Corbeau A4 Install (Holy CRAP !!!)
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 0
From: Qualicum Beach British Columbia
Guys:
So I installed a set of Leather Corbeau A4 seats this week. I went out tonight for a 2 hour cruise to see how I liked them.
HOLY crap ! GM should be ashamed of them selves for putting such CRAPPY seats in the Corvette.
Tonight was the first time in the 6 years that I have owned my Z06, that I truly felt this car's capabilities. I'm dead serious ! I never realized how much fighting to stay composed in my seat took away from being able to REALLY drive this car hard. I hit turns tonight that I have never hit that hard before, and I felt VERY confidant in doing so. My confidence level in driving my car hard is increased 100 fold ! I was pulling some serious "G's" tonight and I was absolutely glued in my seat the whole time ! What an absolute thrill ! I should have done this mod a LONG time ago !
I was going under a bridge doing a U turn. I was going way faster than I ever have before, and I felt very confidant doing it. When I came to the 90 degree turn to turn onto the service road I could feel that the car was going to slide. I could just feel it. I felt "one" or "connected" with the car. If that makes sense. I anticipated the slide, and let it happen, and accelerated thru it. I drifted the rear end as I entered onto the service road, as the tail swung out on me. I accelerated and it came back straight, and I just punched it.
I wish I had a video of that 
. I NEVER felt so comfortable driving like that before in this car EVER ! It just felt effortless.
Corbeau says that only up to a 36" waist will fit in the standard seat. Don't worry if your a little bigger. I fit like a glove !
I am:
1.) 6ft
2.) 210lbs
3.) Waist 38" around
4.) Chest 41" around
5.) Shoulders 48" around
- I would say that I could be a little bigger in the shoulders and still be ok.
- I think a tiny bit bigger in the chest would be ok also.
- I think being much bigger around in the waist would be an issue.
I fit in the lower seat back quite snug. I gotta lay off the soda...
I am also very impressed with the looks of the seats. I really think they compliment the interior of my Z06. They look like race seats like the Z06 should have. I hit them with Zaino leather in a bottle, and they are looking and smelling great !
If your looking for a performance mod..... I highly recommend this as a performance mod. You will never drive your car the same. I can promise you that !!!
Corvette Forum Vendor "TPSMak" (Mike) can hook you up like he did with me !
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/nort...rom-320-a.html
Toque
So I installed a set of Leather Corbeau A4 seats this week. I went out tonight for a 2 hour cruise to see how I liked them.
HOLY crap ! GM should be ashamed of them selves for putting such CRAPPY seats in the Corvette.
Tonight was the first time in the 6 years that I have owned my Z06, that I truly felt this car's capabilities. I'm dead serious ! I never realized how much fighting to stay composed in my seat took away from being able to REALLY drive this car hard. I hit turns tonight that I have never hit that hard before, and I felt VERY confidant in doing so.
My confidence level in driving my car hard is increased 100 fold ! I was pulling some serious "G's" tonight and I was absolutely glued in my seat the whole time ! What an absolute thrill ! I should have done this mod a LONG time ago ! I was going under a bridge doing a U turn. I was going way faster than I ever have before, and I felt very confidant doing it. When I came to the 90 degree turn to turn onto the service road I could feel that the car was going to slide. I could just feel it. I felt "one" or "connected" with the car. If that makes sense. I anticipated the slide, and let it happen, and accelerated thru it. I drifted the rear end as I entered onto the service road, as the tail swung out on me. I accelerated and it came back straight, and I just punched it.
I wish I had a video of that . I NEVER felt so comfortable driving like that before in this car EVER ! It just felt effortless. Corbeau says that only up to a 36" waist will fit in the standard seat. Don't worry if your a little bigger. I fit like a glove !
I am:
1.) 6ft
2.) 210lbs
3.) Waist 38" around
4.) Chest 41" around
5.) Shoulders 48" around
- I would say that I could be a little bigger in the shoulders and still be ok.
- I think a tiny bit bigger in the chest would be ok also.
- I think being much bigger around in the waist would be an issue.
I fit in the lower seat back quite snug.
I gotta lay off the soda... I am also very impressed with the looks of the seats. I really think they compliment the interior of my Z06. They look like race seats like the Z06 should have. I hit them with Zaino leather in a bottle, and they are looking and smelling great !
If your looking for a performance mod..... I highly recommend this as a performance mod. You will never drive your car the same. I can promise you that !!!
Corvette Forum Vendor "TPSMak" (Mike) can hook you up like he did with me !
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/nort...rom-320-a.html
Toque
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Toque
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
From: Poway CA
I may have a slightly different take....
Sit in these seats for a few minutes before you buy them...
I just sold my C3 with A4s in it. I put them in there because the stock seats had no support and I have a really crappy back. I'm only 5'8" but have broad shoulders. While the lateral support at the waist was good, these things never were comfortable to drive because they dug into my shoulders. (I'm being kind, they just plain sucked for comfort)
So while they are probably pretty good seats for most folks, those with broad shoulders will really suffer with these.
Also the leather quality is OK but they do take a beating on the side bolster and mine was pretty worn after very little use.
But they do look really cool in that C5...
Sit in these seats for a few minutes before you buy them...
I just sold my C3 with A4s in it. I put them in there because the stock seats had no support and I have a really crappy back. I'm only 5'8" but have broad shoulders. While the lateral support at the waist was good, these things never were comfortable to drive because they dug into my shoulders. (I'm being kind, they just plain sucked for comfort)
So while they are probably pretty good seats for most folks, those with broad shoulders will really suffer with these.
Also the leather quality is OK but they do take a beating on the side bolster and mine was pretty worn after very little use.
