Race seat options
06-26-2006, 07:45 PM
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Race seat options
I need something fairly easy to install/uninstall as I still drive the car a lot on the street. It needs to be adjustable front to back since two of us drive my car at most events. Where should I start and what should I look for and look to avoid?
06-26-2006, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
I need something fairly easy to install/uninstall as I still drive the car a lot on the street. It needs to be adjustable front to back since two of us drive my car at most events. Where should I start and what should I look for and look to avoid?
Chasing any particular goals?
BTW
06-26-2006, 08:42 PM
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As you are about to discover, your seat choice is small due to limited space. I mounted a Corbeau Forza, with sliding mount. It allows the use of the OE belt as well as my six point harness. Most seats will not allow maintaining the bottom OE belt mount on the outboard side, and some have no provision for the male bracket on the inboard side. The Corbeau is a steel-frame seat with fabric center. It is not a seat I would consider for competition, but for DE use it is satisfactory, and has proper provision for shoulder and sub belts, so I can also use my HANS device.
06-27-2006, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by M14
As you are about to discover, your seat choice is small due to limited space. I mounted a Corbeau Forza, with sliding mount. It allows the use of the OE belt as well as my six point harness. Most seats will not allow maintaining the bottom OE belt mount on the outboard side, and some have no provision for the male bracket on the inboard side. The Corbeau is a steel-frame seat with fabric center. It is not a seat I would consider for competition, but for DE use it is satisfactory, and has proper provision for shoulder and sub belts, so I can also use my HANS device.
http://www.corbeau.com/products/forza/forza.shtml
Does it have a hole for a sub-belt?
06-27-2006, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
06-28-2006, 09:26 AM
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These would be closer to the "insane" price (about $1500 - 1900 each) but I installed a set and they mount on the stock seat tracks so they would basically work the same as the stock seats yet they are much more ridged and look great.
They are made by Caravaggio
You can get the stiching and seat back any color you want. Plus it's leather, insane price yes but still just as functional as stock, except they don't fold forward.
They are made by Caravaggio
You can get the stiching and seat back any color you want. Plus it's leather, insane price yes but still just as functional as stock, except they don't fold forward.
06-28-2006, 01:36 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
I just received my Corbeau FX1 Pro with their double-locking slider. I can tell you that you need a 34" waist to fit in it. I'm 6' and about 165lbs. The fit feels real good. Otherwise for 36" and up get the Forza or Forza II (for the real portly boys).
I'm installing it tonight for a test run. If you get Corbeau with the slider make sure you order the double-locking one. Now I see it I can understand why. It's about a $10-$15 upgrade. The sliding mount is $99. This is per side. The seat was $299.
Seat bolts to the slider with bolts that come in the seat. Took 10 mins with a helper to jockey the slider. Shouldn't take more than an hour to do the install in the car. You could use a 5-point or 6-point with it. The hole is plenty big enough for either style sub strap. The mount has a threaded stud that is on the inboard side to mount your factory seat belt and the inboard harness (the part of the belts that have the release mechanism).
I'm installing it tonight for a test run. If you get Corbeau with the slider make sure you order the double-locking one. Now I see it I can understand why. It's about a $10-$15 upgrade. The sliding mount is $99. This is per side. The seat was $299.
Seat bolts to the slider with bolts that come in the seat. Took 10 mins with a helper to jockey the slider. Shouldn't take more than an hour to do the install in the car. You could use a 5-point or 6-point with it. The hole is plenty big enough for either style sub strap. The mount has a threaded stud that is on the inboard side to mount your factory seat belt and the inboard harness (the part of the belts that have the release mechanism).
06-28-2006, 02:23 PM
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carravagio seats
Originally Posted by 96CollectorSport
These would be closer to the "insane" price (about $1500 - 1900 each) but I installed a set and they mount on the stock seat tracks so they would basically work the same as the stock seats yet they are much more ridged and look great.
They are made by Caravaggio
You can get the stiching and seat back any color you want. Plus it's leather, insane price yes but still just as functional as stock, except they don't fold forward.
They are made by Caravaggio
You can get the stiching and seat back any color you want. Plus it's leather, insane price yes but still just as functional as stock, except they don't fold forward.
johnny
06-28-2006, 03:00 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by racerwannabe
i have 2 red and black seats ,,didn't fit me ...will let go for 1k, paid more than 2..
johnny
johnny
You have a PM. First in line.
Steve
06-28-2006, 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by vms4evr
. I can tell you that you need a 34" waist to fit in it. I'm 6' and about 165lbs. The fit feels real good.
Which explains why the stock C5 seat feels like a bench seat to me. 
06-28-2006, 06:39 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
Good thing I'm a 33. Which explains why the stock C5 seat feels like a bench seat to me.
Which explains why the stock C5 seat feels like a bench seat to me. 
06-28-2006, 06:41 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
Good thing I'm a 33. Which explains why the stock C5 seat feels like a bench seat to me.
Which explains why the stock C5 seat feels like a bench seat to me. With a 33" waist you could fit in the FX1 Pro and it would be a good fit. I have a 32" inseam and the seating position and support under and side of the legs feels good.
I'll be testing it over the 4th at VIR. We'll see how it goes...
06-28-2006, 07:03 PM
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Originally Posted by vms4evr
Yeah even with 5-point harness on the stock seat my boney little butt wants to move around. My left foot goes from clutch to push-like-hell on the dead pedal to hang on in hard turns. ..
