Lowering Stock Seats
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Lowering Stock Seats
I will be buying my first Vette, a used C5 in the next month or two. I have my heart set on a Convertible with a 6 speed. I have sat in several C5 'verts, and I have a small problem. I am 6'2" and my hair rubs the inside of the roof with the top up. Wearing my favorite hat is impossible.
Is there any way to lower the factory seats about half an inch or more? I would be willing to install aftermarket brackets and lose the power adjustments.
A friend of mine is a machinist with a lot of tools and a welder. Do you think he could shorten the factory brackets?
Thanks,
Ed
Powell, OH
Is there any way to lower the factory seats about half an inch or more? I would be willing to install aftermarket brackets and lose the power adjustments.
A friend of mine is a machinist with a lot of tools and a welder. Do you think he could shorten the factory brackets?
Thanks,
Ed
Powell, OH
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
I don't see how the brackets could be shortened any more, but you could try taking some foam out of the seat bottoms.
Even aftermarket race seats with side brackets have a hard time getting low enough to sit lower than the stock seats allow.
Even aftermarket race seats with side brackets have a hard time getting low enough to sit lower than the stock seats allow.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton il
I'm 6'-6" and I just barely fit in the vert otherwise I'd be driving a Z06
I just sat in a new C6 Z06 and it was unreal! I could drive it, but if I hit the gas I would be pushed back into a crowded position and my head would hit the roof. In the vert you get about another 3/4" headroom with the top up and by design it has more room reclined back where your head meets the top. Top down the sky is the limit! Anyone taller than 6'-6" would have a tuff time in any corvette. If you find a way to lower the seat (other than removing the seat foam) let me know I'd be interested. Most replacement seats present the same problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Overland Park KS
I'm 6' 6" and when it came to buying a C5, the only thing I could fit comfortably within was a coupe with the lexan targa top - and I still have to slouch some to make it work. The Z06 was not an option, plus I wanted a removable top anyway. The vert worked very well with the top down, but with the top-up it just didn't work for me.
In the end, it's a subjective thing. The best thing you could do is find a vert with the sport seats and a telesopic steering wheel - then make your "fitment" decision.
In the end, it's a subjective thing. The best thing you could do is find a vert with the sport seats and a telesopic steering wheel - then make your "fitment" decision.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 0
From: Maumelle AR
One of the issues in removing seat springs in the current seat is the back adjuster. With the springs removed you will be placing more stress on the adjuster mechanism.
In speaking with Rupert Bragg-Smith about his Z06's, this was a common thing they did to gain some headroom (and get you lower- what he was really after).
They stopped doing it after GM outsourced the seat adjusters from another vendor. The new adjuster does not hold as well as the older unit, and it would put too much pressure on the adjuster and it will let go.
I'm 6`1 and I sure could use a little extra headroom when I'm wearing my helmet.
Good luck.
In speaking with Rupert Bragg-Smith about his Z06's, this was a common thing they did to gain some headroom (and get you lower- what he was really after).
They stopped doing it after GM outsourced the seat adjusters from another vendor. The new adjuster does not hold as well as the older unit, and it would put too much pressure on the adjuster and it will let go.
I'm 6`1 and I sure could use a little extra headroom when I'm wearing my helmet.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Honestly, there are very few options to those of us who are tall. And, if you happen to have tall male drivers (6.6 ft.; and, my son is 6.2 ft.), you are hard pressed to even fit in the car. The C5 seat bottoms are tall and hollowed out to house all the intricate components for the power electric Halo Effect seat motors, air bladder lines, and, connecting harnesses.
On the other hand, custom fixed racing seats are designed with a shallow, flat bottom (not hollow), AND, may sit lower onto fixed side mount brackets. Hence, this arrangement may possibly allow you a little more room depending upon the brand and model racing seat. In my experience, this was the option that afforded me the extra room I needed. However, this option will force you to surrender your power seat options, unless, you are willing to spend the exhorbitant price for the Caravaggio seats which are basically a derivative of the Sparco seat carcass coupled to a much simpler and very basic in design power seat side mounted adjuster (no air bladders), BUT, costing SO MUCH, MUCH MORE. Good luck to you.
On the other hand, custom fixed racing seats are designed with a shallow, flat bottom (not hollow), AND, may sit lower onto fixed side mount brackets. Hence, this arrangement may possibly allow you a little more room depending upon the brand and model racing seat. In my experience, this was the option that afforded me the extra room I needed. However, this option will force you to surrender your power seat options, unless, you are willing to spend the exhorbitant price for the Caravaggio seats which are basically a derivative of the Sparco seat carcass coupled to a much simpler and very basic in design power seat side mounted adjuster (no air bladders), BUT, costing SO MUCH, MUCH MORE. Good luck to you.
