Looking for seat replacement/conversion options
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 4
From: Lawrenceburg KY
Looking for seat replacement/conversion options
I'm looking to upgrade/replace my Z06 seats with something that does the following:
Maintains factory or factory-like adjustment ability including fold-forward to access behind seats. Does not necessarily need power/memory options but that would be a plus.
Have heater option or easily removable covers so I can add aftermarket heaters.
Have pass-through holes to allow for later harness addition.
Have greatly improved lateral support - particularly for a very small driver. I'm 5'10" but 150 lbs with 36" chest and 30" waist.
I basically want a great street seat for daily use that I can also put a harness on and use on the track. My original intention was to do buy the Marrad upgraded seat-backs plus add heaters, but sometime in the past couple of weeks it seems they have stopped offering that service. Now I'm at a loss. Can any other seat offer the same features?
Maintains factory or factory-like adjustment ability including fold-forward to access behind seats. Does not necessarily need power/memory options but that would be a plus.
Have heater option or easily removable covers so I can add aftermarket heaters.
Have pass-through holes to allow for later harness addition.
Have greatly improved lateral support - particularly for a very small driver. I'm 5'10" but 150 lbs with 36" chest and 30" waist.
I basically want a great street seat for daily use that I can also put a harness on and use on the track. My original intention was to do buy the Marrad upgraded seat-backs plus add heaters, but sometime in the past couple of weeks it seems they have stopped offering that service. Now I'm at a loss. Can any other seat offer the same features?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
black leather recaros from an evo 8 or 9 are what you want
really your only choice. the aftermarket seats like corbeau are junk. thin mild steel frames that aren't even legal if an FIA or OEM seat is mandated. they will kill you in a wreck and their materials make china look like quality
i'm sure i'll catch hell for saying so but put a corbeau and a recaro next to each other
it's like a ferrari and a ferrari kit car when you look at construction
really your only choice. the aftermarket seats like corbeau are junk. thin mild steel frames that aren't even legal if an FIA or OEM seat is mandated. they will kill you in a wreck and their materials make china look like quality
i'm sure i'll catch hell for saying so but put a corbeau and a recaro next to each other
it's like a ferrari and a ferrari kit car when you look at construction
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
Corbeau A4 is about as good a seat as you will find with those features. They aren't crazy expensive compared to others.
I've been looking and sitting in seats since I bought my car. I will either end up with fixed seats, or something modified stock like a Mitsubishi Evo Recaro seat or Porsche seat.
Unless you add aftermarket heaters, the Evo seats aren't heated stock from what I've gathered.
<edit> I'm not a fan of the A4, but it isn't as bad as the knock off seats.
I've been looking and sitting in seats since I bought my car. I will either end up with fixed seats, or something modified stock like a Mitsubishi Evo Recaro seat or Porsche seat.
Unless you add aftermarket heaters, the Evo seats aren't heated stock from what I've gathered.
<edit> I'm not a fan of the A4, but it isn't as bad as the knock off seats.
Last edited by 66dts-v; Apr 23, 2014 at 05:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 4
From: Lawrenceburg KY
I had looked at the Recaro Sportster CS for my old Audi but didn't think it would be narrow enough to fit in a C5. If they fit that would be nice.
It's really too bad it's nearly impossible to sit in any of these things without buying them.
It's really too bad it's nearly impossible to sit in any of these things without buying them.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2009
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Likes: 71
If you send me an email
I can contact you when something develops.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 4
From: Lawrenceburg KY
Reading further about the Corbeau A4 has me thinking about them as a possible option, but it looks like they lose the ability to fold forward to reach anything behind the seat. Other than that a pair of A4's in black leather can be bought with sub-belt slots and heaters pre-installed, bases shaved down an inch, and brackets with double-locking sliders all under $2k shipped. That really seems hard to beat since the seats are sized for small people like me... it will probably come down to the A4 or the Marrad conversion.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I have also been interested in replacement seats for my '00 convertible (still have the stock seats).
was told that corbeau A4 was the best choice if i did not want to spend the extra money on Recaros.
but i was also told by someone else that Recaro seats do not fit in a C5 without significant modifications made to the doors and transmission tunnel.
can anyone verify this?
if they do fit, do only some models fit without any modification? if so, which ones?
was told that corbeau A4 was the best choice if i did not want to spend the extra money on Recaros.
but i was also told by someone else that Recaro seats do not fit in a C5 without significant modifications made to the doors and transmission tunnel.
can anyone verify this?
if they do fit, do only some models fit without any modification? if so, which ones?
