What Seat?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
What Seat?
Its time to upgrade my seats.
I was looking at doing the Caravaggio Leather Race seats, but I am concerned that I will not fit in them.
I love the look of the Daytonas, but 5k is a little out of the budget.
What is the best bang for the buck in seat upgrades?
I was looking at doing the Caravaggio Leather Race seats, but I am concerned that I will not fit in them.
I love the look of the Daytonas, but 5k is a little out of the budget.
What is the best bang for the buck in seat upgrades?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
probably the evo8 recaros. if you can find the OE black leather they run about 1000-1200. few articles on here exist on the install and bracket adapting.
you can also find cloth around 400-500/set and have upholstery work done
MUCH higher quality seats that corbeau and other popular choices that have poor quality construction and are not designed correctly for your spine
guys have also adopted c6 seats which are a moderate upgrade from the economy car c5 seats
you can also find cloth around 400-500/set and have upholstery work done
MUCH higher quality seats that corbeau and other popular choices that have poor quality construction and are not designed correctly for your spine
guys have also adopted c6 seats which are a moderate upgrade from the economy car c5 seats
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 735
From: Hainesport NJ
St. Jude Donor '10
Before we can answer your question properly, you should provide some answers so we can better recommend some seats.
I assume you are doing this for looks?
Do you plan to road course the car?
Are you concerned about 5 or 6 point harnesses?
If so you biggest concern should be where does the shoulder pass through match up to your shoulders?
Do you want to maintain power controls?
I assume you want to use the OEM seat belts?
Fixed back or fold forward seat?
You mentioned leather, so I assume racing isn't in your future, since that is the worst surface for racing seats.
How big are you? Height and waist size?
I love my fixed back, fix mounted carbon fiber Cobra seat. I am 5'11" with a 40" waist and I fit in the seat comfortably with my helmet and harness. I am able to use the OEM seat belts for my regular driving.
Some recommendations, and you need to be certain the seat fits in the relatively same C5 seat area.
Caraviggio (bad spelling)
Cobra
Corbeau
Recaro
I assume you are doing this for looks?
Do you plan to road course the car?
Are you concerned about 5 or 6 point harnesses?
If so you biggest concern should be where does the shoulder pass through match up to your shoulders?
Do you want to maintain power controls?
I assume you want to use the OEM seat belts?
Fixed back or fold forward seat?
You mentioned leather, so I assume racing isn't in your future, since that is the worst surface for racing seats.
How big are you? Height and waist size?
I love my fixed back, fix mounted carbon fiber Cobra seat. I am 5'11" with a 40" waist and I fit in the seat comfortably with my helmet and harness. I am able to use the OEM seat belts for my regular driving.
Some recommendations, and you need to be certain the seat fits in the relatively same C5 seat area.
Caraviggio (bad spelling)
Cobra
Corbeau
Recaro
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Before we can answer your question properly, you should provide some answers so we can better recommend some seats.
I assume you are doing this for looks?
No.. My car is a 2001, and the seats have seen better days. I do race the car on a closed track about 6 times a year.
Do you plan to road course the car? Yes.
Are you concerned about 5 or 6 point harnesses?
I would like the ability to run a 5 or 6 point harness. I currently have them in the car.
If so you biggest concern should be where does the shoulder pass
through match up to your shoulders?
The belts should be comfortable.
Do you want to maintain power controls?
Not really to concerned, however it would be nice. Not high on the priority list though.
I assume you want to use the OEM seat belts?
Yes.. Need them to work or the wife wont ride in the car.
Fixed back or fold forward seat?
Fixed back is okay
You mentioned leather, so I assume racing isn't in your future, since that is the worst surface for racing seats.
I would like cloth or alcantera centers with leather on the sides.
How big are you? Height and waist size?
5'9 with a 40" waist
I love my fixed back, fix mounted carbon fiber Cobra seat. I am 5'11" with a 40" waist and I fit in the seat comfortably with my helmet and harness. I am able to use the OEM seat belts for my regular driving.
