Dittohead_nm

My 18 year old 2000 C5, which I bought new, is starting to get a little rough around the edges. For one thing, the OEM under-hood liner has been badly deteriorated over the years, in part due to mice. I would like to replace that with an after market version that might be less susceptible to mice.

Also, the drivers seat is finally giving out and splitting badly and I'd be interested in recommendations for places that can do reupholstery - possibly some mild custom upholstery.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Velocity_Vette

The under hood liner (it's actually a fire suppression blanket officially; when there's an under hood fire the plastic plugs melt before the blanket, dropping the blanket onto the engine and - hopefully - putting out the fire) is offered through vendors but it's typically the same item that you can buy from GM. I'm not aware of anyone that offers anything specifically aftermarket but those same vendors will sell you decals and such to apply to the liner.

Most people buy the liner through their local Chevrolet dealer, then go there and pick it up. Shipping the liner is often cost prohibitive because of it's size and this saves on having to deal with shipping.

Re: upholstery I would simply check with local upholstery shops that are highly rated and see what they can do. You may also ask your local Corvette club(s) if the members have someone or a company they recommend. You can obviously buy new upholstery from plenty of vendors but this often equals both lots of $$$$ and having to do the work yourself (or find someone that will install it all).

Vetteman Jack

I do not know of another source for a hoodliner other than GM and unless you want a custom painted one, your best bet is to just buy one from your local dealer.

A local upholstery shop may be able to make you a set of quality seat covers or you can look at what the forum vendors have to offer. Prices vary, sometimes significantly, for a set.

99 VET

Take a look at Car Motorsports, www.carmotorsports.com. I purchased a kit from them yrs ago & have been very happy with the results & after several yrs it still looks like new! The kit goes over your current insulator & you can have custom embroidery if you want...Good Luck...

v6turbo87

Leave you hood up when its in storage. Mice would prefer a horizontal surface to nest in rather than a vertical one. They also prefer dark spaces. I have a window in my garage so the whole engine bay gets light for at least part of the day while in storage. Not saying this will keep mice out 100% but ever little deterrent helps.

The Rabbi

Just had Katzkin.com covers installed. Nice leather. Call them for an installer in your area, they don't sell direct.

ironranger

Better yet put some dryer sheets in the engine bay and a bag of moth ***** on the floor below the engine.

knewblewkorvette

These guys are now a Forum vendor for seat covers

https://ridies.com/Products/Corvette/C5

JETZ

Please stop the madness! If the ‘fire suppression’ fantasy was real, wouldn’t ALL cars have one? That is such an old myth. It is a engine noise suppressor period.

frank

Dittohead_nm

Thanks all for the info and suggestions folks! Also, thanks for the link to Ridies. Prices look good - wondering if anyone has experience with their seat covers?

LoneStarLizzard

There are a number of sources for replacement seat covers, and their prices and quality vary. So search to your heart's content.

That said, with your engineering background you should relish the task of installing those new seat covers yourself. I did this same project about 4 years ago, and used forum show-n-tell posts to guide me. Easy-peasey.


When you do this, consider doing a couple of other things as part of the process.

1. If you haven't tacked the "rocking seat" issue, do so while your seats are out of the car. The fix is simple to do, and the cost of doing it is very nominal.

2. Consider replacing your seat's bottom (seat) and back foam padding. If your seat covers are worn out, chances are the foam is, too. And while you're doing that consider addressing the seat frame's structural deficiencies that lead to accelerated foam deterioration. (e.g. place carpet liner, a towel or something similar on top of the seat's wire grill to prevent that grill from cutting the seat's foam, and line the perimeter of the seat frame with tubing so that the frame doesn't cut into the back/bottom padding).

There are threads that show these fixes.

Have fun.

The Lizzard

JimHarris4

LoneStarLizzard

Here's a thread for the "rocking seat" fix: http://www.lieblweb.com/c5seatfix.html

Here's a thread for fixing the seat foam pad issues:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...-than-new.html


Hope these help.

The Lizzard

knewblewkorvette

Thanks for the link, my 99 has the "rocking seat" problem. Well, at least the driver's seat slides forward some during hard braking.

chasboy

I have covers from a company that sells the same covers. They are great. Ridies, based here is better for communication. Customization is VERY flexible. My seats:

0Ridies

Your seats look amazing.

Can you send us few pictures? We would love to offer this to more customers. Will appreciate it. You can pm us those pictures or send us to support@ridies.com

Thanks

chasboy

Gladly. Supporting people who provide great service/products is a hobby of mine. Give me a day, (raining here in NJ....again) so I can take some direct pix rather than the “whole interior’ shots I have on file now.

bc6152

Installed a week ago Monday from Ridies...

chasboy

Beautiful!! Love that selfie!!

bc6152

Uh, yeah. That was unintentional... But thanks I think...