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Reading further about the Corbeau A4 has me thinking about them as a possible option, but it looks like they lose the ability to fold forward to reach anything behind the seat. Other than that a pair of A4's in black leather can be bought with sub-belt slots and heaters pre-installed, bases shaved down an inch, and brackets with double-locking sliders all under $2k shipped. That really seems hard to beat since the seats are sized for small people like me... it will probably come down to the A4 or the Marrad conversion.
the craftsmanship, material quality and strength of frame is just not up to par
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 4
From: Lawrenceburg KY
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
I have also been interested in replacement seats for my '00 convertible (still have the stock seats).
was told that corbeau A4 was the best choice if i did not want to spend the extra money on Recaros.
but i was also told by someone else that Recaro seats do not fit in a C5 without significant modifications made to the doors and transmission tunnel.
can anyone verify this?
if they do fit, do only some models fit without any modification? if so, which ones?
was told that corbeau A4 was the best choice if i did not want to spend the extra money on Recaros.
but i was also told by someone else that Recaro seats do not fit in a C5 without significant modifications made to the doors and transmission tunnel.
can anyone verify this?
if they do fit, do only some models fit without any modification? if so, which ones?
The C5/6 chassis is narrow, but there are some seats skinny enough to fit. My other issue is I'm not a small guy. 6'4" with a 36" waist. So the seat has to be skinny enough to fit in the car, but wide enough for me to fit in it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I've got pair of Evo 8s going in next week. With manual sliders, they weigh about the same as the electric stock seats, but of much better, heavier duty construction. I had to fabricate my own brackets, modify the seat belt trim panel and install C6 belts, but it'll be worth it. Pictures will be forthcoming once they're in place. 
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
recaro seats
Today I spoke to Dave at the customer service section of the Recaro office in Auburn Hills, MI.
He informed me that because of the C5's narrow seat space, the only seats which will fit in a C5 (without modification to the car's interior) is the Profi and the Pole Position.
These are fixed seats and will require some customization of the C5's stock mounts or the mounts that they can provide. Their seats will not directly fit on to the stock mounts.
He informed me that because of the C5's narrow seat space, the only seats which will fit in a C5 (without modification to the car's interior) is the Profi and the Pole Position.
These are fixed seats and will require some customization of the C5's stock mounts or the mounts that they can provide. Their seats will not directly fit on to the stock mounts.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Today I spoke to Dave at the customer service section of the Recaro office in Auburn Hills, MI.
He informed me that because of the C5's narrow seat space, the only seats which will fit in a C5 (without modification to the car's interior) is the Profi and the Pole Position.
These are fixed seats and will require some customization of the C5's stock mounts or the mounts that they can provide. Their seats will not directly fit on to the stock mounts.
He informed me that because of the C5's narrow seat space, the only seats which will fit in a C5 (without modification to the car's interior) is the Profi and the Pole Position.
These are fixed seats and will require some customization of the C5's stock mounts or the mounts that they can provide. Their seats will not directly fit on to the stock mounts.
read this thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...or-the-c5.html
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
Yes, I have been told and have seen both Evo 8 and 9, but it seems the 10 might be too big. It's funny to me because my buddy has an Evo 8 and the main thing he doesn't like about the car is the seats.
He sat in mine and quit bitching. They are a nice OE seat.
He sat in mine and quit bitching. They are a nice OE seat.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 144
Likes: 1
From: Clarkston Michigan
To the guys that did this what did you do about the seat belt buckle? Im using Wedge engineering brackets. The buckle on the Evo seat is about 2.5" shorter than our stock Vette seats due to mounting point. The factory C5 belts wont fit into the Evo buckle. Did you guys cut down the buckle to length or swap the C5 buckle to the Evo bracket?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
To the guys that did this what did you do about the seat belt buckle? Im using Wedge engineering brackets. The buckle on the Evo seat is about 2.5" shorter than our stock Vette seats due to mounting point. The factory C5 belts wont fit into the Evo buckle. Did you guys cut down the buckle to length or swap the C5 buckle to the Evo bracket?