Yonaka Racing Seats Installed Pics and Installation Process
 

The following will just be sort of a visual DIY guide or just helpful visuals for the installation process of the Yonaka Racing Seats for the C5 Corvette. I have included some notes in the photos, so hopefully that helps. This will serve as a reference for those planning or thinking of replacing your seats.

See them in person! - I live in the San Francisco area, and basically anyone that would like to see how these are in the car in person and even test them out by sitting in them is welcome to. The final fitment and set up in the car are according to the photos shown below, so any other variations for installation will provide different space of course. Just email me instead of a PM: frank.ymlin@gmail.com.

Please excuse my elementary welding neatness, I have been self teaching and have not had too much practice. :hide:

I have had these installed for over 2 years now and they are still in excellent shape. There has not been any tears or rips and everything is still snug. I have the REAL LEATHER version of these seats.

NOTE: There are others who have installed these in a slightly different process, including cutting the interior trim pillar to relocate the seat belt retractor for more space to mount further back, and also another with a thinner mounting bracket that does not include the use of the stock feet brackets.

I have considered the thinner brackets after my fabrication because the end result is that it does sit about 3-4 inches higher than the stock seats, which would be uncomfortable for taller people. Also, for those taller than 5'8" or 5'9", I would recommend relocating the seat belt retractor in order to install these further back to get more leg room.

As for me, I am 5'7" and actually sit PERFECTLY comfortable in the seats with slightly improved front and side visibility due to the slightly higher seating. :thumbs:

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...Comparison.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...cTrimPiece.jpg

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http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...Comparison.jpg

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http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...ewBrackets.jpg

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http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...toCChannel.jpg

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Frank.

(Reserved)

the seats look very nice. Do you race or do you just like the look of those seats?

I like the look of the seats, but the major reason why I changed them out was because the previous seats were not working, cushions were beyond flat, and there were rips and tears in them. They were also bothering me with how much crap that seemed to be encrusted throughout them.

Now I actually have cushion for my butt.

I ordered these from Dennis will be installing once they arrive next week, where did you get this piece of metal from.. I see the sku on it so I assume a retailer..

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...ewBrackets.jpg

Nice work! What did you use to drill out the rivets that attach the stock mounting feet to the OEM seat brackets?

grind them off, thats all I did... worked like a charm... I just cant find the metal he used for the frame support I checked locally at home depot and lows

im 6'0 185lbs so I think that using the factory rails will put my knees in the steering wheel but well find outttt...

Super job and post thanks:thumbs:

Correct with getting the rivets out. I cleaned up any smaller bits of metal with a dremel to get the brackets off.

As for the metal, I did in fact get it at Home Depot. They have it with the area they usually keep the threaded metal rods, angle steel and aluminum metal pieces, flat metal, and such.

You may even have to go to more than one Home Depot and even try a Home Depot Pro location just to check in case they do not have enough in stock since these things dont get reordered so quickly.

Hope that helps.

Since you are 6' tall, I suggest probably even looking into cutting the plastic pillars covering the seat belt retractors and relocating that further back to get a little more legroom.

As for seat height, you should try to have the factory metal feet placed on top of the C-Channel metal and any other height reduction you see along the way for the seats to get you some more space.

The other option is using flat metal and none of the factory metal feet. Drill a hole for the rear mount location, get some 90 degree bends in front to mimic the original metal feet in front and then bolt down. This may give u an extra 2 inches of head and leg space.


Frank.

Nice job modifying them to work in your car. They look so much better than the stock seats.

my seats just came in and they look great. i got the white stitching and i cant be happier with them. i got them from Dennis w/ double din, and he's been a great help so far. i would definetly recommend using him. ill post up if i find anything diffrent in my install.

I ordered mine from him too they got here at 6pm and right now both brackets are made driver is a flat bracket with no riser but seats will not fit with out removing factory belts... I am installing harness bar to fix this, I also cut and tac welded seats for more room no biggie for me though
will post pictures as available

passenger seat done, hardest part is marking holes on bracket for slider with the seat in the car... holes have to be 14 1/4" apart but too far one way or the other and seat won't match up... I used the factory brackets on passenger side and see what everyone means with it being taller, my head is inch or so from top, good thing my girlfriend is 5'6" 110 bc it fits her... she is not happy with wearing ''5 point but she will get used to It lol or walk''

:iagree:Very nicehttp://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...rican_flag.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/o..._3222474_n.jpg

sorry it took so long to upload ONE CELL PHONE PICTURE.. but they are installed and I LOVE THEM!!! Will have better pictures tomorrow once I get out the EOS

looks so snuggly! haha - Cant wait to see the pair photo.

Work has been INSANE, I got the pictures taken just need to upload them, so project tonight and tomorrow is that :))