Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

GaryK · 01-02-2005, 08:06 PM

Who uses race seats in their daily driven Z? I was planning to try the stock seats on the track, but I'm already thinking they aren't going to be good enough. I already have a couple of brand new Forzas I bought a while back. And I already have BK harness bar and mounts, with Simpson harnesses, in the car.

I thought about trying the stock seats before installing race seats, but maybe I'll go ahead and put the Forzas in. Just looking for feedback from people that use them on the street...often. I have used a race seat in a daily driver before (RX7tt), and it wasn't too bad but was a pain at times. Of course, that car was a little tighter inside than a Z06 and it didn't have a tilt wheel either.

Arnoldir · 01-02-2005, 08:29 PM

Hello GaryK,

This is my good weather daily driver.

I looked for the strongest and safest seat and came up with Cobra Suzuka Technology made of CF with slow response confor foam. Advertised as exceeding FIA standards by 3x.

Seats are GT width (38" waist) so they have to be set about 1" to the left of center. The seat is against the console, and the upper left leaves a dent in the door panel, but it fits. The builder Phoenix Perf made the brackets and set them up.

After the first few minutes in the car you actually sink into the seat as it warms up, most comfortable thing I've ever sat in.

I doubt they would work with stock belts, unless you threaded the lap belt through the seat on it's way back to the retractor.

DBarbosa · 01-02-2005, 08:33 PM

Those are some great looking seats.

Darwin.

Subdriver · 01-02-2005, 10:20 PM

Gary,
I have the same seat as pictured above. Before having my car fully prepped for SCCA T1, much like the one pictured above, I did put my seat in for track use (DEs) and used it while doing daily driving. I found the seat to get a little tiring sliding down into and climbing out of, particularly in my uniform. I ended up getting a harbar mount for the Cobra seat and swapping it in and out only for track days and using the stock seat the rest of the time.

However, on the track, I love my seat and can't imagine not having a track seat.

In hindsight, if I were to get a race seat with the intention of using it as a daily driver, I would probably get something without the high thigh bolsters so it is easier to get in and out of. But that would be a compromise on the track...

Z06Machine · 01-02-2005, 11:53 PM

Install your Forza's. It's an easy job to swap. Mine has the Corbeau track for adjustment. The lower bolster is a tad high , but you will find these seats on the tracks will slide back way further that stock. They also sit lower than stock leaving extra helmet room. I am 6' 218 and all is good. I left them in since Late October and actually like driving with them now, the lateral support is very good ( Feels like it should ). If you are real tall remove the cushion and sit in it, you sink right in and head room galore. My 6' 10.5" buddy can now drive my Z ( he is excited).

Pm if you have any questions...glad to help

GaryK · 01-03-2005, 04:51 AM

Thanks for the input guys. I'm 6'2", so I don't think I'll have trouble with helmet/head room. And I actually find race seats to be pretty comfortable usually. Never have used the Forzas before, but they seem to fit me pretty well testing them out of the car. I guess the main concern is getting in and out of the car with the race seats.

I doubt I'll be wanting to switch seats out just for a track day, but I might get the Corbeau seat track for the drivers side and try it out for a while. If it looks like I'll be able to live with it then I'll put the passenger side in too. Of course, there is still the issue of using the stock seat belts on the street. I definitely won't use the race seats if I can't make the stock belts work on the street. I really don't want to strap the harness on every time I get in the car.

Chris Holmes · 01-03-2005, 05:23 AM

I've got the Caravaggio race seats in mine, and use the car every day. They are fine. The only problem I have is getting out of the things, as the sides are quite high, compared to the stock seats. No real problems to be honest.

**Tom Fuscaldo** · 01-03-2005, 05:43 AM

Not sure what brand they are but I drove RobZ's car for an hour on New Year's Eve and thought his racing seat was very comfortable....

PowerPro01 · 01-03-2005, 07:30 AM

Corbeau offers the Forza with an optional inflatible lumbar adjuster, which makes daily driving, or in our case "marathon" driving, MUCH more pleasant. Also, the optional aluminum belt slots cut down (no pun intended) on wear in those areas. Two sizes are offered as well, so your butt will fit the bucket...

Z06Machine · 01-07-2005, 10:14 PM

Note: you can mount the BK belt clips with the stock seat belts on the Forzas. I use my stock seat belts without issue for around town driving.

I leave the shoulder belts tucked behind the seat.

I use a six point so the sub belt and lap belts are stored in the Crow box in the trunk when driving in town.

