66dts-v

So after rebuilding my seat twice, I decided it was long overdue. I am wicked indecisive, but my butt hurts. I am also wicked cheap, so there is that. This is a "for now" fix to prepare for legit seats.

Parts list:
eBay seat $108 (Recaro Speed replica)
C6 belts $55
DNA seat mounts (backup plan)

The goal is stock power rails on the cheapo seat. If it works, this winter I will get the seats my butt and car deserve.

Question for those who swapped C6 belts. Why the extender? Is it really needed?

redzg

Interested in how this turns out -- and have a couple of questions, if you don't mind too much.
I've looked at some of the Ebay seats, and wonder at the padding. Have you tried the Ebay seats somewhere? Do the seats recline? If so, why stick with the power rails? Would seem to me that if I went with a different seat, I'd want to see if I couldn't get it lower in the car. I'm not super tall, but trying to look through the header bar at red lights gets old.
Haven't we seen the Ebay seats used with the C5 belts?
Lastly, some have done photos during their install -- any chance you will do the same? I went with new foam and new leather on the original seats. They look fine, and sit fine, but just fine. Not nearly as wonderful as $1.2K should feel.

Vetteman Jack

neutron82

what extender are you referring to?... you can easily make the c6 belts work in the c5 receiver if that's what you are talking about, you just need to grind a small amount of material from the buckles and they will work just like the original c5 buckles

Toys4Life C5

I too hope you will post up pics of the seat project! Question, why go to C6 belts. I have driven a few C6's but dont recall a difference... (does not mean there is not ..I could drive by a pile up and probably not see it (:-) )

neutron82

you will gain 2-3" of clearance by eliminating the lower retractor which the c6 doesn't use... you will need to cut the trim panel accordingly but that won't really be seen once the seat is installed

66dts-v

The wood is a template for the plate steel. Swapping the bolts that came with the seat for button heads. Need to cut the panel and Fab a mount for the power controls.

66dts-v

Need to paint the strips then bolt it together and get it back in the car.

neutron82

have you test fitted them in the car yet?... with the seat back being taller and sitting on the stock sliders it might touch the headliner or not even fit... if that happens you could try to figure out a way to lower the seat bases or get an aftermarket base

Route99

Nice price for Recaro look alikes.
Subscribing.

redzg

That is one darn fine looking seat! Color doesn't look to far off from my point of view. Looks like comfort could be a big step up.

66dts-v

Ok, a few issues. I had put the seat all the way up when I took it out and couldn't get it to go down when I put it back in. I took the seat back off the track, put the naked track with the plates back in. I noticed the plate flexing when fully down. I put it as far down as I could and remounted the seat. The allen heads wear a bitch to get to, but I got it. Put the seat back in and I am still a good inch too damn high. I fit, but it's too close for me (6' 4").

My DNA seat brackets get here Wednesday. I will mess with it more between now and then. It's dark and my bed time.

The seat does hit the door panel up top, but barley.

66dts-v

I will say the seat overall was totally worth $100, but it sure ain't a Recaro. It's too roomy in the back. I'm 210 with about a 32" waist. I would like something sunger. The Sparco R333 looks cool, I will sit in it this week if a local shop has one.

Even though I am a cheap bastard, dropping $100 on a seat wasn't bad. I wouldn't drop $500+ unless my *** has tested it first.

66dts-v

Morning commute was interesting. I am more than an inch higher. My head is an inch from the headliner and I am eye level with the mirror. Not bad visibility other than not seeing a traffic light when stopped.

I will add some lumbar support to the back. Even though I have wiggle room in the back, the side bolster are nice and solid. My drive in is all hwy. The drive home will be Germantown to Skyline to Rocky Point (for those who might k ow Portland). See how the twisties are.

My left hip has developed a callus from sitting on the metal seat frame for about 50k miles. My *** needs to adjust. Seat is centered, but it's just a little too big. It will work out for now, but a slightly skinnier seat is in order. I know what fits now.

66dts-v

You can see how tight the fit is. I haven't trimmed the panel yet as I was fighting the driving position.

66dts-v

The drive home was awesome. Just after Logie Trail, a pearl white Ferrari came screaming up behind me. I dropped a gear and my $14k daily driver gave him a run for his money.

When a $100 eBay seat makes it feel like a new car, it makes me realize just how bad the stock seats are. Last night my wife says "are you looking at seats?" Yes, yes I am. If a cheap seat made this much difference, I can't wait for a real seat!

I told her I only bought one to try out the belt conversion and check fit. This seat is bigger than the others I am looking at. Mostly Recaro GT3 seats. Something legit.

66dts-v

My DNA seat brackets showed up and the predrilled holes are a good half inch off. I was able to lube up the rear seat pivots and got the seat a little lower on the power rails. Not sure if I will drill new mount holes or continue to fuss with stock.

bertha

I am interested in this too

DonsLS1

66dts-v

Its actually the same seat they've had for a while. Same seat that's in the Evo 8. They are just now promoting it