which fixed back seat
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 33
From: TN
which fixed back seat
After being away from the Vette world for a few years I find myself as the excited new owner of a 2008 base Z51 manual trans vette.
However this one needs some help... driver seat back is actually broken, not a big deal as i wanted a new seat anyway.
Calling on the wisdom of the forum for guidance...
Car will be used as a spirited mountain driving and HPDE car, I want a seat with substantial side bolsters so I can focus on driving not pinning my arms and legs against random interior bits trying to stay in the seat.
Prefer FIA certification but not needed, would prefer something more "entry level" / "cost conscious"... i know... what am i thinking using the term"cost conscious" on a vette forum...
Need something with sliders, would prefer using the stock power sliders if possible.
Need to use stock 3-point seat belt
I am 5'7", 160lbs, 34 pant size, and need to fit in the car with a helmet
I did some research, a lot of people post solutions but now i have too many choices...
Trying to decide between the following:
1) Cobra Monaco Pro (FIA): https://www.cobraseats-usa.com/item/...pro/motorsport
2) OMP TRS-X (FIA): https://www.us.ompracing.com/p/racin...fia-8855-1999/
3) Sparco Sprint (FIA): https://www.lgmotorsports.com/sparco-sprint-seat.html
4) Momo start (FIA): https://momomotorsport.com/vehicle-s...hzCH-APx-dFbwS
5) Racequip 16" (FIA): https://www.holley.com/products/safe...ts/96775579RQP
6) Corbeau FX1 pro (not FIA): https://corbeau.com/products/fx1-pro...46087666598045
6) Braum Elite-R (not FIA): https://shop.redline360.com/products...40273764286544
7) Braum Venom-X (not FIA): https://shop.redline360.com/products...40273800527952
Questions:
1) which do you recommend or which would you cross off the list?
2) installing on stock power sliders... am i out of line? will it put me too high up?
3) all advice is welcome
Thanks in advance.
However this one needs some help... driver seat back is actually broken, not a big deal as i wanted a new seat anyway.
Calling on the wisdom of the forum for guidance...
Car will be used as a spirited mountain driving and HPDE car, I want a seat with substantial side bolsters so I can focus on driving not pinning my arms and legs against random interior bits trying to stay in the seat.
Prefer FIA certification but not needed, would prefer something more "entry level" / "cost conscious"... i know... what am i thinking using the term"cost conscious" on a vette forum...
Need something with sliders, would prefer using the stock power sliders if possible.
Need to use stock 3-point seat belt
I am 5'7", 160lbs, 34 pant size, and need to fit in the car with a helmet
I did some research, a lot of people post solutions but now i have too many choices...
Trying to decide between the following:
2) OMP TRS-X (FIA): https://www.us.ompracing.com/p/racin...fia-8855-1999/
4) Momo start (FIA): https://momomotorsport.com/vehicle-s...hzCH-APx-dFbwS
5) Racequip 16" (FIA): https://www.holley.com/products/safe...ts/96775579RQP
6) Corbeau FX1 pro (not FIA): https://corbeau.com/products/fx1-pro...46087666598045
7) Braum Venom-X (not FIA): https://shop.redline360.com/products...40273800527952
Questions:
1) which do you recommend or which would you cross off the list?
2) installing on stock power sliders... am i out of line? will it put me too high up?
3) all advice is welcome
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by luka2sb; Oct 17, 2025 at 09:24 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,396
Likes: 6,536
From: Melbourne, FL
Cross the Braum and Corbeaus off the list.. Braums are cheap eBay crap.
As far as the actual good seats, I ran OMP WRCs, but really it's a very personal decision. The OMPs fit me well, but they were not comfortable for on buddy who was the same height as me. I think you pretty much have to go sit in a bunch of seats at a race shop.
You're likely going to want aftermarket sliders to mount the seats lower. I think some of the seat brackets come with sliders built in now. I don't know there are any FOA rated sliders though.
As far as the actual good seats, I ran OMP WRCs, but really it's a very personal decision. The OMPs fit me well, but they were not comfortable for on buddy who was the same height as me. I think you pretty much have to go sit in a bunch of seats at a race shop.
You're likely going to want aftermarket sliders to mount the seats lower. I think some of the seat brackets come with sliders built in now. I don't know there are any FOA rated sliders though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
A Corbeau A4 would be least expensive and you can use it full time with your 3-point belts.
I started with a Corbeau FX1 Pro seat on their double-locking sliders. Fit in a C5 Z06 and with helmet on just shy of the roof. I would swap out my stock seat for it to do AX and HPDE. I wouldn't drive with any of those seats with stock 3-point belts continuously. They are not designed for that. That is where the rub comes in playing with race seats. I got a harness bar and 5-point harness to use with it. That is safer and will keep you planted in the seat. It's not just bolsters you need to pin you down. Also for HPDE use you need a decent helmet.