I made a mount for my hot lap timer to attach to the BK bar on the drivers side. I made it out of Alum sheet. I used the velcro to mount the timer eye to the bracket and just un plug and stick the timer in the trunk when coming back from the track.

The wire tucks under the console and feeds through the ash tray to the display. The display will wedge in the ash tray opening without any attaching device ( solid as a rock ).

The cup holder door still opens but you can't shut the ash tray door. It would fit very nice and the ash tray door would close, but I chose not to cut on the car.

There are better seats than the Forza, but these do fit and are one of the few that are FIA approved at a reasonable price.

GaryK · 01-08-2005, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z06Machine

Note: you can mount the BK belt clips with the stock seat belts on the Forzas. I use my stock seat belts without issue for around town driving.
.....

There are better seats than the Forza, but these do fit and are one of the few that are FIA approved at a reasonable price.

Thanks for the info. So are you using the Forza with the Corbeau slider mount then? Do the stock seat belts fit tightly against you when using the Forza?

I agree, the Forza is pretty good bang for the buck. I came across a deal on new ones for a lower than normal price, which is why I went ahead and got them.

Z06Machine · 01-08-2005, 12:13 PM

Imo the stock belts fit good enough for me, not as perfect as stock for some.

Why?...... the way the stock belt clip at the tunnel sits, will end up resting against the frame of the lower part of the seat.

All the race seats have this issue when using our factory belt snap in thingy. Look at the stock seat where the upper and lower seats attach. The belt attach is positioned right in the crease spot where the seat would fold forward.

Look at the race seat and it does not fold. The frame of the race seat has a bar that runs diagonal at this very spot.

The best way to describe it is : latch your stock belt and it will sit against the whole seat without much gap. Latch it with a race seat and it will ride over the frame rails or moulding of the seat. End result is there is a gap. Your body takes up this space when you sit in the seat, if you were real skinny then there may be an issue at your right hip with a gap.

To resolve the issue you could.

Cut a slit between the frame rails on the Forza and tuck the factory belt attachment through. It's kinda stiff, so I may be tempted to remove the outer plastic shell ( makes it more flexible )or find one from another car. I would then have a trim shop sew the slit so it looks good.

It depends on how big you are. I am 6' 218 and it fits fine. If I were 6' 165 it would not work as well.

Sounds like you bought the seats without the slider. I tried the Forza 2 first and it would not fit. Had to send it back at a loss and re-order. What color are yours?.

Not sure what kind of belt bar you have, But I have the BK and swapping the seat is about a ten min job. Easy to work with, no big deal ( toss a towel over the kick rail on the side just in case, when removing it ).

The stock drivers seat ways 38.5lbs with track. The Forza weights 22.5 with track. Just like losing 16lbs for us husky guys. The pass side stock seat will weigh less without the power gear so you may only see a savings of 8lbs ( guessing ). 24lbs is a nice savings IMO. It offsets the additional weight of the harness bar and belts you will add.

I saved the Forza box and just cut out the bottom and slide it over the top of the Z seat or Forza so it dosen't get dusty sitting in the garage.

If your stuck just PM me with a number and I'll walk you through it.

GaryK · 01-08-2005, 02:03 PM

I'm just gathering info right now. I'll be able to get the seats in there with no trouble, but I won't be swapping back and forth. I used to have a garage and plenty of storage space, now I have one parking spot and practically no storage space that is convenient.

I might just have to try it out and see how well the stock belts fit. I'm 6'2" and about 200 lbs. so I may or may not have the same luck with the stock seat belt. The problem you're talking about with the belts is exactly what I am worried about. And I don't want to put one on the passenger side and have the belt not fit properly on the hot chick in the passenger seat either

. Safety first!

Right now I have the BK harness bar and lap belt brackets.

GaryK · 01-08-2005, 02:08 PM

I'm actually at the shop where I have my Forzas stored, so I just got one down off the shelf. When I sit in it, it seems that the seat belt will fit ok. So I think I'll get the slider and mount this thing before I go to the track.

BTW, mine are solid black. I originally bought them to put in my Camaro, so I have the sliders for that. I'll just need to buy the slider(s) and I'll be good to go.

Z06Machine · 01-09-2005, 01:57 PM

Your lap times will improve with the new found grip in your seat. At 6'2" you will also enjoy the additional leg room. Try taking out he bottom cushion and sitting in it if you want to sit even lower. It actually feels pretty good, you would swear you butt is an inch from the ground.

I think LG sells the brackets now, but I got mine from a vendor on LS1.com as LG didn't have them yet.