the red cloth looks like on a QuickSilver/Black car!
Collections Hold
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 2
From: Tacoma WA
Robert