It's a slippery slope from there if you get hooked on HPDE driving. It's like crack, only more expensive, but wild fun driving it like it was designed for.
I started with a Corbeau FX1 Pro seat on their double-locking sliders. Fit in a C5 Z06 and with helmet on just shy of the roof. I would swap out my stock seat for it to do AX and HPDE. I wouldn't drive with any of those seats with stock 3-point belts continuously. They are not designed for that. That is where the rub comes in playing with race seats. I got a harness bar and 5-point harness to use with it. That is safer and will keep you planted in the seat. It's not just bolsters you need to pin you down. Also for HPDE use you need a decent helmet.
It's a slippery slope from there if you get hooked on HPDE driving. It's like crack, only more expensive, but wild fun driving it like it was designed for.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 33
From: TN
Cross the Braum and Corbeaus off the list.. Braums are cheap eBay crap.
As far as the actual good seats, I ran OMP WRCs, but really it's a very personal decision. The OMPs fit me well, but they were not comfortable for on buddy who was the same height as me. I think you pretty much have to go sit in a bunch of seats at a race shop.
You're likely going to want aftermarket sliders to mount the seats lower. I think some of the seat brackets come with sliders built in now. I don't know there are any FOA rated sliders though.
As far as the actual good seats, I ran OMP WRCs, but really it's a very personal decision. The OMPs fit me well, but they were not comfortable for on buddy who was the same height as me. I think you pretty much have to go sit in a bunch of seats at a race shop.
You're likely going to want aftermarket sliders to mount the seats lower. I think some of the seat brackets come with sliders built in now. I don't know there are any FOA rated sliders though.
You bring up a good point, since i'll be on sliders either way that kind of negates any benefit of being an FIA seat? maybe i'll end up with a fixed mount after all.
I started with a Corbeau FX1 Pro seat on their double-locking sliders. Fit in a C5 Z06 and with helmet on just shy of the roof. I would swap out my stock seat for it to do AX and HPDE. I wouldn't drive with any of those seats with stock 3-point belts continuously. They are not designed for that. That is where the rub comes in playing with race seats. I got a harness bar and 5-point harness to use with it. That is safer and will keep you planted in the seat. It's not just bolsters you need to pin you down. Also for HPDE use you need a decent helmet.
A friend steered me away from tube frame seats due to his experience of the padding disintegrating against the tube then you're left with an uncomfortable seat, if i was to follow that advice and focus on composite seats that leaves me with Corbeau, Racequip, or Momo.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,396
Likes: 6,536
From: Melbourne, FL
Most of the big name guys (sparco, omp, cobra, Recaro) offer kits to re pad and/or reupholster a seat. That's not a big risk IMO on a tube seat.
All that said, seats are IMO like a helmet or any other safety gear. Is your health worth a a $300 seat or helmet, or an $800 one or a $2500 one? These are critical safety items that could be life, death, or potato'd. Don't forget that you need really need 6 point harnesses and a HANS to be safe again. Then it's cbersome AF on the street. Then headroom might become an issue.
Not trying to talk you out of it, but just pointing out that it gets a lot more complex when you get rid of the factory seats or belts or whatever, as it's all designed as a system. If you're not ready and willing to go all in, and all out.... Just get replacement OEM seats, either C6 or C7 if you want an upgrade, or fix the ones you have.
All that said, seats are IMO like a helmet or any other safety gear. Is your health worth a a $300 seat or helmet, or an $800 one or a $2500 one? These are critical safety items that could be life, death, or potato'd. Don't forget that you need really need 6 point harnesses and a HANS to be safe again. Then it's cbersome AF on the street. Then headroom might become an issue.
Not trying to talk you out of it, but just pointing out that it gets a lot more complex when you get rid of the factory seats or belts or whatever, as it's all designed as a system. If you're not ready and willing to go all in, and all out.... Just get replacement OEM seats, either C6 or C7 if you want an upgrade, or fix the ones you have.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 33
From: TN
All that said, seats are IMO like a helmet or any other safety gear. Is your health worth a a $300 seat or helmet, or an $800 one or a $2500 one? These are critical safety items that could be life, death, or potato'd. Don't forget that you need really need 6 point harnesses and a HANS to be safe again. Then it's cbersome AF on the street. Then headroom might become an issue.
Not trying to talk you out of it, but just pointing out that it gets a lot more complex when you get rid of the factory seats or belts or whatever, as it's all designed as a system. If you're not ready and willing to go all in, and all out.... Just get replacement OEM seats, either C6 or C7 if you want an upgrade, or fix the ones you have.
Not trying to talk you out of it, but just pointing out that it gets a lot more complex when you get rid of the factory seats or belts or whatever, as it's all designed as a system. If you're not ready and willing to go all in, and all out.... Just get replacement OEM seats, either C6 or C7 if you want an upgrade, or fix the ones you have.
