New seats in the C5 - Corbeau Evolution X
Discussion
I’ve wanted to replace my seats for some time as the existing ones really let the car down and I liked the look of the Corbeau Evolution X but shipping them from a US vendor to the UK was at least $800 with taxes on top. I contacted Corbeau (UK) and they were able to provide them at a much cheaper price point. First off, I can’t believe the weight of the stock seats with the electric motors, man they are heavy! My old seats were completely shot - worn, cracked leather and collapsed bolsters, they looked and felt tired and very dated.
The whole job was relatively painless although we did have to burr out a couple of the bolt holes on the rear of the frames as they didn’t quite line up, we also found that once the seats were snugged tight to the frames the runners were binding making any movement very difficult, a couple of washers between the rear frame holes and the seat solved the problem. They bolted straight into the car with out any drama with the whole job taking about two hours and I have to say I am really pleased with the result. They look like they belong, particularly with the red stitching, and we didn’t have to make any height or recline adjustments with washers as the seating position is spot on (for me anyway).
Corbeau have got this absolutely right in my opinion as the fixed back was always my concern with buying sight unseen. The new seats sit slightly lower in the car but it is negligible and there is still room for a crash helmet, the seat is much firmer than the stock ones, but the biggest difference is at the waist and shoulders, you can feel the support without it being intrusive or uncomfortable. As an aside, they sit slightly lower this make it easier to get in and out of the car without rubbing the bolsters.
Driving the car was an absolute pleasure, for the first time I felt really connected and the lateral support makes a huge difference to the driving experience.
Old and tired, a bit like their owner.
Side by side comparison, there are no frames on the new seat and the backs are higher in the car.
Old vs new
The finished article. Lush.
The whole job was relatively painless although we did have to burr out a couple of the bolt holes on the rear of the frames as they didn’t quite line up, we also found that once the seats were snugged tight to the frames the runners were binding making any movement very difficult, a couple of washers between the rear frame holes and the seat solved the problem. They bolted straight into the car with out any drama with the whole job taking about two hours and I have to say I am really pleased with the result. They look like they belong, particularly with the red stitching, and we didn’t have to make any height or recline adjustments with washers as the seating position is spot on (for me anyway).
Corbeau have got this absolutely right in my opinion as the fixed back was always my concern with buying sight unseen. The new seats sit slightly lower in the car but it is negligible and there is still room for a crash helmet, the seat is much firmer than the stock ones, but the biggest difference is at the waist and shoulders, you can feel the support without it being intrusive or uncomfortable. As an aside, they sit slightly lower this make it easier to get in and out of the car without rubbing the bolsters.
Driving the car was an absolute pleasure, for the first time I felt really connected and the lateral support makes a huge difference to the driving experience.
Old and tired, a bit like their owner.
Side by side comparison, there are no frames on the new seat and the backs are higher in the car.
Old vs new
The finished article. Lush.
Very tidy! And you can still use the seatbelt properly, which is nice.
Is the hinge on your centre console lid broken or is it just a shadow? If it's bust the hinge can be bought on its own for not too much money. Had to replace mine a few years back. Tip to C5 owners: keep it well lubricated!
Is the hinge on your centre console lid broken or is it just a shadow? If it's bust the hinge can be bought on its own for not too much money. Had to replace mine a few years back. Tip to C5 owners: keep it well lubricated!
PHCorvette said:
ColinGr said:
Comfort and fit is really good. If you are anywhere near Hertfordshire you're more than welcome to try them.
Hi Colin,sorry for jumping on this offer but considering a swap in my z06 so if I could be cheeky it would be great to try before I buy.
Another vote for the Corbeaus here...........
In my C6 with Vetteworks Harness bar and Crow 6 points...........
Worth seconds a lap over the old seats that you sit ON not IN................and I ain't exaggerating! I did not enjoy trackdays in the original seats jamming my left leg against the door between changes for support.
Love the red stitching Col, really matches the rest of the trim!
In my C6 with Vetteworks Harness bar and Crow 6 points...........
Worth seconds a lap over the old seats that you sit ON not IN................and I ain't exaggerating! I did not enjoy trackdays in the original seats jamming my left leg against the door between changes for support.
Love the red stitching Col, really matches the rest of the trim!
You can get airbag simulators...........
http://www.vetteworksonline.net/catalog/product_in...
Also, if you have telescoping wheel and memory for the mirrors etc you can put a portion of the harness from the seat back in the car to keep these functions. It sounds much harder than it is tbh.
I did a couple of ten hour drives (Vegas to Laguna Seca and back) in the Corbeaus and I won't lie I would have preferred the stockers that day! However, I daily drove the C6 in the States, 50 miles there and back each day and had no probs at all with them.
The next step up is a set of bespoke Carravagios which would set you back 4 times as much I'm pretty sure. Maybe a worthwhile mod in a ZR1 but my 05 coupe is happy with it's lot
http://www.vetteworksonline.net/catalog/product_in...
Also, if you have telescoping wheel and memory for the mirrors etc you can put a portion of the harness from the seat back in the car to keep these functions. It sounds much harder than it is tbh.
I did a couple of ten hour drives (Vegas to Laguna Seca and back) in the Corbeaus and I won't lie I would have preferred the stockers that day! However, I daily drove the C6 in the States, 50 miles there and back each day and had no probs at all with them.
The next step up is a set of bespoke Carravagios which would set you back 4 times as much I'm pretty sure. Maybe a worthwhile mod in a ZR1 but my 05 coupe is happy with it's lot
Thanks for the heads up. The issue I have with the stock seats even in a zed is they offer so much comfort so long a you are going in a straight line. I wonder if I could actually modify the stock foam to have larger bolster areas, might be an option to look in to whilst retaining the stock set up. My other issue with the stock set up is how there appears to be no rigid strength in the rear of the seats as they seem to flop forward quite a bit (but are sturdy)
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