But they do look really cool in that C5...
Last edited by Lucky13; Oct 20, 2010 at 08:57 PM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 31,299
Likes: 335
From: San Jose CA
St. Jude Donor '11
So who else would like a set? Time to get rid of those crappy factory seats!
__________________
TPSMotorsports.com
Mike Mak
2705 Lafayette Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone #: 408/898-4632
Email #: MikeM@TPSMotorsports.com
Authorized dealer of Corbeau Seats, ECS Superchargers, Edelbrock SuperChargers, A&A Superchargers, Kooks, Whipple, Magnalow, Corsa, Borla. LG Motorsports, Procharger, Billy Boat Exhaust, AWE Exhaust, American Racing, TPS Brake Rotors/ Kits, Stainless Steel Brake Lines & much more...Mike Mak
2705 Lafayette Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone #: 408/898-4632
Email #: MikeM@TPSMotorsports.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 718
From: Black Forest CO
TPSMak,
Do you have any idea if anyone will have A4s at SEMA? I checked the vendor list and Corbeau are not listed. I would really like to sit in some A4s to see if my shoulders fit ok.
Do you have any idea if anyone will have A4s at SEMA? I checked the vendor list and Corbeau are not listed. I would really like to sit in some A4s to see if my shoulders fit ok.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 31,299
Likes: 335
From: San Jose CA
St. Jude Donor '11
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,101
Likes: 44
From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
Hi Toque,
Your new seats look good, and it's great that they're working well for you. I couldn't help wondering, when you mentioned your physical size and weight, whether you obliquely addressed and answered the question of why GM uses the seats that they do. Simply, it's a matter of ensuring that the great majority of potential customers can fit in them. I'm just shy of 6'6", and the last time I weighed 210 was back in my Army days. From your description I doubt I would have fit in them back then, and certainly not now 
.
Ideally, I suppose it would be great if GM at least offered some alternative seats as an option, but I'm guessing that would require another round of government regulation and certification approvals (the same reason why several European companies have "racing" (and I'm using the word rather broadly and generically here) seats in their uber-performance cars over there, but those seats don't make it across the Atlantic. Alas, like most things these days, it boils down to money....
Your new seats look good, and it's great that they're working well for you. I couldn't help wondering, when you mentioned your physical size and weight, whether you obliquely addressed and answered the question of why GM uses the seats that they do. Simply, it's a matter of ensuring that the great majority of potential customers can fit in them. I'm just shy of 6'6", and the last time I weighed 210 was back in my Army days
. From your description I doubt I would have fit in them back then, and certainly not now .Ideally, I suppose it would be great if GM at least offered some alternative seats as an option, but I'm guessing that would require another round of government regulation and certification approvals (the same reason why several European companies have "racing" (and I'm using the word rather broadly and generically here) seats in their uber-performance cars over there, but those seats don't make it across the Atlantic. Alas, like most things these days, it boils down to money....
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Hi Toque,
Your new seats look good, and it's great that they're working well for you. I couldn't help wondering, when you mentioned your physical size and weight, whether you obliquely addressed and answered the question of why GM uses the seats that they do. Simply, it's a matter of ensuring that the great majority of potential customers can fit in them. I'm just shy of 6'6", and the last time I weighed 210 was back in my Army days. From your description I doubt I would have fit in them back then, and certainly not now .
Ideally, I suppose it would be great if GM at least offered some alternative seats as an option, but I'm guessing that would require another round of government regulation and certification approvals (the same reason why several European companies have "racing" (and I'm using the word rather broadly and generically here) seats in their uber-performance cars over there, but those seats don't make it across the Atlantic. Alas, like most things these days, it boils down to money....
Your new seats look good, and it's great that they're working well for you. I couldn't help wondering, when you mentioned your physical size and weight, whether you obliquely addressed and answered the question of why GM uses the seats that they do. Simply, it's a matter of ensuring that the great majority of potential customers can fit in them. I'm just shy of 6'6", and the last time I weighed 210 was back in my Army days
. From your description I doubt I would have fit in them back then, and certainly not now .Ideally, I suppose it would be great if GM at least offered some alternative seats as an option, but I'm guessing that would require another round of government regulation and certification approvals (the same reason why several European companies have "racing" (and I'm using the word rather broadly and generically here) seats in their uber-performance cars over there, but those seats don't make it across the Atlantic. Alas, like most things these days, it boils down to money....
I think your 100% correct actually. I think GM designed a seat for the mass population. I agree also that GM should have offered a seat better suited for performance driving, but since it would have likely cost them money to develop that, It did not happen.
Makes me wonder what larger folks do if they want to buy a GTI like I have. It has awesome seats with excellent side bolstering. Holds me in like glue... and can that car take turns ! !
. Its what got me hooked on how important a good seat is needed for performance driving. Toque
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 427
From: Dunedin Florida
I want these seats but I dont live anywhere near California to have them isntalled. How hard are they to install at home? I am no Mr Goodwrench but I built a VW bug so I am no foreigner to basic skills.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Toque.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 1
From: suburban Philadelphia PA
I thought I read on another CF post, that installing Corbeau's meant having to do away with electronics (power seat adjustments) ... YES / NO? Is that correct, or was I misinformed?
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Some have installed the Corbeau seat on the power seats, but it raises the seat base about an inch. I sat in a car like this and it was way too high for me (~6ft tall). It was a convertable, and I was staring straight at the sun visor, and if the top was up I would be hitting my head...
I think TPSMak offers a shaved seat option which may help with this. I am not sure how others have installed there seats on the stock brackets.
The Corbeau seat barckets mount to the seat with 4 bolts, and the seat bracket mounts in the car with 4 bolts. Super easy to install.
Toque
