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I'm 6'4, 285, 40 waist, 52 jacket, so...wider at the top than the middle. I have recently started looking for a C8 and drove one today with GT2 seats, which were not comfortable at all. While snug (but tolerable) in the waist area, the issue is where the side bolster narrows. The part circled hits me right in the ribs, creating a pressure point. There's no way I could tolerate that for an extended drive. Having read that GT1 seats might be a better fit for wide bodies, I found one for sale locally and asked to sit in it. It was worse. If the GT2 side bolster was a little less padded and the void along the straight red line was eliminated, I think it would work. For reference, my C6 seats are acceptably comfortable.
Has anyone had any custom upholstery modifications done to improve the comfort of the seats?
I had the same issue even after adjusting the bolsters out. 26 with GT2 seats. After 120 miles, the bolster padding is taking a set and seats feels much better.
When I was shopping for my Corvette, I couldn't find a great deal of Information on what seats to buy.
Finally the general consensus was the GT1 seats, the GT2 seats were advised as being a bit uncomfortable for touring. The Mustang community said the same thing about the Recaros which were optional awhile back.
More recently, I say a "Corvette Rick" video where he recommended GT 3 seats for larger/taller ownets.
I'm 6'3", 200 pounds but not large.
So, I got the GT1s. I hope they're comfortable because I'm stuck with them in my yet to be delivered C8.
Checking out threads and wondering if you ever tried anything. I'm very close to you at 6'4, 250, 40, 50. The pressure point circled in Red is the same area on my GT1 seats. I went to a seat shop, they do hotrods etc. After talking with the guys, they cut a piece of foam, about 1" thick. and had me try it out.
a 1" pad on the set back just below the GT2 in your pic would probably help. By using that, I didn't sit as far into the seat. It was a lot more comfortable. They hadn't done a c8 before and decided not to try it. But they gave me the foam. I have'nt had much time to find another shop, but when I do, I'd like them to add a 1" pad to the back center section by opening up my stock seat and putting it between the OEM foam and base.
Good luck and if anyone else has tried something add a post.
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I have had entire interiors redone and other Vette seats modified by my long-time auto upholsterer with great success. It can be surprising to the inexperienced what good upholsterers can do.
I have had entire interiors redone and other Vette seats modified by my long-time auto upholsterer with great success. It can be surprising to the inexperienced what good upholsterers can do.
I only tried the one shop, I will try to locate another. I wish there was a way to add an inflatable lumbar, even if it had a bulb pump. Based on the foam, it would make a world of difference for a lot of owners/drivers.
I was in a similar situation with both my C7 and now C8, the thigh bolsters were killing me and causing me to sit sideways which tweaked a nerve after a while. A local reputable upholstery shop swapped swapped the rock hard boltster padding with a much sofiter and more pliable padding. Night and day difference. I still fit snug in the seat, but the bolsters give enough to not cause a pressure ulcer.
Trying to find a goid shop (if you live outside a major city) is the trouble.
The best shop here closed when the owner retired and he could find a younger guy to rake over the shop.
The same thing happened to my Mercedes garage and the 911 expert in town.
I was in a similar situation with both my C7 and now C8, the thigh bolsters were killing me and causing me to sit sideways which tweaked a nerve after a while. A local reputable upholstery shop swapped swapped the rock hard boltster padding with a much sofiter and more pliable padding. Night and day difference. I still fit snug in the seat, but the bolsters give enough to not cause a pressure ulcer.
I'm 6'4, 285, 40 waist, 52 jacket, so...wider at the top than the middle. I have recently started looking for a C8 and drove one today with GT2 seats, which were not comfortable at all. While snug (but tolerable) in the waist area, the issue is where the side bolster narrows. The part circled hits me right in the ribs, creating a pressure point. There's no way I could tolerate that for an extended drive. Having read that GT1 seats might be a better fit for wide bodies, I found one for sale locally and asked to sit in it. It was worse. If the GT2 side bolster was a little less padded and the void along the straight red line was eliminated, I think it would work. For reference, my C6 seats are acceptably comfortable.
Has anyone had any custom upholstery modifications done to improve the comfort of the seats?
Basically the same issue with the GT1 seats I have, this is what I did. 2023 HTC 1LT with the GT1 seats. This is my first c8 from a c6. I'm 6'4", 245lbs, 50L coat, 38 waist, 34 inseam, big guy proportional. All that being said, The side bolsters were snug at the bottom of my ribs. I toyed around with having the seat padding changed but decided to take it apart myself first. Besides, i have the light interior and might change to black seats one day so I wanted to see if it was doable myself. I removed the seat, took the top apart to frame. Measured the bolsters at multiple points and then spread them open a little at a time for 1" more on the inside and 3/4" more on the outside. The outside shell flexed to reassemble, I heated the shell at the top near my ribs and opened the plastic shell up an inch or so too. It's more comfortable now and that is all i was going for. I also placed a 1" thick square of foam in the center lumbar between the frame and factory foam. OEM seat cover fits fine, just looking at it, you would never know. I'm happy with the result. And.... if I ever needed to take it back to stock, new seat back frames are $75. I'm going to order one in a few days and stretch it out also for the passenger side, I'll swap out the back frame over the winter or rainy weekend. Hope this helps someone.
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Has anyone modified your seats?
