The Sport Seats are better IMO.
C5 Z06 seats
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Z06 seats are the base Corvette seats with perforated leather inserts. No adjustable lumbar support or harness slot like the optional sports seats found in coupes and convertibles. The idea was to save weight, so the base seats were used.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 13
From: Colorado
The optional sport seats may be what you're looking for. They have a lower and middle lumbar as well as the side airbag bolsters. I'm on my second C5 and first with these seats and they are nicer than a 20-year newer vehicle I have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,950
Likes: 1,700
From: North Coast
The FRC was to be the base cheap Corvette but then they marketed it as the light weight performance car and gave it more power after the first year.
I think they left the base seats in to keep the cost down. The Sport seats have the slot so you can use a harness.
While the stock seats are not perfect they can be made much better witht he parts we can get today. Also it is a must you put a piece of Burlap on the seat springs. this will save the Foam and keep the seat shape. Most factory seats have been cut my the springs and it make the leather lose and the seat bottom flat.
Most seats in car over 20 years old begin to degrade as the foam becomes as they call it deal. A replacement bottom it a big difference Not expensive either.
Racing seats are good for track time to hold you in but they can be a pain if you drive much. Best to match the seat to the use it will see. Not everyone has the same needs.
I think they left the base seats in to keep the cost down. The Sport seats have the slot so you can use a harness.
While the stock seats are not perfect they can be made much better witht he parts we can get today. Also it is a must you put a piece of Burlap on the seat springs. this will save the Foam and keep the seat shape. Most factory seats have been cut my the springs and it make the leather lose and the seat bottom flat.
Most seats in car over 20 years old begin to degrade as the foam becomes as they call it deal. A replacement bottom it a big difference Not expensive either.
Racing seats are good for track time to hold you in but they can be a pain if you drive much. Best to match the seat to the use it will see. Not everyone has the same needs.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 324
From: Mid Ohio
I have a 04Z and here is what I did.
- I ordered new foam for cushion and back
- I added 1" memory foam between the flexmat (wires) and the bottom of the new foam.
- I installed the bushing kit that eliminates the back and forth rocking
My seat is now excellent for cruising and long trips. No saddle soreness at all.
I will say this... when I'm on the tail of the dragon with hard turns I do not have enough side to side support to hold me still. But if your like me.. only doing hard corning once a yr... its much nicer to live w/a soft seat than a hard one for the other 99% of your time.
btw, I'd rather make some foam pads and put them on my sides for the ONCE a yr event than to live with hard bolstering the other 99% that I don't need it. Shoot... I even have a special pair of shoes for running the dragon (I trimmed the side souls/rubber so I could pedal quickly and not catch the other shoe).
In my 50s now... we compromise WAY TOO MUCH in life for the 1%. Why not compromise the 1% for the 99%!!
- I ordered new foam for cushion and back
- I added 1" memory foam between the flexmat (wires) and the bottom of the new foam.
- I installed the bushing kit that eliminates the back and forth rocking
My seat is now excellent for cruising and long trips. No saddle soreness at all.
I will say this... when I'm on the tail of the dragon with hard turns I do not have enough side to side support to hold me still. But if your like me.. only doing hard corning once a yr... its much nicer to live w/a soft seat than a hard one for the other 99% of your time.
btw, I'd rather make some foam pads and put them on my sides for the ONCE a yr event than to live with hard bolstering the other 99% that I don't need it. Shoot... I even have a special pair of shoes for running the dragon (I trimmed the side souls/rubber so I could pedal quickly and not catch the other shoe).
In my 50s now... we compromise WAY TOO MUCH in life for the 1%. Why not compromise the 1% for the 99%!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
When I ordered my 98 there were not a lot of C5 available to see the difference in the two seats. I ordered the base seat. After a few years and seeing the difference,and my bolster starting to split. I bought a set of sport seats. Out of an 02 that had more miles than my car. After quite a few years I pulled the drivers seat and had new foam and the seat rebuilt the way it should be made. Today these seats are still original leather and in great shape
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,950
Likes: 1,700
From: North Coast
One thing with the C5 seats is keep them treated and you can avoid many of the lines in the seats. Often you can reduce them if they have started.
The leather takes no neglect.
When buying any C5 the first thing to do is pull the drivers seat. Replace the bushings and foam. The cover if needed. Then add the burlap and you will have a seat that is like new. Not hard to do and one of the best improvements. Even low mile cars can use this.
The leather takes no neglect.
When buying any C5 the first thing to do is pull the drivers seat. Replace the bushings and foam. The cover if needed. Then add the burlap and you will have a seat that is like new. Not hard to do and one of the best improvements. Even low mile cars can use this.