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I currently have a C5 Z06 that desperately needs the seats replaced. Now, I am searching for junkyard C7 seats to put in the car. However, I used to work at a dealership with a collision shop inside it. They currently have a C8 that may be totaled, and my old manager called me, I may be able to get the seats for a great deal.
I already did a little searching, and to my knowledge, no one has done the swap yet, but one member with a C8 measured the C8 seats, and they are only half an inch wider than C5 seats, so they should fit. Right now, my budget is about $1,500 all in. (broke student - that's why I'm looking through junkyards). I'm willing to potentially go up to $2,000 if I go with these C8 seats in the interest of being the first person to do it and providing something for the community.
What kind of issues should I anticipate? I'm looking at just doing a direct swap, I'm handy, so light fabrication or cutting is something I'm capable of. If I have to replace rails and drill some holes, that can be done. I can do basic wiring, so even though there are no adapters available for this, I should be able to get power seats working with some guidance or official wiring diagrams.
My main concern is money. If the swap is too complex or heavy fabrication and modification need to be done, I may not be able to do it. I'm worried about what labor will cost if I can't do it myself. I'm located in Lubbock Texas so if anyone is around that's willing to help, please let me know.
Right now, If you have any info on what the swap will take, please reach out. I'm really interested in being a guinea pig and maybe getting some sick working C8 seats out of it. Also, if you have any info on where I may be able to get any parts that I don't know exist like wiring adapters, seat rails, heck even full seats (C7 or C8) if my deal falls through let me know.
If I should post this in other forums such as the C8 forum or C5 tech forum, let me know.
Last edited by Matyas; Jan 31, 2022 at 09:01 PM.
Reason: grammar
Here's a quick photo of the results!! I'm going to make a new thread that about the installation so other have guidance if they try. I love these seats. They have transformed the car!
I don't think they haven't changed the bolt spacing because some guys in the track groups have moved their race seats/mounts from their C7s to their C8s.
Not that I've looked, but C7 seats are still $2k plus per set. If I'm spending that much money on a seat, I'm probably going to get a real race seat in most cases. C8 seats are surely harder to find/more money - not many of them wrecked yet (or built, for that matter.... thanks UAW strike, COVID, chip shortage, magnesium shortage, Bowling Green tornado, and who knows what the hell else that will surely impact the auto industry)
Yeah with my budget I'm looking at all junkyard seats. None of the aftermarket seats I looked at fit my need to be comfortable but have great support and all within my budget. If any of you find C8 seats or for that matter C7 comp seats under $2k I definitely want to get them in. Hopefully, these C8 seats come through for me.
do it!
You'll likely have to swap out the c5 seatbelts for c6 seatbelts-- the c5 seatbelt has a retractor at the bottom and top, the c6 only has one on the top, and you gain about 2". When I installed my c7 seats, I couldn't move them all the way back, they hit the sides. The c6 seatbetls gave me all the room I needed.
do it!
You'll likely have to swap out the c5 seatbelts for c6 seatbelts-- the c5 seatbelt has a retractor at the bottom and top, the c6 only has one on the top, and you gain about 2". When I installed my c7 seats, I couldn't move them all the way back, they hit the sides. The c6 seatbetls gave me all the room I needed.
How difficult is the seat belt swap and how costly? Emphasis on the cost. I'm 6' 1" so I may need the space. I keep my seats pretty far forward for my size.
How difficult is the seat belt swap and how costly? Emphasis on the cost. I'm 6' 1" so I may need the space. I keep my seats pretty far forward for my size.
Should take no more than half an hour, if you take your time. It's super easy.
I bought a set of c6 seatbelts for like $60 off ebay.
it's unfortunately necessary with a LOT of seats out there, the base on the c5 is really narrow, even with after market racing seats you're likely going to have to do something like this.
The only other issue you'll have is getting power to the c8 seats. On the c7 seats, getting the power to work (forward/back/recline etc) is trivial -- just tap into three wires on the harness under the seat. getting the telescoping steering to work is slightly more involved, if you have it (GM runs the telescoping through the seat module). wiring everything in doesn't cast anytthing, just tap into a few wires, reuse your existing seat module and harness.
The issue you'll have is getting the pinout on the c8 harness-- you'll need to know where power, ground, and ref go. shouldn't be that hard to find. Once you ahve that, you just those into the power/ground on the c5, and you're good to go.
Should take no more than half an hour, if you take your time. It's super easy.
I bought a set of c6 seatbelts for like $60 off ebay.
it's unfortunately necessary with a LOT of seats out there, the base on the c5 is really narrow, even with after market racing seats you're likely going to have to do something like this.
The only other issue you'll have is getting power to the c8 seats. On the c7 seats, getting the power to work (forward/back/recline etc) is trivial -- just tap into three wires on the harness under the seat. getting the telescoping steering to work is slightly more involved, if you have it (GM runs the telescoping through the seat module). wiring everything in doesn't cast anytthing, just tap into a few wires, reuse your existing seat module and harness.
The issue you'll have is getting the pinout on the c8 harness-- you'll need to know where power, ground, and ref go. shouldn't be that hard to find. Once you ahve that, you just those into the power/ground on the c5, and you're good to go.
Oh, and you're going to lose seat memory.
good to know the seatbelts are cheap to swap out. It sounds like wiring won't be a huge challenge. I don't have telescopic steering and seat memory isn't a deal breaker for me. I'm really the only one that drives my car.
good to know the seatbelts are cheap to swap out. It sounds like wiring won't be a huge challenge. I don't have telescopic steering and seat memory isn't a deal breaker for me. I'm really the only one that drives my car.
yeah, seat memory isn't a big deal.
If you don't have telescoping steering, then it should be child's play to wire up the c8 seat, just ask in the c8 forum if anyone has pin outs on the seat, should just need power / ground, maybe power/ground ref.
@Matyas For about $1k you can refurbish completely your seats (cover/foam) to make them to your liking and pretty decent for street driving.
my 0,02
TCFS
@Matyas For about $1k you can refurbish completely your seats (cover/foam) to make them to your liking and pretty decent for street driving.
my 0,02
TCFS
I'm uninterested in refurbishing them. Especially at a price that is nearly half of what new seats would cost. The c5 seats just don't hold up to aftermarket or c7/c8. Thanks for offering!
I would really like to do the C8 seats for the community too.
I also encourage you to SIT in a set first. Those GT1 seats, in my opinion, suck. The headrest (using that term loosely) is as hard as a rock and not somewhere I would want to spend any time.
Well they are asking $2,500 + shipping for C8 competition seats. That is a good deal, but I'm not sure it's in the cards. That's way too much money for me.
This seems like a cool and interesting project. As others have said, I think the reason it hasn't been done before is just due to the general lack of C8 seat availability. If you can get your hands on a set, they could likely be made to work. I don't think the side airbags would function (but C5s don't have side airbags anyway). I agree that you would almost certainly need to do a seatbelt swap, but that's not a big deal. If you end up doing this, make sure that you document it well.
C8 Seats in a C5