Some recommendations, and you need to be certain the seat fits in the relatively same C5 seat area.
Caraviggio (bad spelling)
Cobra
Corbeau
Recaro
I assume you are doing this for looks?
No.. My car is a 2001, and the seats have seen better days. I do race the car on a closed track about 6 times a year.
Do you plan to road course the car? Yes.
Are you concerned about 5 or 6 point harnesses?
I would like the ability to run a 5 or 6 point harness. I currently have them in the car.
If so you biggest concern should be where does the shoulder pass
through match up to your shoulders?
The belts should be comfortable.
Do you want to maintain power controls?
Not really to concerned, however it would be nice. Not high on the priority list though.
I assume you want to use the OEM seat belts?
Yes.. Need them to work or the wife wont ride in the car.
Fixed back or fold forward seat?
Fixed back is okay
You mentioned leather, so I assume racing isn't in your future, since that is the worst surface for racing seats.
I would like cloth or alcantera centers with leather on the sides.
How big are you? Height and waist size?
5'9 with a 40" waist
I love my fixed back, fix mounted carbon fiber Cobra seat. I am 5'11" with a 40" waist and I fit in the seat comfortably with my helmet and harness. I am able to use the OEM seat belts for my regular driving.
Some recommendations, and you need to be certain the seat fits in the relatively same C5 seat area.
Caraviggio (bad spelling)
Cobra
Corbeau
Recaro
How much did these cost you?
Did them come with rails or did you use the factory?
This seat looks awesome..
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 735
From: Hainesport NJ
St. Jude Donor '10
How much did these cost you?
If memory serves correct, around $1,000
Did them come with rails or did you use the factory?I used aftermarket rails from Phoenix Performance they make them in house and are fixed. I also got the seat from Phoenix. They are a supporting vendor
This seat looks awesome..
If memory serves correct, around $1,000
Did them come with rails or did you use the factory?I used aftermarket rails from Phoenix Performance they make them in house and are fixed. I also got the seat from Phoenix. They are a supporting vendor
This seat looks awesome..
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
Either Corbeau A4s if you want a reclining seat or Forza/Fx1 Pro if you dont mind a fixed back.
Fixed backs are lighter too! Forza you can get vinyl for $240 a seat!!!
Fx1 pro you can get in cloth or suede.
My car with my forza's:
Fixed backs are lighter too! Forza you can get vinyl for $240 a seat!!!
Fx1 pro you can get in cloth or suede.
My car with my forza's:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,048
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
I went crazy with this decision and decided to rebuild stock seats. What a huge difference from the quality of leather to the bolstering. They fit me perfect and had them built for future race belts.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Summerville SC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 864
From: So Cal
Those just might be the best sports car seats ever made. If I knew that they fit on these rails easily and their their electrics and bladders worked easily I would put them in this C5 in a heartbeat. Only drawback is the forward and side leather edges get damaged very quickly by sliding in and out.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 243
Likes: 11
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
I re-did my seats and have been very happy with them. I got the stiffer DJ Motorsports foam for the driver side and love it. Also did a brand new 6-pc foam kit. Much better than when I got the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 12
From: Eastern PA
It's tastefully done and the color combo sets off the car nicely.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 12
From: Eastern PA
We have chatted before about seats in other threads, seeing some of the examples on this one I think this may be the route to take in your case. I had another C5 previously and re-did the seats on that one myself.
Re-doing the seats is not an extremely difficult task but it takes some patience. A lot of DYI threads can be found to cover most of the topics relating to the seat covers. You can find good deals on the foam and new covers and you can customize your interior and get the extra support you're looking for. I'm sure you can get a local leather or upholstering shop to customize your seat with anything you may want to add as well. Along with that you may save a a couple of $K overall.
Last edited by ezrider4u2; Jan 5, 2013 at 08:03 AM.