07-08-2006, 09:29 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
Update:
So I installed the FX1 Pro. It fits in the car no problem against the inside. The edge of the extended shoulder area just touches the door panel near the top. Not a big deal. It came with a post to connect your factory belt on the inside. I have the RD Racing Harness Bar. So it is a little bit of a struggle getting the downbar over the rear bolt. The slider from Corbeau is made of heavier and thicker metal than the factory seat base. Definetely get the double locking slider if you use one. You can wrap the substrap around the frame on the seat slider. It's pretty solid.
As far as fit and comfort. If you get the FX1 Pro you really do need to have a small frame and 34" or less waist. The fit is tight in the thigh area. Shoulder area is more open. Height works just fine. Once I got buckled in to my 5-point I was planted. I wish the sides where it locks your legs was just an inch or two higher. But I never slammed my knees on the door or console all weekend. As far as comfort goes. Well I guess it is comfortable for a race seat. I don't think I'll complain about my stock seats comfort again
It is something to get used to. I'm not sure I could or would drive 6hrs straight to RR or RA in it.
Now the angle it seats you at with the slider is not optimum. I found I was not tilted back enough and didn't get enough support under my legs with the front pad. It feels flat or actually tilted down when you sit in it. But looking at it, it isn't. I'm ordering the aluminum universal style so I can get the angle set the way I want. The seat can be mounted by its bottom or sides. It also has a bolt in the back that you could connect a bar to it and a rollbar to sturdy the seat back.
For a seat that costs $300 I'm pretty happy with it.
Graham
So I installed the FX1 Pro. It fits in the car no problem against the inside. The edge of the extended shoulder area just touches the door panel near the top. Not a big deal. It came with a post to connect your factory belt on the inside. I have the RD Racing Harness Bar. So it is a little bit of a struggle getting the downbar over the rear bolt. The slider from Corbeau is made of heavier and thicker metal than the factory seat base. Definetely get the double locking slider if you use one. You can wrap the substrap around the frame on the seat slider. It's pretty solid.
As far as fit and comfort. If you get the FX1 Pro you really do need to have a small frame and 34" or less waist. The fit is tight in the thigh area. Shoulder area is more open. Height works just fine. Once I got buckled in to my 5-point I was planted. I wish the sides where it locks your legs was just an inch or two higher. But I never slammed my knees on the door or console all weekend. As far as comfort goes. Well I guess it is comfortable for a race seat. I don't think I'll complain about my stock seats comfort again
It is something to get used to. I'm not sure I could or would drive 6hrs straight to RR or RA in it. Now the angle it seats you at with the slider is not optimum. I found I was not tilted back enough and didn't get enough support under my legs with the front pad. It feels flat or actually tilted down when you sit in it. But looking at it, it isn't. I'm ordering the aluminum universal style so I can get the angle set the way I want. The seat can be mounted by its bottom or sides. It also has a bolt in the back that you could connect a bar to it and a rollbar to sturdy the seat back.
For a seat that costs $300 I'm pretty happy with it.
Graham
09-06-2006, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 96CollectorSport
These would be closer to the "insane" price (about $1500 - 1900 each) but I installed a set and they mount on the stock seat tracks so they would basically work the same as the stock seats yet they are much more ridged and look great.
They are made by Caravaggio
You can get the stiching and seat back any color you want. Plus it's leather, insane price yes but still just as functional as stock, except they don't fold forward.
They are made by Caravaggio
You can get the stiching and seat back any color you want. Plus it's leather, insane price yes but still just as functional as stock, except they don't fold forward.
can the tilt angle be adjusted on these seats? they look tilted back pretty far, the steering wheel all the way up? do you sit higher than stock? i have a 07 z06 and am looking for seats...
thank you in advance
JD
09-06-2006, 02:49 PM
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Do make sure the seat fits you snuggly and seat bolsters that come up past your rib cage, not next to it. Your ribs are point of impact if you go sidewaise into anything. If you can slide side to side the seat is tooo big
Just because it looks good and is made of leather does not mean it is a good seat.
The best race seats are NOT leather, but cloth over carbon fiber / fiber glass or aluminum.
It is a challange when there are two differnt ppl using the same seat.
Sit in lots of seats before you buy.
Seat position:
Up close and personal is best for competitive driving. Much differnt then DD
Sit in your seat, hang your wrists over the steeting wheel at 11 and 1 o'clock
There should be a 90* bend in your elbows
Now put your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock for driving.
When you steer or trun, pull the steering wheel down, not push over the top.
exp. a right turn
pull the steering wheel down with your right arm, not push the steering wheel over the top with the left arm
What does steering have to do with a seat??
Support, easy of driving, turning, control, then comfort.
Good Luck
Just because it looks good and is made of leather does not mean it is a good seat.
The best race seats are NOT leather, but cloth over carbon fiber / fiber glass or aluminum.
It is a challange when there are two differnt ppl using the same seat.
Sit in lots of seats before you buy.
Seat position:
Up close and personal is best for competitive driving. Much differnt then DD
Sit in your seat, hang your wrists over the steeting wheel at 11 and 1 o'clock
There should be a 90* bend in your elbows
Now put your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock for driving.
When you steer or trun, pull the steering wheel down, not push over the top.
exp. a right turn
pull the steering wheel down with your right arm, not push the steering wheel over the top with the left arm
What does steering have to do with a seat??
Support, easy of driving, turning, control, then comfort.
Good Luck
Last edited by AU N EGL; 09-06-2006 at 02:54 PM.
09-06-2006, 06:39 PM
#20
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can the tilt angle be adjusted on these seats? they look tilted back pretty far, the steering wheel all the way up? do you sit higher than stock? i have a 07 z06 and am looking for seats...
thank you in advance
JD
thank you in advance
JD
Ease of use vs maximum saftey is a decision you will have to make. Either way it's better than the stock seats!