looking for better seats

[grumpyvette]

my sons 1992 corvettes got those damn narrow factory seats with the extended side supports that in his vette,are rather uncomfortable and difficult to get in and out of, and before you comment on my lack of weight watcher meeting attendance,being the main issue here I measured my corvette seats in all three of my corvettes and I fit and feel fine in those.
his seats need to be replaced or totally re-upholstered, they are just very uncomfortable.
so Im going to need to replace the seats as re-upholstering them would seem rather a waste of effort, so Im open for ideas gentlemen, as Im about to replace a good deal of his cars interior

[87vette81big]

Originally Posted by grumpyvette

my sons 1992 corvettes got those damn narrow factory seats with the extended side supports that in his vette,are rather uncomfortable and difficult to get in and out of, and before you comment on my lack of weight watcher meeting attendance,being the main issue here I measured my corvette seats in all three of my corvettes and I fit and feel fine in those.
his seats need to be replaced or totally re-upholstered, they are just very uncomfortable.
so Im going to need to replace the seats as re-upholstering them would seem rather a waste of effort, so Im open for ideas gentlemen, as Im about to replace a good deal of his cars interior

How tall is your Son Grumpy ?
That is more of an issue than body size or weight.
Unless your around 400lbs.
Not likely, C4 Corvette would be a poor choice of car then.
Heavy Metal 1964 to 1972 Chevelle or GTO be a good choice then.

I like the Sport leather seats in my 87.
Fit me fine at 5 foot 10 inches tall & 175lbs.
Lumber air bag supports quit working & never really cared for that feature anyhow.
Dual power sport seats in the 87.

If I was to replace the seats with anything else, it would Recaros. Have them in my 1970-1/2 TA. Most comfortable custom bucket seats I have ever owned. Were installed when I bought the TA in 1994 & have left them installed.
Porches are famous for coming with optional Recaro seats & owners-they love them.
Recaros are expensive to buy New or used.
Low ball used is around $1k for a nice pair.
Some models are high as $2K +.

1981 Pontiac Turbo Trans Ams with the Recaro seat option is One source used & look nice. Usually Red upholstery in the 1981 Recaro seat option Turbo T/A.
The Fox body Mustang made from 1979 to 1992 or so is another source for Recaro factory installed seats too.

Once you sit in a Musclecar with Recaro seats & adjusted to your liking, everything else for seats is just plain mundane.
I can sit in my Recaros for 5 hours at a time, get out & not the least bit sore or cramped, rigamortis joints.

BR

[grumpyvette]

Im a bit larger than normal at 6'3" and 280 lbs but I do fit in my vettes, yes I will admit they could use a couple inches more leg and head room, but its not so cramped as to make it difficult to drive just a bit difficult to easily access

[87vette81big]

Originally Posted by grumpyvette

Im a bit larger than normal at 6'3" and 280 lbs but I do fit in my vettes, yes I will admit they could use a couple inches more leg and head room, but its not so cramped as to make it difficult to drive just a bit difficult to easily access

Yes Your a tall & Stout framed guy Grumpy.
Overweight No.
Your 1 inch taller than my best bud "Mopar Bob" near me.
He is 6' foot 2" inches tall. Maybe 250-260.
Hes strong as an Ox too.
Teaches Sunday School & a Conservative thinker likewise.
His mechanical gift in life is his ability to machine any piece of metal into a usable part & ability to troubleshoot & setup very difficult machining fixtures.
Good seats in a Musclecar- sports car Do make all the difference for driving comfort & fun to a bad time driving more than 20 miles at a time.
Bob likes the Recaro Seats in my 70 TA too.
Has been a while since I looked around for Recaro seats used.
Keep an eye out for You Grumpy. Do recall seeing a set for sale for $500 or so in the past needing upholstery redone.
The set of Recaro's I own have Tubular steel frames, real strong & fairly light. Mechanical seat tracks.
Seem to support many different body shapes & weights of all sizes just fine other than my own.
From ex's of petite size of 100lbs to another friend weighing 325lbs. No one ever complained of poor seating comfort from my Recaros. All loved them.
If your Son's 1992 seats are not comfortable there is no sense in keeping them. Find seats to your liking & of excellent driving comfort with very good support.

Brian

[87vette81big]

Looking on ebay Grumpy, all sellers advertising their seats as Recaros'....... most are not, china imitations.
The real thing is worth it.
Sat in other imitation Recaros.....no good & no thank you.

BR

[Jake_Dragon]

I have some after market seats in my Vette with no rails so they are sitting very low.
No adjustment but they fit my butt

If I ever replace them I have a set of Fiero seats that I will get reskined and install them.
Mr.Mike makes some nice leatherette
http://mrmikes.com/

I have a set of his seat covers in my Fiero and they are very high quality skins.

[DanZ51]

The issue is there is very little width for any aftermarket seat to in a C4 Vette. I can't remember exactly but the base is only 28" wide. That's why Corbeau A4 reclining sport seats are one of the very few that will fit. And that model Corbeaus is made for the non-portly audience. (They an extra short version of the A4 which I would recommend for anybody looking aftermarket).

I think your stuck with another year/style Vette seat, maybe a Fiero.

"You wear a C4".

[rh2469]

So let me ask...... Will C5 seats fit into a C4? Mine are ready for a makeover and I sure do like the C5 seats better than my C4.

[87vette81big]

I stuffed a Buudy of mine into the passenger seat of my 87 Vert a few years back.
"Mort" Weighed about 350lbs then.
His big azz fit into the Leather factory sport seat just fine.
His stomach almost touching the "Breadbox".

He cussed and complained feeling claustrophobic the entire time.
My Vette still burned rubber Ok despite all the extra ballast weight.

No one has ever tried installing Recaro seats into a C4 likely.
The vintage Recaros are not so wide.
Like used in 1981 Turbo T/A Recaro seat option birds.

BR

[blk2]

I looked up the aforementioned topic on this site, and found a number of available threads for consideration.

A couple of year's back, I seem to remember a similar discussion; and someone responded with the name and photos of a Canadian firm that did 'outstanding' quality seating.

Maybe, one of the members recall it and might add to the discussion.

[wildcatlock]

Originally Posted by rh2469

So let me ask...... Will C5 seats fit into a C4? Mine are ready for a makeover and I sure do like the C5 seats better than my C4.

Short answer is yes. Though I dont recall exactly how much work it was when I did it a few years ago. Now have some sparco's in mine now and they were alot of work to get installed ( different sliders and custom mounts ) and I am still not sure I totally like them. They look great but are still a bit high for me and I cant go any lower.