Switching out Seats

[vermatrix]

So I am going to be aquiring my first ZR1, probaly a 1990-1992 or so with higher miles due to my 20K or less budget.

Problem is, I am a BIG guy, I need alot of hip room. Those sport seats on the 90-92 wont do. But I have sat in the 95-06 styles and plenty of room there.

So my question is, whats the best way to switch those out? Will the Cusions and Covers from the wider bolstered 96 seat fit on the 90-92 seat backs?

Thanks

:saluting:

[EvanZR1]

Not positive, but pretty sure you'll have to change the entire seat. You'll need to rewire the connector, either on the car side or seat side (or just make entirely new connectors on both sides). The seats themselves will physically fit and mount up just fine. For that matter, I've even seen people do C6 seats in the C4 with minor fab work on the seat brackets.

[Paul Workman]

94 or 95 sport seats will be your best option. Or, like me, installed 95 base seats (and love them!). I had to give up the lumbar adjustment, but I never missed it even on long trips!

Jason @ Vette2Vette.com is where I got my seats.

[vermatrix]

94 or 95 sport seats will be your best option. Or, like me, installed 95 base seats (and love them!). I had to give up the lumbar adjustment, but I never missed it even on long trips!

Jason @ Vette2Vette.com is where I got my seats.

Did you just replace the seat foam and cover? or did you have to replace the entire seat assembly also?

what I am looking for is how is it done, or where can I go to get it done.

Thanks

[Demps]

Or just buy a ‘94 and you have it all.
Ted

[Paul Workman]

Did you just replace the seat foam and cover? or did you have to replace the entire seat assembly also?

what I am looking for is how is it done, or where can I go to get it done.

Thanks

Seat cushion comes right off
4 bolts hold the seat to the track.
Disconnect the wire harness and pull the old seat out. Couple minutes apiece to swap seats. EASY PLEASY!

[-=Jeff=-]

To go from the 90-93 to 94-95 seats you need to replace the frame as well. Looks Paul said remove bottom cushion and unbolt the current seat from the track and install the 94-later seat in its place.

If you want to keep the sport function with newer seats there is a bit more involved

[EvanZR1]

I had to give up the lumbar adjustment, but I never missed it even on long trips!

I've never used the lumbar adjustment on any of the C4s I've owned. The C4 seats were good enough that you don't really need it.

[vermatrix]

Do the 94-96 seat cusions fit in the 1991 seat box? If I took out the sport seats in the 1991 and replaced them with the 1994-1996 standard seats, would that be a problem for the electronics? I would not need the sport seat functions, I think the normal functions from the car would be fine?

[Paul Workman]

Do the 94-96 seat cusions fit in the 1991 seat box? If I took out the sport seats in the 1991 and replaced them with the 1994-1996 standard seats, would that be a problem for the electronics? I would not need the sport seat functions, I think the normal functions from the car would be fine?

Again... if all you want is standard seats and (like me) you don't care about the lumbar bladder or bolster except to NOT have them cutting off circulation in your legs (I'm 6 foot, 240lbs), you're gonna love the standard 95 seats.

Believe me, remove the seat cushion to access the 4 bolt on the track. Remove them and disconnect the harness, and lift out the sport seat and replace them with the std seats and reinsert the 4 bolts holding the seat frame to the track. Install the bottom cushion to complete the swap and begin enjoying your std seats. (One of the best mods I've done on my 90 and my wife's 91 ZR-1s!

[Ccmano]

Again... if all you want is standard seats and (like me) you don't care about the lumbar bladder or bolster except to NOT have them cutting off circulation in your legs (I'm 6 foot, 240lbs), you're gonna love the standard 95 seats.

Believe me, remove the seat cushion to access the 4 bolt on the track. Remove them and disconnect the harness, and lift out the sport seat and replace them with the std seats and reinsert the 4 bolts holding the seat frame to the track. Install the bottom cushion to complete the swap and begin enjoying your std seats. (One of the best mods I've done on my 90 and my wife's 91 ZR-1s!

Paul,
How did you wire the seat? The only real problem I see is the control of the seat back angle. On the earlier sport seats it controlled with a switch on the bolster. I’m looking at this mod myself.
H
:cheers:

[EvanZR1]

Later seats have a manual adjuster at the front left on the seat base.

[EvanZR1]

Here's an Ebay listing that has good pics and is actually a decent deal. Looks like you'd reuse your existing base with these, so you wouldn't even need to rewire the foreward/back wiring harness.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1993-CORVETTE-STANDARD-SEATS-BLACK-COMPLETE-GOOD-CONDITION-C4/193004790143

[vermatrix]

its problematic finding the 1994-1996 standard seats as complete units, do you have a link for them? Its easy to find the cusions and or covers, and some of them are pictured as complete seats, but are not. Thanks for your help !!

[Paul Workman]

Paul,
How did you wire the seat? The only real problem I see is the control of the seat back angle. On the earlier sport seats it controlled with a switch on the bolster. I’m looking at this mod myself.
H
:cheers:

I'll look again and let you know for sure, but it is a MANUAL adjustment - a little lever near the corner of the seat, if I recall correctly.

Marc Haibeck commented one time about how comfortable/nice my Z was to drive with those STD seats in it. I'd have to agree! (We put std seats in Ami's Z as well. Love um!)

[-=Jeff=-]

I did the swap but did 94 sport seats but used the 94 base seat design. I really like these. I also have a set of 1990 sport seats but they need to be redone.. what I do them I will make them like the 1992.. controls on one side and manual recline by swapping the bases and recline mechanisms

[BigJohn]

Are C5 seats to large?

[Paul Workman]

I did the swap but did 94 sport seats but used the 94 base seat design. I really like these. I also have a set of 1990 sport seats but they need to be redone.. what I do them I will make them like the 1992.. controls on one side and manual recline by swapping the bases and recline mechanisms

Your seats take the prize, Jeff!:cheers:

[Locobob]

Are C5 seats to large?


They'll fit, I've seen it done, but you lose head room.

I've driven a lot of C4's and the base seats from 94-96 are the most comfortable and likely the best option for larger people.